Keeping a cat/kitten in a studio apartment in Dublin

sheroman01

Has anyone done this before? Would it be okay and sufficient for a cat/kitten? The studio is around 25m squared. There is a big garden at the back but it's a shared apartment and in Dublin 6 so not sure how feasible it is to let a cat outside during the day and bring him in at night. If anyone has experience with this or has any advice it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Arthur Daley

It is small for indoors only cat. They would have no variety in a small space and it would affect their mindset.

Indoors only cats need more space like 750 plus square foot and a few windows to look out of. Even then they need a good amount of play/stimulation each day. As well as a couple of places to scratch and ideally 2 litter trays.

Indoor only cats will get a kick out of a secure outdoor space/cat run and at least you know they are safe there if you have a busy road nearby.

So I would think the cat would need to go outdoors half the day if it's going to be confined to 25sq mtrs.

cocker5

sheroman01 wrote: »

Has anyone done this before? Would it be okay and sufficient for a cat/kitten? The studio is around 25m squared. There is a big garden at the back but it's a shared apartment and in Dublin 6 so not sure how feasible it is to let a cat outside during the day and bring him in at night. If anyone has experience with this or has any advice it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

When you say shared.. do you own the property? If not have you asked your landlord permission?

sheroman01

Arthur Daley wrote: »

It is small for indoors only cat. They would have no variety in a small space and it would affect their mindset.

Indoors only cats need more space like 750 plus square foot and a few windows to look out of. Even then they need a good amount of play/stimulation each day. As well as a couple of places to scratch and ideally 2 litter trays.

Indoor only cats will get a kick out of a secure outdoor space/cat run and at least you know they are safe there if you have a busy road nearby.

So I would think the cat would need to go outdoors half the day if it's going to be confined to 25sq mtrs.

Yeah, I'm afraid it would be too small for a cat alright, as much as I'd love to own one. Like, the back garden is huge, mostly concrete, so that'd be fine for him but I'm sure a cat could escape if he wanted to. I originally lived in the countryside and have had outdoor cats which would roam around but would always come back. I'm wondering if it's a different story in Dublin however. I live in Rathmines but not near any majorly busy streets.

cocker5 wrote: »

When you say shared.. do you own the property? If not have you asked your landlord permission?

Yes, I asked my landlord and it's no problem for their side.

Graces7

OP I have done this and will be fine. Cats are more versatile and adaptable than many realise.

They can also easily be trained to walk on a lead.

I would go for it.

Foweva Awone

I think it sounds absolutely fine. Personally I would go for an indoor only cat - much less stressful! Mine literally never go outside. Get a scratch post or two, and regularly get new toys etc to keep them entertained. (Cats are so easy to entertain, to them a paper bag counts as a new toy! ) And definitely access to windows to look out.

I currently have 3 cats (one adopted, two young fosters) in a fairly small two bed apartment. They have plenty of room to play and explore even just in the kitchen/sitting area (I don't usually let the younger two into the bedrooms.)

By the way, it might sound counter-intuitive when you're worried about space, but I'd highly recommend getting two rather than one. Less guilt about leaving them alone when you go out, and I find it takes only about 5-10 minutes "work" each day to sort out food and litter for the 3 of them - very little additional time/effort required, and it's well worth it for the company they provide each other! If you contact a rescue they'll usually have siblings or other bonded pairs to offer you. (They'll also do a home visit in advance of the adoption, which might help put your mind at ease about the space available.)

sheroman01

Foweva Awone wrote: »

I think it sounds absolutely fine. Personally I would go for an indoor only cat - much less stressful! Mine literally never go outside. Get a scratch post or two, and regularly get new toys etc to keep them entertained. (Cats are so easy to entertain, to them a paper bag counts as a new toy! ) And definitely access to windows to look out.

I currently have 3 cats (one adopted, two young fosters) in a fairly small two bed apartment. They have plenty of room to play and explore even just in the kitchen/sitting area (I don't usually let the younger two into the bedrooms.)

By the way, it might sound counter-intuitive when you're worried about space, but I'd highly recommend getting two rather than one. Less guilt about leaving them alone when you go out, and I find it takes only about 5-10 minutes "work" each day to sort out food and litter for the 3 of them - very little additional time/effort required, and it's well worth it for the company they provide each other! If you contact a rescue they'll usually have siblings or other bonded pairs to offer you. (They'll also do a home visit in advance of the adoption, which might help put your mind at ease about the space available.)

Hmm, now you've put the idea of two cats in my head, haha Good idea though. I've certainly seen smaller studios than this so it should be fine, as you said with lots of toys etc to keep them entertained it will be better for them. Every other day I could bring them outside too (with a careful, or on a leash if trained :pac: ). Plus anytime I'm visiting home I could bring them with me too.

I keep my beautiful big black cat in my 1st floor apartment, which I own, also D6. Animals are allowed on the estate and in the apartments, and many people keep a pet. He is extremely happy as an indoor-only cat. I inherited him from a relative who died, and he originally was an outdoor cat. I have a deep-filled silica-filled litter tray which keeps everything nice and sweet. This litter is very absorbent and lasts a long time and isn’t unsightly when scattered a bit. I have an automatic feeder which dispenses dry food in equal measures at given times, so I can go away for up to two nights and everything is in good order when I return. Not every cat takes to being indoors only, though most will adapt. I did attempt to adopt one cat who managed to manipulate door handles and locks in an attempt to make good his escape, so he got happily adopted on a farm instead. My first cat very happily converted to apartment living. It depends on the personality of the animal. Btw when I suddenly got sick and had to have emergency surgery the automatic feeder came in very handy, with relatives calling in to make sure everything was ok with the cat until I came home. One of those relatives, having seen how easy my cat was to manage in my apartment, decided to get her own for the first time!

Foweva Awone

sheroman01 wrote: »

Hmm, now you've put the idea of two cats in my head, haha Good idea though. I've certainly seen smaller studios than this so it should be fine, as you said with lots of toys etc to keep them entertained it will be better for them. Every other day I could bring them outside too (with a careful, or on a leash if trained :pac: ). Plus anytime I'm visiting home I could bring them with me too.

I asked the rescue if it would be good to bring her out for some fresh air from time to time - they said absolutely no need for it, it's actually not worth the risks of them escaping or getting ill due to the temperature change compared to indoors, and picking up germs from other animals, etc. If they are indoors cats, better just to keep them indoors unless absolutely necessary.

I haven't travelled with my cat yet but I've looked into it and there's no problem bringing them on buses/trains etc, and I'd be quite confident bringing her if necessary. I've left her alone in the apartment for up to 48 hours with absolutely no issues, it's great to be able to do it!

boomerang

I have two indoor-only cats in a small cottage. I don't know if I'd be comfortable having them in a studio apartment. They have multiples of everything here - sleeping spots, viewing spots, perching spots, litter trays etc. Ample resources are so important to an indoor kitty.

Just think, you get to go out and go to work each day and spend time outside of the four walls. It's all your kitty will ever know.

I've also found that indoor-only kitties are much more reactive to changes in their environment and changes of environment such as travel, cattery or new home. Something to bear in mind. They're not as emotionally resilient as indoor/outdoor kitties, in general.

As someone said, it might sound counter-intuitive, but I'd be for getting a bonded pair. A kitty friend is the single most beneficial form of enrichment you can give an indoor kitty.

metaoblivia

I say go for it, and also like the idea of getting a pair. I have two cats in a one bedroom apartment (about 700ft) and they're fine. They both walk on leads, and there's a front and back garden that we explore daily. You can also make the most of your space by adding shelves so the cats have some vertical space to explore.

They're very sleepy animals and will spend most of the day when you're not around cuddled up somewhere sound asleep.

boomerang

"They're very sleepy animals and will spend most of the day when you're not around cuddled up somewhere sound asleep."

True but then they make up for it by getting the crazies when you do come home and you just want to veg out on the couch!  There's an amazing difference in my cats' behaviour on days where I'm working and days I'm not... I work long hours (12 hour days three days a week) and when I get home on those evenings, they have to literally climb the walls and do major zoomies for ages before they settle down and let me sleep! On my days off, if I spend the day with them and loving on them, no crazies and no zoomies!