Cats can be happy and satisfied if kept entirely indoors. A survey has shown that they are likely to live twice as long, they cannot be stolen or run over, or pick up disease from another cat. Also, if your home has been made safe for your cat, he cannot get into danger such as being locked accidentally into a shed or vehicle, fall off a roof, get into fights, or be chased by a dog.

So many owners, when their cat no longer wants to go outside, ask how can they persuade him to do so. The simple answer is - do not. Your cat may have a very good reason for no longer wanting to go outside; perhaps a feline bruiser is making his life miserable, perhaps there is a cat-chasing dog that is always running loose, perhaps a neighbor is continually frightening him, or perhaps the cat is just old and prefers the comforts of indoors.

Many cats do not get the choice, because more and more owners are keeping their cats indoors from kitten-hood. This is not just pedigree animals (and many pedigree cats come from long lines of cats which have always been kept indoors), the non-pedigree cat is also being kept inside for safety. And they can lead happy and contented lives as long as everything they require is provided for them.

So what does an indoor cat need to keep him contented, fit and healthy? First of all, he needs space. You cannot keep a cat happy in one room. He must have places to play and hide, and halls or rooms large enough for him to run around in. He must also have things he can climb, whether this is a dresser or a cat climber; he must be able to get high off the floor and away from other cats if he feels like some peace and quiet.

An indoor cat should have other feline company to play with, to help exercise him and to keep him alert. In addition, he needs human companionship, which is why the most contented indoor cats have a non-working owner or an owner who works at home. He also needs somewhere to go when he wants to be alone, so a number of rooms which are not out-of-bounds is essential.

Regular exercise is just as important for an indoor cat. We, us humans, are all now convinced that we need daily exercise to counteract the sedentary life which most of us lead; we no longer need to hunt for our food, so we simply do not get the exercise which our ancestors did.

It is the same with the average domestic cat. Since they are well fed, they no longer need to hunt, nor do they have to fight other cats for territory, food, or a mate; so they get little natural exercise and an only cat may get virtually none at all. Two play sessions per day of around ten minutes each will therefore keep your cat fit and healthy and also strengthen his cardio vascular system.

These days, cats are among the most popular pet you can own. There are several breeds available, with the most popular being Persian and Siamese. Cats are a domesticated animal, with origins dating back some 8,000 years and beyond. Like any other pet that you may own, including dogs, cats cost money to take care of properly.

When you get a cat, you'll need to think about the costs. You'll obviously need food, and you'll also need to plan ahead for vet costs. You'll also need litter, which can tend to get quite expensive as the years go by. Your cat will need a litter box, food dish, and water dish. You should also invest in some toys as well, such as a scratching post, cat toys, a pet carrier, and a bed. You should also look into getting an ID collar as well, just in case your cat ever gets lost.

Feeding your pet will depend a great deal on his age. Older cats require two small meals or one large meal for the day. Kittens on the other hand, require several feedings a day until they get around the age of 12 weeks. Cats that are between three and six months of age need to be fed three times a day. Canned food can be fed to cats, although any food that has been left out longer than 30 minutes need to be disposed of. Canned food can get expensive fast, and you should always keep in mind that some may need to be thrown away when you buy it. Cats loved canned food, although it doesn't have any benefits to their dental health like dry food does.

As an alternative plan, you can always leave a supply of dry food out for your pet. When you give your cat dry food, you should always make sure that he has enough water. Dry food costs less than canned food, and it can also help to prevent the buildup of tartar on your cat's teeth. When you buy dry food, you should always look in terms of health and benefits, and stay away from generic food. Even though generic food may be cheaper, it may not offer the nutrients your pet needs.

If you own a kitten, you should only give you kitten food designed for him. You'll also need to clean and refill his water dish every day. Even though kittens and adult cats like cow's milk, you should avoid giving it to them as it can cause diarrhea. Treats are fine on occasion, although too many of them can cause your pet to get fat. Feeding your kitten human food is good on occasion, although you may have to mix it in with his cat food.

By themselves, cats stay fairly clean. Although you don't have to bathe them that often, you'll need to give them a brushing at least once a day. Brushing will reduce the risk of hairballs and keep your cat's coat nice and clean. If you are keeping your cat indoors, you'll need to have a litter box in an area that is easy for your cat to access. You should always scoop it on a daily basis, and clean it out once a week. Cats don't like to use dirty litter boxes, they prefer for it to be nice and clean.

Although cats do require some work, they are great pets that will provide you with years and years of companionship. As long as you take care of your cat and take him to the vet for his checkups, he should remain healthy. Even though cats can get sick from time to time - knowing how to care for him will make a world of difference.