http://www.care2.com/greenliving/bringing-an-outdoor-cat-inside.html
Bringing an Outdoor Cat Inside
Living in the city I have always had indoor cats, but I see plenty of outdoor cats and recently met someone seeking advice on how to get a stray she had befriended into her home for the winter. Part of me wonders if a feral cat might be happier to live outside, the ones in my neighborhood seem quite well-fed and frolicsome. But then I think of February in the Northeast, not to mention that Red-tailed Hawk that was repeatedly visiting our backyard around breakfast time last summer. (In Brooklyn, imagine: a bird of prey!)
According to the Humane Society of the United States:
1. Transforming a free-roaming cat into a safe cat can be done, but it does require planning, persistence, and patience. The key is to make the change from outdoors to indoors gradually, until the new way of life becomes old hat. Many cats will adjust with minimal effort while others will be miserable–and let you know it. They may scratch at doors, claw at windows, yowl, and try to dash through open doors.
2. If your cat has never used a scratching post or a litter box, introduce both items well in advance of transitioning your cat to a life inside. If you’re feeding your cat outdoors, begin feeding him indoors. Then, instead of letting the cat back outside as soon as he’s finished eating, keep him inside for gradually longer periods of time.
3. Other members of the household may have to be “retrained” to close doors quickly and provide more stimulation for their feline friend. Playing with the cat is a great way to keep both his mind and his body in shape. Some former free-roamers will appreciate your providing “kitty greens” for them to munch on instead of your houseplants: Try planting grass, alfalfa, catnip, wheat, or oat grass (sold in pet supply stores) in indoor pots for this purpose.
4. If you live in a climate that has cold winters, that season may be the perfect time to help your cat make the transition to a life indoors. Your cat is likely to appreciate a warm, dry bed in which to snuggle. After the weather warms up and you’ve checked that screens are secure, open the window and let your cat feel and sniff the fresh air. Or, if your cat is docile enough, take him outside in your arms or on a leash attached to a harness.
5. If you’re having trouble slowly transitioning your cat to a happy life indoors, it may be better to go “cold turkey.” Letting your cat outdoors occasionally may only reinforce his pestering behaviors. Your veterinarian may prescribe short-term drug or homeopathic therapy to help your cat through the transition period.
6. If you have an indoor cat who is scratching your couch or not using the litter box, think twice before you put your cat outdoors. Consult your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems that could be contributing to problem behaviors. If your cat gets a clean bill of health, work with your veterinarian, a trainer, or animal behavior specialist who uses positive training techniques. There is always a reason, from your cat’s point of view, for behavior that you consider to be inappropriate. He is not acting out of spite or revenge. Patience and persistence, not punishment, are the best way to get your cat back to his good habits.
7. If allergies or pregnancy make you think about putting your cat outside or even giving up the cat, consult your physician and learn how to manage those conditions while keeping your cat safe.
8. By providing for your indoor cat’s physical and emotional needs, you can create a safe and stimulating environment. Although domesticated several thousand years ago, cats still retain many behaviors of their wild ancestors. These delightful behaviors can be played out in the great indoors. A paper grocery bag, a cat’s vivid imagination, and your caring attitude will go a long way toward keeping you and your cat young at heart.
related stories
-
(3 comments)
-
(2 comments)
-
(12 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
23 comments
add your comment »great helping hints. it's a hassle, but worth it to keep your cat healthier and happier... and have a much longer life span.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thanksss...
Kabin
Konteyner
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Past Member, I do appreciate your sentiment but it is still a fact that cats are not a native predator here and are very destructive. Their "right" to live free does not supercede the nature of the community. As a responsible person, I can recognize that the birds and frogs have enough to deal with without being eaten by my cats.
You romanticize the nature of the cat...Does that mean you never neutered or spayed them either, because by nature the queens would be dropping 2 litters or more a year. Are you part of the reason for all the feral cats over at the dumpster suffering from mange? and getting run over?
Believe me, they don't look at all happy flattened on the yellow line and they are living a fully natural life with NO human to order them around and strcture their lives. If you believe in their freedom to live naturally, why do you get vaccinations for them? Viruses have rights too.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Past Member, I do appreciate your sentiment but it is still a fact that cats are not a native predator here and are very destructive. Their "right" to live free does not supercede the nature of the community. As a responsible person, I can recognize that the birds and frogs have enough to deal with without being eaten by my cats.
You romanticize the nature of the cat...Does that mean you never neutered or spayed them either, because by nature the queens would be dropping 2 litters or more a year. Are you part of the reason for all the feral cats over at the dumpster suffering from mange? and getting run over?
Believe me, they don't look at all happy flattened on the yellow line and they are living a fully natural life with NO human to order them around and strcture their lives. If you believe in their freedom to live naturally, why do you get vaccinations for them? Viruses have rights too.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Past Member, I do appreciate your sentiment but it is still a fact that cats are not a native predator here and are very destructive. Their "right" to live free does not supercede the nature of the community. As a responsible person, I can recognize that the birds and frogs have enough to deal with without being eaten by my cats.
You romanticize the nature of the cat...Does that mean you never neutered or spayed them either, because by nature the queens would be dropping 2 litters or more a year. Are you part of the reason for all the feral cats over at the dumpster suffering from mange? and getting run over?
Believe me, they don't look at all happy flattened on the yellow line and they are living a fully natural life with NO human to order them around and strcture their lives. If you believe in their freedom to live naturally, why do you get vaccinations for them? Viruses have rights too.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I don't understand how people can keep a cat inside when their natural environment is outside. If you are a veterinary, maybe you are being to rational and need to be a little more emotional. Doctors see people injured everyday, Do they tell people not to leave their homes? No, that is ridiculous. I feel that cats are being excluded from society and being treated as pests. They do not harm anyone and excrements are natural. Will you start putting all birds in cages so they don't bother anyone or hurt themselves? In my family, we have always left cats to roam except for those who were afraid to go outside etc. We have never needed to bring them to the vet other then for vaccinations and I never had diseases, bugs or anything else. My cats are HAPPY & HEALTHY
Now, maybe you should lock yourself in your house for a few months to see how much you like it.
Also, air in the house can be dangerous and even deadly. If going outside is important for human beings, it is just as important for animals.
If they are not free to roam, at least allow them go outside and breathe fresh air.
Cat Lover
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Most cats will adjust beautifully to indoor life, especially with a little effort to make the indoors great. My cats can leap, climb, scratch (love the corrogated cardboard pads, 4 of them in different spots), hide in cubby holes, sit in sunny spots, watch birds at the feeders from 2 different windows, play with toys ( I use a boot box and cut holes in the sides and top as a "toy box", they fish 'em out, I stuff 'em back). They can get away from each other or interact as they choose.
Their "litter boxes" are actually mortor pans from the hardware store, huge and cheap.
I admit failure with one cat, a neutered adult barn cat, would not adapt to strictly indoor life. He had previously been kicked by a horse and was crippled so I could take him out and he didn't make much impact on wildlife. He loved being in with us and often I would put him in my greenhouse when there were no toxic plants in reach.
My strictly indoor cats only go to the vet for routine checkups. They don't have fleas, parasites (from eating wild food and drinking wild water). They don't have abcesses, broken bones, or fall prey to coyotes.
Most importantly, they don't prey on native wildlife (birds, frogs, lizards, young rabbits, all of which were brought to the door when I used to let them out 25 years ago). Cats are not native predators here (or in but a very few places) and are highly destructive to the environment when allowed to run free.
Consider these things as well.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
There is no need to be personally insulting, just because I have a different opinion to you. I have three cats, all of whom were rescued and I am also feeding a fourth stray. All my cats are neutered - there are far too many unwanted and unloved animals out there. I only speak from my own experience. I have had cats all my life and I know how miserable they would be if they were shut in all the time. All my cats have always been let out and none have ever been run over. One in particular gets distressed if she is shut in for more than 24 hours when I move house. My cats are between 9 and 16 years old and have always been let out and have never got hurt so I must be doing something right! Cats love their freedom and maybe it is different in America but I would rather give my cats the life they love rather than over-coddling them, despite the chance of something happening to them. That's life after all. Would you keep children locked up indoors until they're 18 to keep them "safe"?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Laurie - I could not agree witih you more. When I read her message I was very upset but I didn't respond to it. I'm so glad that you did. You have the experience and you hit the nail right on the head. Some people just "don't get it". Thanks for explaining.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Loveday P, your comments are very ignorant. I am a veterinary technician and work with cats only. For several years I worked at a practice downtown where most owners kept their cats indoors at all times. I now work at a practice on the outskirts of the city and I am amazed at the difference. I recently commented to my boss that the majority of our business comes from cats who are allowed outside.
We've seen many cats with broken pelvises and other injuries from being hit by cars. Lots of cats come in with abcesses from bite wounds, which can kill a cat if left untreated. Cats come in infested with fleas, faces covered in ticks, and loaded with intestinal parasites (which can affect you and your children!). I know of a cat who froze to death in a tree, outdoor cats who never came home, a cat mauled to death by a neighbor's dog. Recently, an owner brought his cat in who'd been hit by a car. He wanted her remains disposed of. The cat was in a box, and when I opened it, I discovered her head had been run over. I burst into tears for this poor thing, who was obviously not "perfectly capable of taking care of herself and making up her own mind."
Keep your cats indoors and provide them with affection and stimulation and they will have no interest in going outdoors -- and their chances of living long, happy, healthy lives will be greatly improved!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: