Cats are independent creatures and love to roam at will. Whether your cat is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, its wellbeing is of utmost concern. As with most things where there are two opposing choices, there are arguments for and against each side. It is necessary for you, the cat owner, to make your decision before you get your kitten or cat and to have everything in place and ready for the new arrival.

If your cat is to be an indoor cat, make sure you have a variety of toys available for it to play with. Spend time teaching your cat or kitten how to play with these toys. Just like children, they need to be shown what to do. Types of toys need to include things they can pounce on, bat or pat with their paws, chase, throw into the air (a small plastic ball is ideal), something dangling from a chair or stool, something that swings or has feathers etc. These will satisfy your cat's instinctive need to hunt and catch prey. Squeaky toys are also popular.

Your indoor cat will also need a climbing frame/scratching post (unless you don't mind your furniture being scratched). Cats love to be up high and looking down on their ‘domain'. Climbing frames work better than curtains. Again, teach your cat how to use it. Try to give your cat a ‘moving view' outside an uncurtained window - perhaps hanging some bird seed in a nearby tree or a view of the street. This can often keep cats happy for ages.

If you've decided to have an outdoor cat the first thing you'll need is a ‘cat door'. I'm not going to go into explanations here. If you don't know what it is check with your local pet store. You can also build an outdoor enclosure that is accessed from the house. It will need equipping with something to climb on, different surfaces to walk on etc. Again, check your pet store or online for ideas. Be aware that this is not a cheap option, but does take care of the problems talked about below. Another option that is fairly new on the market is a ‘rolling top rail' for your fence. It works the way it sounds, if your cat tries to jump the fence and lands on it, it will roll, preventing your pet from escaping. This will keep your cat in your own back yard but be aware of any trees near the fence.

If you don't mind where your cat goes when it's outside, be aware of the obvious dangers from traffic, dogs and territorial fights with other cats. There are also the less obvious dangers - if your cat is an expensive pedigree there are those who take them and sell them for profit. There are also the dangers to wildlife in your area. Birds, lizards and small animals are just some that could be maimed or killed by your cat doing ‘what comes naturally'. It is part of a cat's genetic makeup to hunt and kill its food. This aspect of an outdoor cat is something that you will have to make a decision on based on your own values.

Whichever way you decide to go, indoor or outdoor cat, always make time to play with and give loving attention to your pet. They will reward you with love for years.