Which cat breeds are ‘house cats’?
Posted by MistressLolaDiamond@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 46 comments
We’re wanting to get a cat but would rather one that enjoys being in the house instead of disappearing all the time as that gives us a bit of anxiety and we would just like to be around the car more day to day anyway. Is there any breeds that are the best for this in your opinion?
No_Chemist2922@reddit
Had a ragdoll that loved outdoors so it really depends on individual temperaments, but yes ragdolls are generally known to be indoor cats.
They're also super sweet and gentle.
Adventurous-Smile251@reddit
We have a Scottish Fold. She’s 8month soon and very laid back. Her and our German Shepherd are even besties now.
StanleyChuckles@reddit
Highly recommend getting her on Solensia when you can. Our girl has been so good on it. It's changed her little life.
Adventurous-Smile251@reddit
She’s still only 8 months so she’s still too young for it. Thank you though I knew I’d need to get her on a preventative med, just wasn’t sure which one. She’s our first cat so grateful for the advice.
StanleyChuckles@reddit
All good, it's best to be prepared.
BestGirlNat@reddit
Any cat. All cats should be house cats only because how destructive they are to local wildlife, and also how prone they are to get hit by cars. Also please don't get a breed like the Scottish fold that are very prone to having health issues
terryjuicelawson@reddit
They kill the odd mouse, I think the harm they do in a country like this is overstated. We do far worse things to harm local wildlife as humans. The problem is more with nations that never had cats and a more sensitive local population of small mammals and birds. If they are more likely to get hit by a car - they at least have a full and active life before that rather than miserable inside all the time.
BestGirlNat@reddit
The stats say otherwise though. This is the USA but it's very relevant: https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380
Cats do massive harm to local wildlife. Even if it was "just the odd mouse or bird", you do not understand the significant impact that causes in biodiversity. From my personal experience, my family have had outdoor cats for years and each of them would bring in roughly 1 mouse, bird or bat every 5-7 days.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
Cats that like their homes tend to stay indoors. Neutering, especially males, means they roam less. But overall, most cats are inclined to live colonially (i.e. with companions they like) and to remain in their comfortable home territory.
If you want to get a cat that mostly wants to be indoors, get a middle age or older adult cat from a cat rescue charity. They'll tend to stay more indoors, given a comfortable and quiet place to be.
Our cats have always had access to the outdoors, but they rarely go more than two houses away and don't stay out for more than an hour or two, because the garden and house are comfortable and familiar.
Tigertotz_411@reddit
Most of this is true, but cats are territorial and aren't inclined to live colonially, its more that they'll tolerate each other if there's a reliable enough food source. They also reproduce quickly, so a colony of feral cats could be one or two generations and their juvenile offspring rather than many different individuals choosing to associate.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
No, cats are inclined to live colonially. They hunt solitarily, but often live colonially and practice alloparenting.
Tigertotz_411@reddit
They don't exist. Cats understand territory, not indoors/outdoors. The size of the territory depends on the amount of food, shelter and stimulation/mating opportunities (which is why neutered cats roam less).
A lot of smaller/one level British homes simply won't suit most cats unless they are significantly adjusted to offer interest.
If you want it to stay indoors I would design your house with cats in mind, different heights of furniture placed together so the cat can climb and see things from above, or a top floor window that gives a great view of the surroundings.
nonotthereta@reddit
Ragdolls are usually advised to be indoor cats.
You can find indoor only cats at shelters though, if that's what they've always been used to.
Obvious-Water569@reddit
We adopted a rescue ragdoll last year and she's the epitome of a house cat,
constructuscorp@reddit
Yep, I came to recommend a ragdoll! They are very docile and sweet little babies.
tortoiseshell_claws@reddit
My indoor cat is an older tortoiseshell girl. The rescue centre advertised her as an indoor as she has zero experience of outdoors (lived in a house with lots of other cats / an old lady). She has been curious and come out on the back steps a few times but one gust of wind and she’s back in.
She is perfectly happy with her toys / beds and a slow (lazy) life. She was 6 when I adopted her so a lot calmer than a kitten.
No_Cress3459@reddit
British Short Hairs. Just be prepared to never leave food out again.
88savage@reddit
Do they just eat everything?
No_Cress3459@reddit
In my experience, yes. They will eat anything. Predatory little things.
Ryledra@reddit
My parents had one who’d eat the dogs’ food if you were too slow XD
No_Cress3459@reddit
Yikes… They’re terrors.
AllThatIHaveDone@reddit
No, they love to cook but they're terrible at it.
Civil-Koala-8899@reddit
That's interesting, my friend's british short hairs aren't bothered about human food! Whereas my russian blues literally can't be in the room with us if we're eating anything, we have to shut them out
No_Cress3459@reddit
How funny! Yes, I have to shut mine out when food is out and clean up immediately. That said, they’re handy at cleaning crumbs off the floor for me. :)
EatenByPolarBears@reddit
The Ragdoll cats I’ve known have been indoor cats. They are expensive though.
If you want to do a local cat shelter a favour, an older cat (over 10 years) or an FIV+ cat that has to be kept indoors would make good “house cats”
bluejackmovedagain@reddit
When we got our cat he was being re-homed as indoor only, he was about 5 but he'd never been outside and he's definitely not bright enough to learn road sense.
lilidragonfly@reddit
There's a ragdoll local to me that's allowed out and he literally goes visiting everyones houses, I've never encountered such a social cat. He's not vaguely put off by resident cats either, which ttacks because he's twice their size, but he's so chill its almost funny. He's like the Dude of cats.
HappyThrasher99@reddit
None of them. There is 0 cat breed in the history of evolution that was ever designed or destined to be locked in your house for your own amusement.
lilidragonfly@reddit
My British Blue didn't really like going outside much. She'd venture into her garden but that was the safe perimiter she was happy to go and no further, even though I had other cats at the same time who roamed the neighbourhood widely. I think other pedigrees can be similar from what I hear but it may also depend on individual personality. She was very dog like in her behaviour generally for a cat.
Moggycat82@reddit
My adopted tortoiseshell girl is pretty much a house cat. We have a fenced in back garden she likes to sit in but she doesnt go out of the house or garden. 95 percent of her time is spent with us inside. We had an abysinnian cat before her and he was a handful!
LayingInBracken@reddit
Some great suggestions already. If you can, consider a "catio", a secure outside "cage" for your cats, where they can bask in the sunshine, smell the air, look at the local birds etc etc. It'll be hugely beneficial for their state of mind.
Our late cat was an indoor / outdoor cat but that's because she walked up to us as a stray and decided we were her worthy butlers. After she passed we adopted two young sisters who've always been indoor cats and are not at all traffic savvy. We built them a catio and they love it. They enjoy running around and up and down the shelves we've put in, sniff the air, chase leaves...
doraisexploring27@reddit
Tbh every cat is different really. I have a domestic tabby cat and whilst we do technically let him out, all he wants to do is sit on the lawn, stretch his legs and come back inside, he’s never gone any farther than the garden fence and that’s entirely out of choice.
TanyaLola@reddit
My neighbour has a Persian cat. He is not interested in going outside at all. She even leaves the door open sometimes to get fresh air. The other neighbours' cats hang about on the stairs or the communal gardens but this Persian has zero interest. I have seen him peep out the door but any slightest sound, he runs back inside and stays inside. I've never seen him come out the door. The only problem is he sometimes gets poop stuck on his butt.
CarelessAnything@reddit
I don't think it's about the breed of the cat, so much as its age. Young cats are more motivated to defend and maintain a large territory. Elderly cats often have hip arthritis, dislike cold weather, and are generally slower, so they're much happier to sit around the house. You do still need to make an effort to keep them healthy and active indoors though.
Quiet_surprise79@reddit
It really depends on the cat. I've had some cats that loved being outdoors, and some that were barely bothered and just liked to sit in the garden for a bit and come back in. They just liked being where we were.
All of them were "moggy", some kind of generic domestic shorthair or mixed. I've never bought a specific breed of cat but shorthairs are easier to maintain, especially when they get older and struggle to groom themselves.
Your best bet is to visit a reputable rescue in your area (I don't just mean the big ones. Independent rescues can be reputable as well) because they can match you with cats that seem happiest as indoor cats.
FrostyAd9064@reddit
Adopt an FIV+ cat from Cats Protection. They need to stay indoors and so are hard to place but it has no impact on vets bills, etc.
AttersH@reddit
We’ve got Ragdolls & while they are known for being house cats, one of ours (who has recently passed away 😣) was desperate to be outside at all times. He was like Houdini at escaping, loved being outdoors & fussed constantly to go out.
Our other raggie is happy as larry indoors. Not interested in outside at all.
I guess it’s just personality types!
Civil-Koala-8899@reddit
We've got two russian blues who are very happy as house cats. I strongly recommend getting two though if you can afford it, as they play together and keep each other company. If I just had a single house cat I'd feel bad about leaving them alone while I'm at work or away for the weekend etc.
Mediocre-Opinion@reddit
Some breeds have more of a reputation for enjoying the home life but personality trumps any kind of genetic predisposition.
zephyrmox@reddit
Ragdolls. My cat would absolutely not survive if she was let outside. She'd probably lay down next to a fox expecting it to rub her belly.
Hookton@reddit
It's really dependent on the individual cat. You're best off speaking to your local rescues and asking after indoor cats. (But be prepared that this will likely mean an adult cat rather than a kitten.)
No_Promotion_65@reddit
Leopards
The_1_man_riot@reddit
Russian blue or bengal
skailantern@reddit
as a cat owner all my life, i’d say whichever cat you decide to bring home- keep them as house cats. i’ve lost one too many cats due to outside circumstances- cars, stolen, ran away. the cats might want to go out, but they’ll get used to staying in eventually. my Hercules has luckily outgrown the want to go out- he much prefers being at home cuddled next to me. Maya is still a playful little girl so she’s a bit more excited about the outside- but absolutely not. the pain of losing my last two cats as an adult, has traumatised me so much. i’ll never let my babies out for as long as i can help it.
Big_Coconut3666@reddit
Persian! But they are needy and I second u/No_Cress3459 with the food comment. Nothing can be left out haha
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