Of course, there are many good reasons to keep a house cat rather than a free roamer. Quite aside from saving your neighbours from being bothered by cat poop and that otherworldly mating sound, it can sometimes be good for the cat itself. Domestic cats are not particularly suited to urban Britain, where cars, pollution, and bigger, angrier cats threaten their welfare.
Which breed of cat makes a good house cat?
But if you are set on getting a house cat, there are a few things to bear in mind. You should note that while cats don’t need as much exercise as dogs, an indoor cat may require a bit more play and interaction than an outdoor cat if it is to stay ‘happy’ (as far as cats can be) and healthy.
If you keep multiple house cats, they may need their own space. It’s best in any case to give your cat multiple feeding, toilet, and quiet places around the house to replicate to some degree the freedom that it would enjoy in the wild.
And you should also remember that indoors can be just as dangerous as outdoors if you don’t prepare it for a feline presence. Houseplants, cleaning fluids, tools, and other pets can all pose a risk to a house cat so you need to be careful.
Finally, not all breeds of cat are suited to crib life. So let’s take a look at some of the best choices for stay-at-home cats.
House cat breed #1: The Ragdoll
As its name suggests, the ragdoll cat doesn’t have much get-up-and-go. No, it’s far more of a flop-down-and-stay kind of critter. In fact, you can think of it as an extra cushion that purrs and occasionally swipes at you. And who wouldn’t want one of those?
The ragdoll doesn’t suit outdoor life since, in addition to being a lazybones, its street smarts are somewhat limited. Allow a ragdoll access to a road that’s busy with cars, and it may be returned to you limp for altogether different reasons than its habitual laidbackedness.
However, keep it indoors and you’re unlikely to get much resistance. The ragdoll lacks a sense of adventure and will not spend hours concocting an escape plan. It will find everything it needs around your home.
House cat breed #2: The Sphynx
When you’re ‘thin up top’ every season poses a risk during outside adventures. Winters chill your skull; the summer fries your scalp. It’s just the same for the sphynx, a more or less bald cat (who is, all the same, not hypoallergenic).
Thus, if baldies are your type, you may find your sphynx is best kept indoors, and allowed out only to the garden for brief excursions. If you don’t mind developing a reputation as an eccentric, you can even harness the critter up and take it for a walk around the block. But any extended time in the sun or cold weather should be countered with (feline) sun-block or winter-wear.
House cat breed #3: The Persian
Old grumpy face will be perfectly happy kept indoors with its armchair to fall back on and occasional play or conversation with its human companions. It’s a placid, long-haired animal, so it should be fine lazing around at home staring at itself in the mirror. That said, do bear in mind this creature is quite high maintenance: it will make significant demands on both your company and your grooming skills.
Since this luxurious cat is available in silver, gold, smoky, tabby, and Himalayan varieties, you will never have trouble finding one to fit your home’s décor.
House cat breed #4: The Javanese
The Java is another looker, albeit with shorter hair and a less intensive grooming regime.
Neither will it make such demands on your social energies as a Persian; but that said, you will need to pay it some attention when you get home from work. This cat comes recommended for elderly people, families with children, and first-time cat owners.
Ready to open your home up to pint-sized sociopath? There are lots of great options available.
