What makes a good indoor cat

If you are in this position — living in a high rise building, for example — it may be best to find a cat breed that is happy to live indoors. Of course, there are loads of good reasons why you should rather keep a house cat over a free roamer. Scottish Fold cats, named for their unusual folded ears and striking, yellowish-orange eye colors, these kitties just love to be around people.

These easy-going cats have a great personality and get along with anyone. As active mousers, Scottish fold cats are playful, sensitive, and expressive. These joyful felines have a habit of posing in odd positions — sitting upright as if they were a meerkat, lying flat on the floor, or on their backs with their paws in the air. They are moderately active and enjoy toys that test their agility and challenge their intelligence, like puzzle toys. Scottish fold cats crave attention and make great companions, so expect to play with them when you get home from work or school.

The Burmese are friendly , personable, and kind kitties. With Siamese ancestors, these felines are playful and affectionate, but not clingy. Their coats are short and silky and are low-maintenance, requiring a weekly brush or combing to remove dead hair. Younger Burmese cats are curious and active, and as they get older, they become placid and prefer to watch rather than getting involved in activities. Burmese cats are excellent jumpers and climbers and should have cat perches or something to climb up on.

With bewitching blue eyes and relaxed nature, Ragdoll cats are adorable, loving, placid cats with sweet-natures. These docile felines have semi-long coats and may require grooming two to three times a week. They love their human families, including other pets and children.

Ragdoll cats enjoy frequent attention, often leaping into a lap, or retrieving toys thrown for them. Ragdoll cats adjust well to living indoors and are ideal pet cats for anyone with a hectic lifestyle, as they are easy-going and well behaved.

They learn quickly, as well as learn good behaviors such as using a scratching post. Siamese cats are one of the most adored and famous cat breeds.

They are intelligent, talkative, and lovely natured felines, making ideal family pets. These cats have unique short coats, with a light-colored body and silky smooth fur. Their face, paws, and tails are darker than the rest of their bodies. While they are great indoor cats, they seek companionship from their owners, including sitting on laps and snuggling in bed. Cats are often reluctant to use a dirty tray or one located in a busy area.

Ensure your cat has enough space. Indoor-only cats should have access to several rooms. Allow your cat access to a minimum of two types of resting places, one at floor level, enclosed on three sides and another higher one with a good view - this should be safe for your cat to access.

Provide scratching posts in several locations so they can mark territory, strengthen muscles and sharpen claws. Provide opportunities for daily exercise to stay fit and healthy. Cats can become frustrated and bored with indoor-only lifestyles.

Male Scottish Folds weigh between 4 to 6kg and females weigh between 2. Their average lifespan is 12 to 14 years. The Burmese is a strong, sporty cat that is simultaneously stocky and delicate. Despite their relative heaviness, they are elegant and graceful cats with strong muscles and good bone structure. Their coats are short, silky, and very low-maintenance. Burmese Cats are intelligent, social and very playful, and love being indoors with their family.

Male and female Burmese cats can be quite different. Females tend to be very curious, active and emotional, while males are generally more relaxed and lazy. They get along well with children and other pets and make great companions for the whole family. Its appearance is quite unique, with a light-coloured body and a darker face, paws, ears and tail. Its body is long and muscular, its eyes are large, almond-shaped and blue, its tail is long and thin, and its fur is short, soft, and silky.

And like dogs, they need lots of toys and playtime to keep their body and mind occupied. While they are great indoor cats, the Siamese is so playful, entertaining and energetic that they require a great deal of human interaction to remain happy.

They may not suit owners who leave them home alone for extended periods of time as they are prone to mischief if left to their own devices. Male Siamese Cats weigh between 4 and 6 kg, while females weigh around 2. Their lifespan is around 15 to 20 years, though some have been known to surpass this.

The Himalayan cat is a medium-sized cat that is descended from the Siamese and Persian breeds. It is very similar in appearance to the Persian in many of its physical features, such as a round body, short legs, and two facial variations: traditional similar to the Persian , or peke-faced named after the flat-faced Pekingese dog breed. Possessing the best characteristics of the Siamese and Persian breeds, Himalayans make great indoor pets.

They are loyal and affectionate creatures who require lots of attention and love, but tend to play favourites among their owners. They are very social, sweet and intelligent, and have been known to be quite talkative. Their activity levels lie between those of the Siamese and Persian, so they are equally happy to play as they are to relax, making them great family companions.

Himalayans usually weigh around 5 kg, but females may weigh less and males may weigh more. They have a lifespan of 9 to 15 years. The Devon Rex is a unique-looking cat breed, characterised by a silky, wavy coat, large ears and eyes, prominent cheekbones and a short muzzle.

The Devon Rex is a very affectionate breed — these cats love to be around their owners and can even be seen on the shoulders of their loved ones. They are attentive and sociable and are happy to follow their family around the house as they go about their day.

Unlike many cat breeds, the Devon Rex is highly trainable and can be taught how to walk on a leash, play fetch, and learn tricks such as sit and jump — much like a dog. The Devon Rex is a relatively small cat, with males weighing 3 to 4 kg while females weigh between 2 and 3 kg. Their lifespan is 9 to 13 years. With its gentle expression and loveable temperament, a Birman is a great option for those wanting a quiet, docile and affectionate indoor cat. Birmans have a soft, quiet voice which they will use to alert you if they are hungry or need some attention.

These cats love to cuddle and are content to relax with you on the couch. They like to follow their owners around and be involved, but are not bossy. Such breeds are more likely to enjoy frequent social interaction and so be happy to share his or her living space with other people and pets. The following cats are known for their loyalty, love of affection be it play or grooming and are much more tolerant of people:.

As such there are plenty of cat owners who, despite their allergy, still long to live with a pet cat. Fortunately, there are hypoallergenic cat breeds which are less likely to cause an allergic response. Indoor cat breeds that are also hypoallergenic are likely to make better indoor pets, as allergy sufferers will be spending more time in close proximity to them.

Boredom may also lead to increased attention to food and over-sleeping, resulting in weight gain. If they struggle to regulate their own food intake, choose a meal diet which contains less fat to suit the lower activity levels of housecats. Become a friend of James Wellbeloved and receive offers, updates and news.