Iam new,hello!+need advice

daniel · Apr 18, 2004

Hello all!
I am Daniel, a new member living in London with my cat Hoover. I really like your site and it has been very helpful. I was hoping that I could get information on indoor cats if possible - either direct advice from here or any links. Hoover, my cat has had a rough upbringing. I got her from a cat protection home 5-6 years ago. She is very very shy but has gained more confidence especially with me. However my flat is small and I was wondering if it is a good idea to take her to the park 2-3 times pw on a lead whilst I sit and read/watch? Or/ And does anyone know of any ideas to keep indoors cats happy and not become to bored - which I fear is happening to my cat. I play ball etc with her up to 30 min - 1 hour most days but would like to do more as she is my flatmate and friend. Any advice most welcome.
Thanks
Daniel and Hoover

cilla · Apr 18, 2004

Hi Daniel, welcome to TCS. You could get her some toys with catnip in, like fluffy mice etc. They also love to climb you could get a cat tree and scratching post. I'm sure you will get a lot of suggestions coming your way. You have come to the right site.

valanhb · Apr 18, 2004

Welcome to the site Daniel & Hoover!

Many of us here have indoor only cats and I'm sure you will get a ton of suggestions.

I'll move this to the Behavior Forum so you can get more answers to your question.

First, I would suggest this excellent article by the site's founder and a cat behaviorist, Anne Moss: Tips for Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy

Enjoy your time here, and I'm sure we can help with your concerns about Hoover.

lotsocats · Apr 18, 2004

Indoor cats love having a cat tree they can climb on and on which they can sit way up high.

Also, cats love cardboard boxes. Find a large box and cut a couple of entrance/exit holes in the box. Put a couple of ping-pong balls inside and then watch the hysterics.

You might also consider bringing her a kitty companion. Having a feline friend to help her pass the time might make her a happier kitty. If you decide to do this, let us know before you adopt the new cat so we can help you do a successful introduction.

Regarding taking Hoover on walks. Some cats really enjoy this and others find it quite frightening. Given Hoover's temperament, I suspect that this might be very stressful for her. I'll be interested to see what others have to say about this.

By the way....Bravo to you for rescuing this needy kitty!

jcat · Apr 18, 2004

Originally Posted by Daniel

Hello all!
I am Daniel, a new member living in London with my cat Hoover. I really like your site and it has been very helpful. I was hoping that I could get information on indoor cats if possible - either direct advice from here or any links. Hoover, my cat has had a rough upbringing. I got her from a cat protection home 5-6 years ago. She is very very shy but has gained more confidence especially with me. However my flat is small and I was wondering if it is a good idea to take her to the park 2-3 times pw on a lead whilst I sit and read/watch? Or/ And does anyone know of any ideas to keep indoors cats happy and not become to bored - which I fear is happening to my cat. I play ball etc with her up to 30 min - 1 hour most days but would like to do more as she is my flatmate and friend. Any advice most welcome.
Thanks
Daniel and Hoover

Hi, Daniel, and welcome! We have an indoor cat, 5 this month, who doesn't like other cats. I take him for a walk in the garden every day, and sometimes out in front of the house. I started training him to a lead indoors, when he was about 4 months old. If Hoover accepts a harness and lead, it might be a welcome change for her. It's important to find a harness that she can't slip out of in case she panics, and you might want to take some kind of carrier (perhaps a soft "Sherpa bag") with you to the park in case she gets scared. And definitely take something to read! I have two retractable leads : one is 3 meters long, the other 5 meters. Since JC is rather large, I use an adjustable dog harness, and make sure it's a snug fit.
Other things we've done for JC are screening several windows with "cat net" and putting window perches there (and a bird feeder outside that he can watch), screening in a balcony for him, and getting him a ceiling high cat tree. Since your flat is small, you could "enlarge" it vertically by putting "cat walks" along some walls - try a DYI shop for shelving, if the ready-made cat walks aren't available or are too expensive. Friends of ours with indoor cats don't have a balcony, so they made a "cat balcony" out of plywood and chicken wire which fits into one of their windows (their flat is on the second floor, and not too accessible to burglars).

baileyswild · Apr 19, 2004

welcome daniel and hoover i have to agree a cat tree would be a good idea since most cats like to climb and look over things also motorized cat toys can be fun for her and you to watch also the lead is a good idea if she accepts it

gold2k · Apr 20, 2004

Daniel said:
Hello all!

Hi Daniel and Hoover,
what makes you think Hoover is bored? I understand how you feel, as I felt that way also with Gracie.

If you take him to a park, it should be on a cat leash. He could run off, and when cats run, it's nearly impossible to catch them.
Judy and Gracie

daniel · Apr 25, 2004

Hello everyone!
Thank you for the replies on keeping an indoor cat happy. I am now collecting old boxes and cutting holes in them. My cat Hoover really likes them despite the mess - but it's great. Before I go to work - I place several boxes in the lounge arranged in different patterns and have toys in them - and she is really happy. This is great, as I only work part - time but I did think that she was bored on her own. I am also saving and will buy soon a cat tree and harness instead of collar as well. Summer is almost here in London and the park is very near me. So we hopefully can both enjoy the park - yeah! Thanks for the advice - will keep ya posted on her first outing - fingers crossed.
Daniel and Hoover

mom of franz · Apr 25, 2004

Hi Daniel and Hoover..WELCOME!

DANIEL I'M CURIOUS ABOUT PET NAMES...

Did you name Hoover after the former U.S FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover, the former depression era U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, or the vacuum cleaner? I'm hoping for the vacuum cleaner

. Or was there another inspiration?

jcat · Apr 25, 2004

Originally Posted by Mom of Franz

Hi Daniel and Hoover..WELCOME!

DANIEL I'M CURIOUS ABOUT PET NAMES...

Did you name Hoover after the former U.S FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover, the former depression era U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, or the vacuum cleaner? I'm hoping for the vacuum cleaner

. Or was there another inspiration?

Barbara, I bet she gobbled her food, so she was named after the vacuum cleaner! It's a great name.

Iam new,hello!+need advice

daniel

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cilla

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valanhb

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lotsocats

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jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener

baileyswild

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gold2k

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daniel

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Thread starter

mom of franz

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jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener

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