A Cat in a Flat...

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 2:13 PM

Hi everyone, I am an animal lover (in a non peverse manner), and I really really want a cat.

I live in a second floor apartment with a balcony, which worries me, because I am scared the cat might jump, I don't think it'd die because it's only second floor, but I think it would scram and run away in confusion.

I have researched this LOADS, hearing a number of opinions, some people say yes it's fine cats aren't stupid they won't jump, others say there cat has jumped and been injured/ran away etc.

Another concern is the fact me and my partner are out between say 0845-1715, is it OK to leave a cat? Or do I need two cats (to keep each other company and make mischief less likely)?

Also another that worries me is the smell, how bad do house cats smell? I know they are clean animals but is a litter tray really bad? Obviously my OCD wouldn't allow me to leave a cat poo in there long but in general how is the pong of a cat?

I'd be really appreciative to hear the AVF gangs' opinions and experiances on this.

mjn · 09-11-2007, 2:20 PM

Litter trays stink, especially ones being used by kittens. Cats themselves don't smell though.

waring192 · 09-11-2007, 2:33 PM

Hi dave. Me and my gf got a cat in march (i got ps3, she got cat haha). We were living in 1 bed flat and it seemed quite content. In july we moved to a 2 bed house and it loves it! We also got anouther one around the same time to keep it company. When we only hd the one she used to be alot more naughty but now they are both alot more settled. I am not sure about the balcony but i doubt they would jump, unless there was a lower level within about 2 meters.
You have to watch out with carpets though, especially around doors as they tend to pull the carpet up. Is you spend a little more than budget cat litter you can get clumping stuff which reduces the smell alot and is also easyer to clean. This is the stuff we use:
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.a...506&pf_id=7097

hope this helps, dont hesitate to ask for more info!

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 2:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waring192

Hi dave. Me and my gf got a cat in ma.....

thanks for that, I got a 360 and i want a cat

Greedy eh? Thats really helpful, what floor was your flat? and did you have to be cautious about open windows too?

waring192 · 09-11-2007, 2:56 PM

the flat was ground floor, but the windows where them high openers so that was ok, in the hosue we can only open them a small bit. There indoor cats atthe mo, but they will be let out in the near future.

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 3:17 PM

I see, are they pure breeds? because I hear the blue (grey) cats are very content about staying indoors, and I really like them anyway

TeenSpirit · 09-11-2007, 3:24 PM

Hi,

I used to live in a 1st floor flat and had 2 kittens for a while. They do stink - even with windows left open a fraction, the flat smelt awful when I returned home from 9-5 job, the smell still lingers under my nose now, I will never forget that and the large amounts of Peach air freshner I used, yuk

I don't think it will be a problem for the cats as a lot are usually housebound and only get let out in the morning and evening for a wee (my Mum's was like this). Mum also had a silver Persian and that always stopped in but malted everywhere !!

The reason I wouldn't recommend it is for your benefit - they do smell despite what folks say, even mature cats, if they don't get out in the fresh air. It is a pain, having to remember which room to put them in or not every morning before you go to work, making sure there will be enough water and food for them.
Also the problem with bored younger cats and scratched furniture and carpets.

I would wait until you get a house IMO, in the meantime get a DS with virtual pets

Edit: or you and your partner have a baby, far more rewarding than pets ! and at least you can put it in a nursery while you are at work ! (only kidding)

CFC1 · 09-11-2007, 3:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsSigns

...and only get let out in the morning and evening for a wee (my Mum's was like this).

Shame on you, MrsS... surely your dear mum deserved a couple more outings during the day?

TeenSpirit · 09-11-2007, 3:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFC1

Shame on you, MrsS... surely your dear mum deserved a couple more outings during the day?

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 3:36 PM

Thanks for that Mrs.S I can tell you now we won't be having a baby for a long time.

You said it's a pain mentioning which room to put them in, what would your reasons be for this?

waring192 · 09-11-2007, 4:11 PM

Quote:

see, are they pure breeds? because I hear the blue (grey) cats are very content about staying indoors, and I really like them anyway

One is a tabby and the other is a siamese, odd combination!

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waring192

One is a tabby and the other is a siamese, odd combination!

a posh one and a comon one

TeenSpirit · 09-11-2007, 4:26 PM

Well they weren't allowed in the bedroom in case they pooped on the duvet - had to keep the bathroom door shut as one fell down the toilet (while we were in luckily) - keep them out of the lounge as they climbed on the tv... need i go on - hence I passed them onto someone else in the end.

Jenn · 09-11-2007, 4:42 PM

When I was at uni I had a cat in my studio flat. I was away most of the day so it did climb a few shelves but nothing major. Not other damage though.

The litter didn't smell because I cleaned it every day or straight after he'd done a poo (I didn't have a litter with a cover back then).
He never went out either because I lived in a city centre.
For travelling back to my parents he'd go in a back pack that I carried on my front with just his head popping out. Lovely cat

We now have a female cat (5 years old). She's never been let out (not purposely anyway) and is quite happy like that. She's got toys she plays with (no other cat here) when we're out or we play with her. Bear in mind cats tend to sleep a lot so as long as you keep it active/stimulated when you're home it should be ok.

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 4:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsSigns

had to keep the bathroom door shut as one fell down the toilet

I know its cruel but thats hilarious! I spose that is actually quite dangerous though

daveleeuk · 09-11-2007, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn

For travelling back to my parents he'd go in a back pack that I carried on my front with just his head popping out. Lovely cat

Awwwwww

TeenSpirit · 09-11-2007, 6:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveleeuk

I know its cruel but thats hilarious! I spose that is actually quite dangerous though

All we could hear was a baby-like crying noise, then saw him scrambling to get out of the toilet bowl - we didn't know whether to laugh or cry - fortunately it was a very modern toilet that holds a very small amount of water in bottom, poor thing

geomuss · 09-11-2007, 7:25 PM

no need for it to be a house cat to be honest dave, even cats in flats find their way home no problem.

Dont worry about it falling out windows etc, i would be more worried about you launching it out of a window after its craped on your Ps3

you can get one of those litter houses, that have a smelly thing built into the roof etc.

cats are great ( i have 2), but they are hard work at first, also take into consideration if your going away on hols etc etc, then you have to get catsitters or cattery fees!

money money money my friend!

ps is this to cure the feeling of your broodyness

Nimby · 09-11-2007, 8:34 PM

There are those who say it is kindest to keep cats indoors.
There are those who say it is cruel because a cat is a social creature.
Cats outside get worms, diseases, fleas, injured in fights, run over and pregnant.
Not necessarily in that order.
Cats inside don't and are supposed to live a lot longer.
Don't allow a cat on an open balcony.
Even if it doesn't jump it could fall off through sheer stupidity.
Or slide off accidentally from curiosity at seeing another cat outside.
Older cats may spray and get huge and smelly. Not all though.
Some cats are ladies or gentlemen. Others are destructive scum.
Or complete airheads. Or pussycats.
Or alien predators from some burning lunatic hell!
Others are comedians. Or boring furry cushions.
Or think that climbing is an art form yet to be perfected.
You never know what you're getting even from the same identikit litter.
Consider a cat from an animal charity.
Never from a pet shop.

Pezerinno · 09-11-2007, 8:46 PM

A relative used to have a cat and she lived in a third floor flat with a balcany; the cat often used to sit out there sunbathing. I never noticed the smell of the litter tray but I imagine it was cleaned quickly. I used to have a lovely cat but live in a house and she used to go outside in the garden to do her business so not much help for you there.

mjn · 09-11-2007, 9:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimby

Cats outside get worms, diseases, fleas, injured in fights, run over and and pregnant.

Rubbish

My cats go outside, yet don't have worms, because i give them worming tablets, don't have fleas, as i use Frontline, don't get diseases because i make sure they have their yearly jabs, however they can get run over if you live near a road, and they don't get pregnant because they're boys

However, all pet cats should be neutered to prevent pregnancy, stray kittens, and fHIV, oh, and get them microchipped.

brian s · 09-11-2007, 11:52 PM

We had a lovely cat called Stripe. He jumped out the first floor window as often as we left it open. Four times before I convinced the wife we should keep it closed.

Regards
Bri

waring192 · 10-11-2007, 7:59 AM

Quote:

My cats go outside, yet don't have worms, because i give them worming tablets, don't have fleas, as i use Frontline, don't get diseases because i make sure they have their yearly jabs, however they can get run over if you live near a road, and they don't get pregnant because they're boys

However, all pet cats should be neutered to prevent pregnancy, stray kittens, and fHIV, oh, and get them microchipped.

That is true,with letting them out, the only things you have to worry about are them getting run over, bringing dead (or even alive!) animals in the house! My mums cat has brought loads of nasty stuff it; 3 grass snakes, 1 adder, a bat and loads of rabbits. They drop them in front of you as if there giving you a present!

Nimby · 10-11-2007, 8:32 AM

I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of cats die on the roads every single year?
No car journey is complete without seeing at least one squashed cat on the road.
Every supermarket noticeboard has pictures of missing cats.
Every one that goes missing is a tragedy for someone.
We still miss our three but haven't a clue what happened to any of them.