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Junior Member
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Last Login: 11/18/2009 6:39:53 PM
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| hi i got a ? my cat fuzzyball and his friends are moveing to the city his is 12years old indoor - outdoor cat i am moveing from county to city and he has to stay inside how do i get him to become a indoor house cat he always runing to the door and meowing at times i don't want him to run out the door and get hurt or killed . we have a main highway nexit to us. if anyone can help me thank you please get back with about my post
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Supreme Being
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Fuzzball isn't going to like being inside all the time at first, we will meow and cry, but you have to just keep him inside. Try playing with him more to keep his mind off of wanting to go outside. It may take a few weeks but Fuzzball with soon learn that he won't be going outside anymore. If Fuzzball is going to be tempted to run out the door you just have to be very careful when going in and out the door.
  
"The really great thing about cats is their endless variety. One can pick a cat to fit any kind of decor, color scheme, income, personality, mood. But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world's free souls." Eric Gurnery
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Supreme Being
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| There are a couple things you can do that will help. The first is to make sure that every window has a perch, so he can watch the world go by. If there are things to watch ... a bird feeder is a good example, or bushes that birds visit ... so much the better. If you wanted to get really fancy, you'ld make a window box that let him perch just 'outside' the window, letting him feel the wind in his whiskers. Ditto for the front door; they can enjoy just laying by a glass or screen 'storm' door. Probably the best thing - this is my opinion, and some animal groups will strongly disagree - is to put him on a leash every day, and let him roam / explore / play outside for a little while every day. Let this be your 'special' time together. In my experience, this does wonders in reducing their urge to dash out the door. An added plus is that, should they get out, they won't be paniced by all the new sounds and smells. Comfortable with you near them, you just have to walk up to them and pick them up. Don't forget 'mental stimulation' inside. Fish bowl, bird cage, gerbil run .... even potted plants will give kitty some variety in what could otherwise be a very sterile, boring place. Plenty of perches and hiding places - high and low.
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Forum Guru
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make sure he has opportunity to look outside, maybe a balkony?
It will be difficult at first, but with patience both of you will do fine.
Make sure he has plenty of mental stimulation, i.e. climbing perches, cathouse, anything to keep him busy.
good luck to both of you.
Dogs think their human, Cats know they are .
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 11/3/2009 11:34:12 AM
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| Poor kitty. Once a cat has enjoyed the freedom of being outside, they will usually never be happy as indoor only cats, no matter what you do. He will most likely develop behavior problems like over grooming, spraying and over bonding with you, not to mention he could hurt if he darts out the door. Is this stay in the city long term? Either way, it may be best to consider rehoming your cat, or keeping him at a friend or relative's house until you're city stay is over. (who cans safely allow him outdoors.) I couldn't make out very clearly what your situation is, but in most cases like these, cats are the ones who really get the raw end of the deal. I've heard of way too many stories of outdoor cats turning into a mess after moving to the city.
Live, and let live. "true profit is measured by quality of life." "We have cats to enhance our lives, we owe it to them to allow them to enjoy theirs."
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Forum Guru
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I would never recommend rehoming the cat, he is already in a strange placen, then to take him away from the people he knows is going to make his situation worse.
The cat will get used to the new surroundings slowly, with time it will get better.
Dogs think their human, Cats know they are .
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Supreme Being
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| I agree with Einstein's Mom. Cats are resilient creatures and can, and do, adapt to new situations - sometimes a lot easier than we humans believe! Rehoming an animal isn't always a good solution. Keep in mind, the animals love us just as much as we love them, and they can't understand why they're suddenly in the care of strangers and can't find the folks they knew and loved! Training your indoor/outdoor kitty to be strictly an indoor cat won't be easy. It will require time, patience, and effort. But do give it a try before you find him a new home!
Cats_Dolls  
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Community Moderator
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Hi fuzzy ball,
One of our cat experts answered a question similar to yours. You might find it helpful. Although some of the above have already offered you some great suggestions that are in the article.
My Cat Is Unsettled by a Move
CatChannel expert Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, offers suggestions for helping cat adjust to change.
http://www.catchannel.com/experts/marilyn-krieger/my-cat-is-unsettled-by-move.aspx
FeathersNFuz, Community Moderator
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Member
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Are you moving anywhere with a yard and can it be fenced? If so, try a do it yourself cat fence. We did and it works very well for our cats. Materials are simple garden poles and garden netting, and it ran me about $150 to put over my existing chain link fence. Check out directions and photos on my website www.jeffinnakari.weebly.com This way he can get his outdoor fix safely.
I am in general an indoor cat advocate. However, over the years, my cats have been mostly semi feral and farm cat rescues and these cats are impossible to convert to indoor only. They are meowing by the door. If I got a bag of groceries in one hand and keys in the other, they will use the opportunity to get out. I am very much against free roaming cats due various factors - health, safety, bird kills, cruel people. So the fenced yard is a way to allow the cat to have a safe environment and still enjoy the outdoors.
If you dont have an option to fence, I guess maybe use fencing materials and build a little enclosure for the cat to hang out in. Google cat enclosure and there are a handful of sites. Otherwise tie out on a leash works, but I have seen cats wriggle out of a harness within seconds, so he would have to be supervised.
Best of luck
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Freia born 2001, gray and white
Buddy, born 2004, orange tabby
Cubby, born 2008, brown tabby/tortie
Vinny, born 2008, buff tabby Oskar, brown tabby, 1995-2008, Pumpkin, calico, 1987-2009, Oddleif, gray and white, 1994-2002, Twix, solid gray longhair, 1992-2003
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Member
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| I didn't convert my cats to indoor only - they just seemed inclined to be that way. But one of the things that I have for them is a window "box". It is a small cage that fits in the window. It has a pet door so the cats can go in and out as they want. This allows them some outside sights, sounds, and smells without them being unprotected. This is kinda of expensive, but is really a one time cost. I got mine at drsfosterandsmith.com. Good luck with the move.
 
Ebony and Minx rule my house
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