I'm narrative from the Cat Protection Society of New South Wales here at Cat Protection. Monitor your indoor cat’s food intake and make sure they have ample opportunities to climb and play. It is important to allow your cat the opportunity to exhibit normal hunting behaviour - whether that means playing with a fishing rod toy or using feeding enrichment toys. They also need a lot of grooming to care for their hairless skin. With a fine mesh, the product is extremely effective when taut, and attaches to a velcro that you stick to the edge of your window. We all love a happy ending this little cat, Snowy, was very nervous and shy before coming into one of our foster pens. They are more complex than giving a cat their food in a simple bowl. Meanwhile, cornflowers, petunias, impatiens and zinnias are also safe for cats if you’re looking for flowering options. guide to letting your cat out for the first time, Cats who live indoors still need to exhibit their natural behaviours to remain healthy, If you’re thinking of getting an indoor cat you will need to set up your home so that your cat physically and mentally healthy, Indoor cats can experience behavioural problems, but our advice can help. Security and space – indoor cats are space restricted, so respect their personal space to avoid stress. If your cat is overweight, All Feline Hospital recommends feeding for 2 pounds less (or 40 fewer calories per day) and then readjusting until they reach a healthy maintenance weight. But this means that they can end up lost, perhaps far from home. Radiator beds are ideal, particularly for cats who are getting on a bit and for whom the days of reaching a spot close to the ceiling are in the past. Cats are more likely to scratch on furniture if they're bored or need attention. Covering postcodes TN23, TN26, TN27, TN28, TN29 and TN30. Many cat owners believe that keeping their cats indoors protects them from parasite infestations and/or infections. The indoor cat diet, which often involves grazing on an open bowl of food all day, plus a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to obesity and may predispose a cat to diabetes. The cheapest offer starts at £10. Set limits to preserve your home and sanity. Accessibility Registered address Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF. Taffy . Check it out! Having access to the outside world is the best way to allow a cat to do all of these things, but when it’s not possible for cats to exercise these natural behaviours outside, they will need an alternative way of doing so inside. Great care is taken to match the right type of cat to a prospective owner, and a home visit is always carried out. All of these activities are brilliant mental stimulation for cats, and many keep their bodies in shape too. Contact Cats Protection Go to the main site A CAT which became an animal charity's longest staying resident has found a new home - after his plea was published in The Echo. We encourage all cat owners to keep their cats indoors and if they're outdoors, then there will be a securely fenced area. Buying a cat? Cats like to chew on plants, so always check online to make sure your plants are safe for cats before you bring them inside. One of the keys to keeping your indoor cat very happy and fulfilled is giving it entertainment and stimulation on a regular basis. Climbing is brilliant physical exercise for cats and getting up high means they can find a quiet spot to watch the world go by, and relax. Deal & District Cats Protection offers neutering, rehoming and adoption, a lost and found service, and help with cat welfare problems. If your cat is not a master of escape, consider installing fencing that is positioned inwards into the garden to prevent cats from climbing out. Cats with medical conditions such as blindness or FIV, or elderly cats with restricted mobility, may be better suited to an indoor life. There are many reasons why owners make the decision to keep their cats indoors, perhaps a previous pet was heartbreakingly killed on the road, or maybe the home is a high rise flat in a city centre and it just isn’t possible to let them out. Adding another indoor cat to a household where you already have one or more indoor cats is likely to cause problems. To help home as many cats as safely as possible, we have launched our hands-free … Neutering Assistance: Cat owners on benefits can contact the branch to enquire about help with neutering costs: This email address is being protected from spambots. Hunting behaviours include staring, stalking, hiding, pouncing and catching. When a cat grooms, they will typically swallow hair. Lauren Finka works for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home as a feline welfare and behaviour consultant Home. With 2 … New people, changes in furniture and the addition of new pets or babies can upset an indoor cat more. For these reasons, Blue Cross does not recommend keeping cats as indoor-only house pets, unless there is a really good reason why the particular cat should be confined inside. Fencing that gives electric shocks causes cats harm and should not be used.Catios: an alternative option to fencing is to install an enclosure in part of your garden or on your patio – a cat patio, or ‘catio’. CP Portal International Cat Care estimates the number of pets kept indoors is 10 per cent. Flat Cats cover your window opening with a specially sized, easy to fit strong pvc coated mesh. Living With Dogs Feral Cats Adoption Feral Cats Adoption Indoor cats can be skilled escapologists! Ensure your cat has enough space. Cats Protection is the UK's leading feline welfare charity. Mark Farnworth is associated with Cats Protection and the "Cat Watch" project. Cat trees with perches or shelves help provide security. Sitemap Cats are very particular about bathroom hygiene, and a dirty box may cause them to start using other places in the house instead. Cats who live indoors have only your home as their day and nighttime environment. 10. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). Obesity: cats who don’t have the ability to exercise can quickly become overweight and unhealthy. Enter your postcode to find the nearest Cats Protection shop to your location. We do rehome cats to indoor-only homes where the cat has a health problem which prevents them from going outside. A company limited by guarantee. Explore 7 listings for Indoor cats for rehoming at best prices. If you choose to keep your cat indoors, or you need to because of a health issue, you will need to make sure your cat can exhibit their natural behaviours inside. Watch out for indoor cat escapes. With a very high rate of cat ownership, it is encouraged by the SPCA as an ID and because the cats decimate the wild birds. To find Cats Protection’s most up-to-date guidance on cats and coronavirus, visit our dedicated webpage featuring useful FAQs to put your mind at rest. In New Zealand, most cat owners do not give their cats collars. Cats Protection is calling for the compulsory microchipping of owned cats. Bob on April 28, 2019: My cat is fat and has a small head and her bodys fat and I try to take her out side but she just whines and cry’s and just wants to come back inside. This means you shouldn't fill the dish every time they eat. always inside from dust to dawn Cats can live very happy lives indoors. She is an independent, playful cat who is friendly on her own terms. Ellie and Holly. While some like heading out, others will be content to stay at home - especially if they've been indoor cats from a young age. Whether your cat lives inside permanently or is on strict instructions to be kept indoors for a period of time due to an injury or illness, our advice will help you make sure they are happy and healthy. The best way to stay up to date with whats going on at Blue Cross is to join our mailing list. In these challenging times with the developing situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), Cats Protection is taking extra precautions to keep our cats, volunteers, employees and the public safe and continue to provide high levels of care for the cats in our centres and branches as well as helpful welfare advice to cat owners. Your cat doesn't have to go outside in order to be happy. Where multiple cats live in the small area of a house or flat, the space available to each cat is limited, and that’s when conflict can occur. As a cat parent, you have probably experienced your cat having hairballs occasionally. On average, cats who are kept inside do live longer than cats who go outside, and this is largely due to the number of cats killed in road accidents.Common reasons why people choose to keep their cat indoors include:•    Living near a busy road•    Living in an area with a high cat population•    Cat has health problems•    Cat is elderly. On average, indoor cats typically require 20–35 calories per pound per day. Adopt a cat - East Devon. Scratching posts give your cat something to scratch that isn’t your furniture. Basically, no matter how much time your cat spends outside, they need flea medicine for outdoor cats. mcmnet.co.uk. Cats for Adoption. The health and safety benefits are huge. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Which breed of indoor cat is the friendliest? Puzzle feeders are a brilliant way of keeping your cat mentally stimulated. We help around 200,000 cats and kittens every year through our national network of around 230 volunteer-run branches and 37 centres. RH17 7TT, Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland). Thank you. I learnt that way back - they need a friend to play with or the older cats go bonkers! The US recommend collars. One of Cats Protection's oldest branches, helping cats since 1957. You could clear a top shelf, put a cosy bed or blanket on top of your wardrobes, or put up new shelves for your cat to climb. Spend time playing with your cat. Litter trays should be kept clean for all cats and in a quiet part of the home, but this is particularly important for indoor cats as they don’t have an alternative place to go. Unless people or dogs bring the fleas inside, the indoor cats shouldn’t be exposed to fleas. All cats taken in by Cats Protection - South East Cornwall are neutered if old enough or will be re-homed with a neutering voucher. They need to be treated once a month. Find out more about multi-cat households here. You can feed all your cat’s meals in a puzzle feeder. Feeding dry food is best for puzzle feeders that are enclosed, as these can be more difficult to clean, but wet food can be given in feeders with open tops. Taffy and Nimsey. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). Mark Farnworth is associated with Cats Protection and the "Cat Watch" project. Adopt rescued cats or kittens from your local cat adoption centre or animal rehoming organisation. Remi will be happiest in an indoor only home where he is the centre of attention. Cats are independent and curious creatures – part of the reason we love them. This can be distressing for both you and your cat. Indoor or outdoor cat, it's a great idea to have a suitable scratch post in your home to help with claw maintenance and to allow your cat to express their natural behaviours without making a beeline for your furnishings. Indoor Cats. Read more. If you’re houseproud, an indoor cat probably isn’t the pet for you. Watch out for indoor cat escapes. Here are a few ways to help treat and prevent cat hairballs. Cats like to have their own territory in which to live their daily lives of both exploring and relaxing, and they tend to want to do these activities on their own. Toys needn’t be expensive. Lewes Road, Across the UK almost a third of owned cats are not microchipped 1. Scratching posts give your cat something to scratch that isn’t your furniture. When a home is busy and there are few areas available to get that rest, cats become stressed. A selection of toys and games will help keep your cat’s brain active. Cat toys, lasers (being careful to avoid the eyes), and human/cat games can be a lot of fun. They will check your pet for any physical health issue that might be causing problem, and refer you to an animal behaviourist if needed. The Northampton Branch is currently closed; no viewings, adoptions or admissions are being carried out.If you would like any advice relating to Cats Protection and our Services please contact 0344 700 3251 or email cats_northampton@hotmail.co.uk. Chelwood Gate, Ensure your cat has enough space. If an indoor cat doesn’t have enough stimulation they will likely seek entertainment on objects in the home (they have no awareness of how much your now-scratched new sofa cost, or the sentimental value of a smashed ornament).If your cat has suddenly started showing a problem behaviour, the first port of call should be your vet. Terms and conditions You may need to keep windows and balcony doors closed, or cat-proof them with locks or screens. Scratching trees are even better for indoor cats as they have different levels for your cat to explore, and encourage climbing. Cats who have previously lived outside will not cope well with a change of lifestyle where they go from having the freedom to explore a wide area to their surroundings only being inside. Cats for Adoption. Flat Cats provide an economical and effective solution - protection for your cats from falling out of open windows and offering insect protection as an added advantage. Collars typically aren't suitable for kittens under ten weeks old. Cats with FIV Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) cannot socialise with non-FlV cats so have to stay in the house and deaf and blind cats would also be suited to an indoor-only environment - so adopting from one of these groups would be ideal. Treat balls are a good idea as you can fill them with some of the normal daily food allowance and then let the cat work for its food by chasing the ball until the treats fall out – this fulfils the natural hunting instinct as well as making the cat exercise and work off some calories. I am coming round to the way of thinking that an older cat who has been an indoor cat may be the way to go. Cats become easily stressed when they don’t have their own space, and you are likely to see problem behaviour such as spraying and scratching, and aggression towards each other becomes more likely. Anxiety: indoor cats exist in a small environment and do not cope as well with change as those who go outside. All cats are vet checked on arriving at the branch, and vaccinated and microchipped prior to rehoming. They will also have been given a general health check, wormed, flea treated, micro-chipped and fully vaccinated before rehoming. They may be bowls with grooves or raised areas so the cat needs to use their paws or tongue to get to the food, or a ball or box with holes in. Black and white Taffy is about 10 years old and her calico housemate Nimsey is a little younger at about 9 years old. Read more. (The author's cat, Mojo) Create an Indoor Cat Garden . We provide free pet advice as every pet deserves to be well looked after. Some cats are better off indoors. Shy or nervous cats will flourish in a calm, caring home, with loving, patient people, who are willing to let the cat take things at their own pace. Although living inside is generally considered healthier, indoor cats need special care, too. Cats Protection blog, website by We're so glad we've been able to help these pets who are unable to help themselves, but there are thousands of sick and lonely pets still in need, so we need to ask for a small favour. Blue Cross does not rehome healthy cats to homes where they must live indoors, even if they have lived as indoor-only cats in the past, unless we feel an inside lifestyle is right for that particular cat. In addition to exercise and mental stimulation, your indoor cat needs a safe environment to live in, food and water, and regular grooming and healthcare. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Cats Protection is the UK's leading feline welfare charity. Indoor-only cats can become stressed by living together with other cats in restricted territory, so it is important to keep an eye out for signs of your cats not getting on. It’s especially important for indoor cats to have a number of safe spaces high up that they can access without the risk of falling. Our modern day moggies are descended from African wild cats but to this day they still retain those genetic instincts that enable them to hunt and catch prey, and being able to show those behaviours keeps them mentally stimulated and happy. This advert has no user uploaded images or videos Price: Collars cost from $20 to $60, depending on the size, ingredients, safety features, and the duration of parasite protection offered. In my view, this is because in the US there is a much higher rate of indoor cats, while in the UK cats are more outdoor cats. Adopt a Cat: Contact the shelter as below to ask about cats needing homes. Fishing rod toys are great for stalking and pouncing. Some cats are better off indoors. Damaging the home: a bored cat is often a destructive cat. They may start out hiding under the bed, but helping them gain confidence is a fantastic feeling. Cats Protection is dedicated to protecting feline welfare and educating people about cats and their needs; this branch aims to better the lives of cats in the Spelthorne area. Im fascinated by whats going on outside but I am still safe indoors thanks to window protection for Cats from Flat Cats. We treated around 35,000 sick injured and homeless pets last year. Indoor-only cats can become stressed by living together with other cats in restricted territory, so it is important to keep an eye out for signs of your cats not getting on. News Flea and tick sprays Just ensure that these flowers grow well indoors by providing them with high or artificial light. The majority of pet cats in the UK do have access to the outside world. Feral cats roaming your property can also be carriers of fleas and ticks. Why not make them a tent, or even their own castle? There are also indoor hazards to be aware of, from open cupboards, washing machines and tumble driers to balconies and windows. If you’re hoping to add a new cat to your family and you specifically want a cat who will live indoors, it’s really important to choose a cat for whom living indoors is the right situation for that individual cat. Disclosure statement. Fitted in seconds, it … 9. Indoor cats ideally need more than one scratching post in different locations in the home. There are lots of things you can do to keep indoor cats entertained (see below) but this may not be enough to satisfy the mind of a cat who is used to being able to do all the things that are in their nature outdoors, and will likely result in problem behaviours including clawing at and urinating on furniture and carpets. Staying active and entertained can reduce misbehavior. 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