How do I stop my cat from wanting to explore outside?

Question

I have a male kitten, going on nearly 1 year old now. From the time i adopted him at 6 weeks old he has been an indoor cat. We live in a complex where they do not allow cats to roam around outside as they are considered "nuisances" to others. My kitten is so anxious to get out the house and explore outside, I feel selfish to keep him inside but I dont really have much choice in the matter. He tries to get out the doors every time they opened, and the other day managed to escape out a window, it took us a good 10 minutes to realise he was outside. Since his recent little "journey" outside he waits by the door meowing to go outside. I feel so bad for him and dont know what to do. He has all his needs catered for inside, plenty toys, food, litterbox and has the run of the house? PS - he has been neutered as well. Any suggestions to get him to be happy just being an indoor kitty?

Answer 1

My boy, BJ, is about the same age, same situation.  But we chose to take him outside a few times a day.  Now we have a fenced in yard, but he is not allowed out of the fenced area.  I keep an eye on him when I'm working in the garden or working out doors.  May I suggest a lease?  You may be surprised at his response to it.  It WILL take a while for him to become used to it, but I think the stimulation might help both of you out.  I know that BJ comes in tired and is willing to relax more than he was able to in the past.

But if you put him on a tie out WITH you there  It may just satisfy him.

Also, try a spray bottle of water to keep him indoors if he is trying to escape.  get a friend to stand outside of your door and spritz him if he tries to escape.

Hope this helps,

Pat

Answer 2

i don;t know, as cats are independant creatures and enjoy going out to hunt...i would ask you to pose this question to yourself- what would make YOU feel happier about not being allowed outside?

My mum gave her cat away (to me...) when she had to move into a flat ('apartment') because she felt so bad about not being able to provide garden access.

However I support your 'right' to keep a cat if you choose to. But it is important to have them happy!

It may have been better to get an older cat who was already an 'indoor' cat because you know it suits their personality.

But I am not suggesting you give your little boy up, please don't get me wrong!

Why is it not allowed to have him outside? Is it just considered 'bad ettiquette' or is it a rule that you do not do so? I would be inclined to let him out from time to time...I do not know how to help you keep him happy inside as i would hate it and would not like to keep my own cats in as they would hate it...i have been trying recently as i have had one spayed and the other has kittens so trying to keep one in for the stitches and the other to prevent pregnancy until she CAN be spayed and it is HARD work  

Answer 3

the only way for you to keep him inside is buy a screen door and make sure you have screens on your windows and if you are unable to do that buy a squirt bottle fill it with water and just spray him as you are walking to the door cats hate water so he will most likely run and hide

Answer 4

This is the toughest predicament for any cat owner, deciding if kitty is going to be let outside or not.  A cat is a fiercely independent and an intensely curious creature.  That makes them very hard to pen up in a house.  I do let my cats outside and I always have.  Since I have a whole family of them I think they probably watch over one another and the older ones, especially, don't go very far.  Not even out of the yard.  The younger ones?  Who knows what they're up to.  My son keeps his inside all the time.  He provides them with a very nice "kitty condo" and I swear, those cats have more toys than my son ever had!  They just don't seem to be as happy and they never do get over trying to get out or escape.  Your cat must be spayed or neutered if you let them out and you can never let a cat outside if he's been declawed (I don't get how somebody could do that to a cat anyway...)  Your cat may be happier if he gets to go outside but there is always the possible trade off that he gets a shorter life.  Something can always happen to him in the great outdoors and if they aren't happy with you, they could always run away.  It's a risk you have to decide if you'll take or not.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Another suggestion would be to get him fixed. He will lose the drive if he's fixed. It's all those hormones building up. Heat is coming.

Answer 6

I don't know that you can stop his desire.  It sounds like you've already made his home as interesting as you can.  I can only suggest making sure that he's got plenty of windows he can sit in to look outside and whenever possible, open it for him (screened windows of course).

People have tried to train their cats to walk on a leash.  You can give it a shot - at least you might be able to sit outside with him on a harness and leash, if not actually going for walks.

One possibility would be to get him an enclosure to hang out in.  They make pens for this.  You would of course have to hang out with him but if it's a nice day that wouldn't be so bad.  Set it up in whatever yard area you have where it's going to be relatively quiet and preferably with both sun and shade.