Cats in Apartments.

Walter H Price

So here's the thing , i love cats , have had cats all my life and it just never feels like a place is home with out one.

We have a fairly spacious 3 bed apartment in Ashtown ,just got our lease extended for another year no change in rent and were planning on buying our own place in the next 18 Months to two years. nearly all of the furniture in the place is ours too including beds curtains couches etc basically everything bar the table.

What i want to know is it a good idea to have a cat in an apartment , has anyone any experience ? are the cats happy ? i have had indoor cats before but in houses with a little more space.

Id love to be able to adopt one a kitten or an older cat wouldn't matter , but would it be best for the cat ?

Nody

We got multiple cats here (foster family) in an apartment inc. a big tom who was a street cat for the first three years who's currently enjoying lounging in the window lapping sun with food available on time and in suitable quantities. The thing to keep in mind with cats is to think vertical space as well as this is at least as important as normal floor space to ensure they can look out through windows etc. (cat TV).

seagull

Just check what your lease says about pets. You don't want to find yourself having to choose between giving up a new pet or moving.

If you do get a cat while you're still in the apartment, you could try training it to a lead, and then you'd be able to take it out into green areas. There are a couple of cats near us who go out for walks on a lead.

Walter H Price

My thinking at the minute is a 3 bed apartment is definitely better then a kennel is the <snip> or somewhere.

Would it be better to look for a kitten or yearling or would an older cat be more suited ?

Nody

An older cat would be a known quantity and assuming you both work I'd recommend a pair to keep each other company but make sure they are paired already; i.e. don't take two cats and expect they will work together. Kittens are great and very cute but for a kitten a toilet in one room might as well not exist if they are not in the same room and they can go anywhere and anywhere and they tend to be furballs of great shredding.

So in the end it depends on what you're after; if you want a cat who likes pettings and not zoom around like someone put a fire cracker up their behind a cat who's a year or older is recommended (that does not mean adult cants can't play or love running around but they are out of the frenzied kitten stage of doing so).

Walter H Price

Yeah we both work , id love more than one have always had two or more at home but the OH definitely wont go for .

I was thinking maybe a 1-2 year old that's used to being indoors lit trained etc. we do both work but would be home most evenings by 6ish

Shivi111

My sister has two cats in her apartment, indoor only, and it works really well for her.
We got a kitten a few years ago and intended to keep him as indoor only in our apartment, but even with lots of interaction and stimulation it never worked for him. Luckily we since moved house and he has the run of outside now and is so much happier, so I think it depends on the cat.
If you go with an older cat who is used to indoors as you say at least you will know that it works for them.
You'll need vertical spaces (cat tree or two, maybe cat shelves) and lots of toys and play to keep her/him interested and moving. People have this idea that cats are totally independent but they do need interaction, especially if they are indoor only, so be prepared for spending a good amount of time playing.
If you can talk your OH around then I think a bonded pair for company would be the best idea, especially if you are out working.

SarahS2013

Had 2 cats in a 2 bed apartment for 4 years before, brother and sister which we got from kittens with no problems. We were in a low first floor apartment so we used to let them on the balcony supervised until one of the realised he could go balcony hopping....very good at it he was too! The other one not so much....

Dandelion6

I have two indoor-only cats in a second floor two-bedroom apartment. No issues, they're grand.

katkin

If ye are planning on buying your own place in c 18 months I would actually hold off on it. While in many cases cat will adjust and be no problem you could have issues with litter tray training or spraying and this would be a bigger problem or stress in a place thats not your own. Also when you move kitty will have to adjust to new place and possible move to both indoor/outdoor which could lead to it getting lost etc. There will still be loads of furballs looking for a home then so to avoid unnessecary stress or heartache I would hold off but thats me, maybe over cautious but perhaps something to consider. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, its great that you want to give little kittys a home and I am sure you will give them all they need.

Speedwell

I had three in a large ground-floor apartment in a busy city in the US. Because of the busy commercial location, the huge amount of traffic, the lack of an enclosed balcony, and a nearby colony of ferals, the three never went outside. They were well-adjusted, sweet, and healthy kitties who enjoyed seeing the world go by through the windows, climbing their cat tree (positioned so it could see most of the house from the one spot), and playing with each other.

Housebound cats must have a companion cat. Adopting two from the same litter, or who were given up from the same household, will virtually guarantee that your cats will be comfortable with each other and well-socialised, but I have introduced an eight-week-old high-energy-personality kitten to fourteen-year-old laid-back adults successfully, too. Kittens are fun but SO much work. Unless you work from home, please consider an older pair.

In order to help the cats adjust to a new place, select cats in the first place that are not the personality type of "hides from everything and is cautious in play", or "kind of nutty, needs toys, sort of a terror". Ask the shelter for the "dog type of cat" and they will be fine so long as you provide for their occupation and comfort and give them a safe quiet place while all the change is going on, as well as being decent, sociable sorts that everyone will like. I moved two such cats here to Ireland and they adjusted beautifully.

OldNotWIse

Two of mine were apartment cats for a number of years before I moved. We never really had problems with them. Nice food, a cat tree to climb and scratch, snuggles on the couch and a cushion on the window in the sun. I think its ok, and especially if you are homing a rescue/older cat. There are so many thousands who would love a nice home! I think cats are really adaptable, and even now although I live somewhere that has a lot of outdoor space (and my other cats will wander a bit), these two always stay close by

Walter H Price

Thanks for all the advice guys , unfortunately the landlord is saying its a non runner , had tenants muck him about with pets before . I feel its a little unfair given all the furniture is ours and we've been there 18 months and have seriously improved the condition the place was in but how and ever them's the breaks of renting i guess

Walter H Price

Lil update here , we spoke to the landlord again about this and he has agreed , hopefully will get our kitten over the bank holiday from Phibsboro Cat Rescue , heading over to blanch tonight to pick up a few bits toys trays climbing frames etc ... very excited

Ms Doubtfire1

thats a fab place to get a kitten. I've taken a few of them, ferals mostly.:-). well bloody done. :-)

Speedwell

Better to get two, because kittens can play with and take their excess energy out on each other when they have a companion, and are less demanding.

Walter H Price

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

thats a fab place to get a kitten. I've taken a few of them, ferals mostly.:-). well bloody done. :-)

Yeh they seem like a really great genuine shelter , really looking foward to being able to forever home one of the kittens they are trying to home at the minute since loosing their permanent HQ

Walter H Price

Speedwell wrote: »

Better to get two, because kittens can play with and take their excess energy out on each other when they have a companion, and are less demanding.

Defiantly considering two , particularly if we can get litter mates.

Nody

Walter H Price wrote: »

Defiantly considering two , particularly if we can get litter mates.

Don't need to be litter mates but bonded; we've had kittens bond with other kittens from different mothers

Walter H Price

Nody wrote: »

Don't need to be litter mates but bonded; we've had kittens bond with other kittens from different mothers

were they in the same shelter or did ye just get them at the same time ? because the one we have applied to home was an orphaned kitten on her own so no litter mates and shes been fostered on her own so far still only 12 weeks.

if we don't get her the plan is to take two from another litter or that were being fostered together.

Ms Doubtfire1

they are kittens and as such, very young.They will bond very quickly regardless if they were fostered together or from the same litter.Mind you, i have three black brothers here -the princes of darkness, and they HATE the sight of each other..one is usually in the stables and eats in the back house, one is in the living room and eats in the kitchen and one eats in the stables and is always stalking the other 2. They fight (not to serious but hairs can fly), so being of the same litter and being raised together does not necessarily guarantee they will like each other in adulthood. Allthough the chances with only 2 are much much better than with the lot I've got lol..:D

Walter H Price

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

they are kittens and as such, very young.They will bond very quickly regardless if they were fostered together or from the same litter.Mind you, i have three black brothers here -the princes of darkness, and they HATE the sight of each other..one is usually in the stables and eats in the back house, one is in the living room and eats in the kitchen and one eats in the stables and is always stalking the other 2. They fight (not to serious but hairs can fly), so being of the same litter and being raised together does not necessarily guarantee they will like each other in adulthood. Allthough the chances with only 2 are much much better than with the lot I've got lol..:D

yeh we had one at home who was older about 6 and mixed indoor outdoor when i moved back in with a 10 month old indoor kitten. they faught like daemons for a while and had to be separted at all times when unsupervised. but after the older cat got a bad blood infection from a bite he got outside scrapping he had to become indoor full time , because his immune system is now quite weak.

Since then the two of them have become inseparable so much so that when i moved back out i had to leave my now 2 and 1/2 year old cat at home with my folks and the other cat because they were both miserable when we separated them , it was tough for me leaving him but definitely the right call for the two boys who i still get to see at least once a week.

Also on the positive side, now its freed us up to home one or two more little kittens in need , so every cloud and all that.

kathleen37

I hope you don't mind me saying, but until you're there and have a look at all the cats there, please don't discount an older cat/pair.

Especially kitties that have had to be rehomed when owners died etc, you could find yourselves with the perfect, house trained cats you could ever hope to find!

Good for you whatever you decide on. I hope you post pics!!!

michelleryan86

They should be fine indoors. The cat trees or towers are great for them indoors. Gives them height and something to climb.
Best of luck!

michelleryan86

That's great news. Best of luck! Post a pic of your cat when you adopt one!

Walter H Price

kathleen37 wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me saying, but until you're there and have a look at all the cats there, please don't discount an older cat/pair.

Especially kitties that have had to be rehomed when owners died etc, you could find yourselves with the perfect, house trained cats you could ever hope to find!

Good for you whatever you decide on. I hope you post pics!!!

Absolutely will be considering older cats aswell , to be honest will take my lead from the lady from Phibsboro cat rescue we've told her that watever cat or cats they feel were best suited to will take , i dont mind cats that need a little more attention or that.

Will definitly post pic's once we have one

OldNotWIse

kathleen37 wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me saying, but until you're there and have a look at all the cats there, please don't discount an older cat/pair.

Especially kitties that have had to be rehomed when owners died etc, you could find yourselves with the perfect, house trained cats you could ever hope to find!

Good for you whatever you decide on. I hope you post pics!!!

One of our guys is a rescue that was dumped out when his owner died. His owner had been an elderly person who obviously cared for him and the cat is a real "old soul" - he is laid back and delighted with life and just plods around like he is ancient. We thought he was old when we got him but that was 8 years ago! Must be just the way he is from living with an old person. Very sweet boy.

Walter H Price

OldNotWIse wrote: »

One of our guys is a rescue that was dumped out when his owner died. His owner had been an elderly person who obviously cared for him and the cat is a real "old soul" - he is laid back and delighted with life and just plods around like he is ancient. We thought he was old when we got him but that was 8 years ago! Must be just the way he is from living with an old person. Very sweet boy.

Yeh one of my folks cats was an older resue and hes a dote like , always been very affectionate and happy out to just laze around the house no hassle at all very comfy with people from day one.

we have someone coming Saturday to evaluate us and the apt and basicly going to say to her , whatever cat/s you have most suited and in need will take. to be honest i couldn't choose one i'd take them all if i could

Dandelion6

Walter H Price wrote: »

to be honest i couldn't choose one i'd take them all if i could

I have two and that's all I can afford but I still look at all the rescue pages and think oh I want this one, oh I want that one! Cats are the best 😺

Walter H Price

Well we got our Kitten , picking her up Thursday. shes very young only 7 weeks and was found on her own two weeks ago , they had been looking for a quite experience home to take her and we fit the bill , absolutely buzzing

Speedwell

You're in for a fun time. One huge tip... she will be a little burr for many weeks, as she learns how to bite and scratch only what she should bite and scratch. If she tries to latch on and bite you in play, immediately substitute a toy for your hand. If she tries to scratch the furniture or the carpeting, immediately say NO, redirect her to a scratching post, make little scratchy motions with her front paws on it for a second, and give her a treat. Soon enough you will see her fight the toy and scratch the post on her own; reward her and continue to say NO when she does it in the wrong way. I have 15-year-old cats who have behaved perfectly ever since they were a year old, and a year-old kitten who "forgets" sometimes but is almost finished learning. Some of this I learned on my own, some I found out only recently; I didn't forget you've had cats before

Walter H Price

Speedwell wrote: »

You're in for a fun time. One huge tip... she will be a little burr for many weeks, as she learns how to bite and scratch only what she should bite and scratch. If she tries to latch on and bite you in play, immediately substitute a toy for your hand. If she tries to scratch the furniture or the carpeting, immediately say NO, redirect her to a scratching post, make little scratchy motions with her front paws on it for a second, and give her a treat. Soon enough you will see her fight the toy and scratch the post on her own; reward her and continue to say NO when she does it in the wrong way. I have 15-year-old cats who have behaved perfectly ever since they were a year old, and a year-old kitten who "forgets" sometimes but is almost finished learning. Some of this I learned on my own, some I found out only recently; I didn't forget you've had cats before

great tips , we got little scratch box for beside the couch and theres one or two in evry room , Cushions for the windowsills so she cant hop up and watch the world , two cat trees and loads of toys so hopfully will have enough to keep her entertained , from talking to the foster shes very affetionate , lite trained and super well behaved but can be a little skittish around kids other animals and loud noises. probably all from when she was lost outside on her own poor little mite.

Dandelion6

Walter H Price wrote: »

Well we got our Kitten , picking her up Thursday. shes very young only 7 weeks and was found on her own two weeks ago , they had been looking for a quite experience home to take her and we fit the bill , absolutely buzzing

I think there's something wrong with this post, it's missing a picture

Walter H Price

Dandelion6 wrote: »

I think there's something wrong with this post, it's missing a picture

Totally agree , we'r picking her up from her foster-er tomorrow night , plenty of pics to follow

Walter H Price

Picture of the new arrival as promised - thanks for all the advice guys

Speedwell

Walter H Price wrote: »

Picture of the new arrival as promised - thanks for all the advice guys

Awww, she looks so much like my kitty Ink 15 years ago that a tear literally came to my eye (and I am discussing hard economics in another thread, lol). She's precious. May you have many wonderful years together.

Dandelion6

Absolute beauty.

Walter H Price

Dandelion6 wrote: »

Absolute beauty.

Speedwell wrote: »

Awww, she looks so much like my kitty Ink 15 years ago that a tear literally came to my eye (and I am discussing hard economics in another thread, lol). She's precious. May you have many wonderful years together.

Thanks guys , yeh she's a little stunner and an absolute Sweetheart full of cuddles and purrs for us and anyone else who's come over since we got her . by far the least skittish and most affectionate kitten i've ever had , she's settled in so quick too were absolutely delighted with her.

Cant say enough for <snip> too all really really lovely people an it was evident her fosterer had taken great care of her and trained her really well so hats off to those guys not an easy job but their playing an absolute blinder