Cats are hunters by nature. As such, some people believe that it is cruel to keep them cramped up inside a house and not let them follow their natural instincts. However, in reality, the areas that many people live in are so far removed from what might be a natural habitat to accommodate a cat’s so called predatory nature that, so long as there is plenty for them to do inside, there will be very little difference.
The main difference will actually be in terms of how you treat your cat. Allowing a cat outside will give them chance to ‘socialise’ and to play. Therefore, by removing that, you need to offer them the same potential indoors and spend at least 10 minutes, three times a day, playing with your cat. This can involve using items you find round the house, specific cat supplies or even simply using your own hands as things for them to hunt and play with.
Offering them balls of foil and string to play with when you are not free is also important. The more toys they have to play with and the more obstacles you can create in the house, the more exciting your home will be for your kitten and therefore the less likely the home is to become a place of boredom.
The pet food you choose will also be very important. Should your cat not be out and about day in and day out, they are likely to need very different nutrition to keep them healthy and, as such, it is worth looking at specific pet nutrition sites and consulting your vet to see what may keep a house cat in optimum health.
Keeping a cat indoors may actually be best in certain areas and for certain cats – just be sure that you can pay it the attention it needs both socially and in terms of food and care too.