2 ms·

Isn't it very important to have at least 2 cats, when they are indoors? I was told this by a vet.

ornornor 3y ago
I think this depends more on your lifestyle. If you're never home and can't play with your cat, there is nothing to watch out of the windows (birds, nature...), no toys, etc then I guess two cats make sense because they can entertain each other. But otherwise, it's fine. We were feeling guilty about keeping our cat indoors after the incident (it's not in their nature, etc) but every (North American) vet told us that they'd love it if all the cats they look after were indoors. They'd have way less diseases, wounds, maiming, etc. In Europe, vets weren't as adamant about keeping the cat indoors but they all agreed it's still better than outdoors. Our cat lived both in Canada and Switzerland. Whenever we were hearing vicious cat fights outside for 10--15 minutes at a time, it felt very nice to look at ours peacefully curled on our bed rather than worrying if that was the sound of our cat losing an eye or getting notched ears and the expensive associated subsequent vet visit. They also require less vaccines from not being exposed to other cats and animals, and even though the vaccines are safe, it's still avoiding the very low chance of an adverse reaction (and the cost of the shot and boosters).
- Der_Einzige 3y ago
  Shorter life of freedom and enjoyment is better than a long life stuck in a box. The real reason why they incentivize cats to stay indoors is to spare bird populations. Anything else is a cope.
  - ornornor 3y ago
    Indoors cats can have a happy, full, low stress life indoors. The onus is on you to make sure that’s the case. It means providing entertainment (play, toys, windows) and making a little effort. Indoors cats are not in prison like you’re trying to make it sound.
- carstenhag 3y ago
  This was in Europe and I was working from home during that time. We only had one cat. I played with it for sure, but not for hours. He had a window. Made weird sounds, especially at night. Once we got the second cat it was much better, at least to us he seemed way more chill.

I think this depends more on your lifestyle. If you're never home and can't play with your cat, there is nothing to watch out of the windows (birds, nature...), no toys, etc then I guess two cats make sense because they can entertain each other. But otherwise, it's fine. We were feeling guilty about keeping our cat indoors after the incident (it's not in their nature, etc) but every (North American) vet told us that they'd love it if all the cats they look after were indoors. They'd have way less diseases, wounds, maiming, etc. In Europe, vets weren't as adamant about keeping the cat indoors but they all agreed it's still better than outdoors. Our cat lived both in Canada and Switzerland. Whenever we were hearing vicious cat fights outside for 10--15 minutes at a time, it felt very nice to look at ours peacefully curled on our bed rather than worrying if that was the sound of our cat losing an eye or getting notched ears and the expensive associated subsequent vet visit. They also require less vaccines from not being exposed to other cats and animals, and even though the vaccines are safe, it's still avoiding the very low chance of an adverse reaction (and the cost of the shot and boosters).

Der_Einzige 3y ago
Shorter life of freedom and enjoyment is better than a long life stuck in a box. The real reason why they incentivize cats to stay indoors is to spare bird populations. Anything else is a cope.
- ornornor 3y ago
  Indoors cats can have a happy, full, low stress life indoors. The onus is on you to make sure that’s the case. It means providing entertainment (play, toys, windows) and making a little effort. Indoors cats are not in prison like you’re trying to make it sound.
carstenhag 3y ago
This was in Europe and I was working from home during that time. We only had one cat. I played with it for sure, but not for hours. He had a window. Made weird sounds, especially at night. Once we got the second cat it was much better, at least to us he seemed way more chill.