This has become a relatively new idea; to keep a cat solely as a house cat and to never allow it to roam outside. Some pet owners think that it is essential to allow a cat outside to follow its natural instincts to hunt, explore its territory and to go to the toilet. However, since we can now buy cat litter at most supermarkets and at all pet stores, then the latter is no longer a problem. In the past, if you lived in a flat which was not located on a ground floor, then you would never consider having a cat as a pet. Nowadays many city dwellers are happy to keep a cat in a top floor flat where it is not possible for their pet to access the outside world.

It does appear that house cats tend to live longer, healthier lives and, particularly if you live in a busy town or on a busy road, then it is bound to be much safer to keep your cat indoors. Indoor cats are unlikely to catch fleas and parasites from another animal and will not get into scraps and fights with another territorial cat, which may lead to a trip to the vet. However, cats which are never allowed to venture outside may suffer psychologically and adopt some strange, and even neurotic, behavioural habits.