Ragdoll Cat Forums

Hi there,

We have an 11 month old boy, Misty, and we will be moving him from Australia to the UK next year. At present, he is an indoor cat, and we really wanted to know how easy is it to keep a cat indoors in the UK without the help of window screens and screen doors as we have here. We are originally from the UK, and know that when we lived there before, the minute we opened a door or window our old cat would be off outside for an explore, but as Misty has never been outside, we need some advice.

Is the best was forward never open the windows and only take him out on a lead when we want to go outside? This seems really difficult.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, as we will be renting, so building some kind of run would be out of the question.

Thanks a lot for any advice.

Tracy x

Tracy, we have lots of members on here from the UK and I'm sure they'll be able to answer your questions, but as I'm from the US, I'm going to ask this question....is it not possible to get screens for the windows of some sort?

One thing you must take into account, if he has never been outside, once you do let him out either on a lead or in a cat run, he will try to get out at any and every opportunity. I know some people over here in the UK have made screens which they put in front of the window when the windows open, you could also get a cat run or make one. I have also seen an electronic cat fence which I think gives off a loud noise when the cat approaches the boundary.

I made up some screens this summer as I like the windows open as much as possible! below is a link to the comapny I used to get the kits from, which may be of interest to you. All the kits come with 3 alternate ways of fitting , so as many windows are a standard size, you can switch them around as necerssary as not all windows need to be open at the same time.

http://www.cataire.co.uk

JMHO.....do all you can to keep him inside....find some sort of screening material....he will be happy just to sit in or near the window. My raggies have access to a screened enclosure, and 2 of them prefer to just be inside the house!

Hi.
I live in the UK, and yes I have often yearned for the US screen doors! they would be sooo great!
Regarding windows, I use wooden blinds, I use wood so they cant bend the metal and get out! Soren tried when he was a kitten alot! The blinds work great!
As for the front door, yes that can be a problem, but because my boys never go outside they dont dash out the door, If they do sneak out when I'm putting rubbish in the bin or what ever they never go farther than a few feet from the door.
Hope that helps.....XxX

Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for the help and advice. We will be moving back to the UK next Autumn (UK season), so will have the winter to make sure Misty is well settled before we have to start opening windows! I love the Cataire screens and this is probably the way we will go, as long as we can just velcro them on, as we will be renting.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help and advice. Having an indoor cat is challenging!

Tracy x

Tracy Wrote:Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for the help and advice. We will be moving back to the UK next Autumn (UK season), so will have the winter to make sure Misty is well settled before we have to start opening windows! I love the Cataire screens and this is probably the way we will go, as long as we can just velcro them on, as we will be renting.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help and advice. Having an indoor cat is challenging!

Tracy x

I use the velcro method on 2 of my windows and it works perfectly and they are easily removed and replaced each day, so you shouldn't have a problem.