I’ve met a number of people who used to let their cats out. But, as they declare to me over and over, Something happened, and I can’t go through that again.
If a cat doesn’t go out, they associate “going out” with things like vet visits and being abandoned at the shelter, and staying inside is just peachy with them, thank you very much.
But this isn’t always the case. We might adopt a cat who was used to going out, or we might have changed our mind about them going out when we move to a new area, our present area changes, or we have a bad experience and decide we will make the conversion.
So how do we get cats to see the front door as danger, not delight?
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We have two weapons: dissuasion and distraction.
To give the cat the idea that the outdoors is not the undiluted place of fun they imagine it to be, we can try conveying this concept with a psychodrama technique I call The Water Monster.
This is especially effective when we are making the change along with a move, either for us or for our new cat. They can accept that the outdoors they remember is different from the outdoors in their new place. But it can also be used to convince our present cats that Something Has Changed. Even if it is our mind.
We must turn off the dash-for-the-door reflex, or we risk hurting the cat with a hastily closed door, or not preventing the cat getting out, which just reinforces their efforts. Every person in the house has to commit to keeping the cats in while they are being re-trained. Every time they get out teaches them that they can get out if they try hard enough.
Then it becomes a game; one they will always win. They love plotting and strategizing. It’s what they do.
The distraction part of our new bargain is that we commit to making the indoors as interesting as the outdoors. We can’t expect the cat to stay indoors instead of going outdoors; and for nothing else to change. There is a lot of activity the cat is going to need a substitute for, whatever it might be.
If they like to climb and explore, get a cat tree, play tunnels, or just have a cardboard box in the living room for a while.
Sometimes, a great solution is to get them a buddy. We could give in to the children’s request for some hamsters, because the cat will enjoy them too. (Secure the cage and its door, of course.) A covered aquarium or a caged bird is another hobby we can share with our cats.
Involve them in more activities with us. Call them when we will be sitting on the couch for a while, get new toys that are just for certain times of day, such as mealtime or homework time. If the cat has not been around for these times, they might need to be shown the proper etiquette for when we are eating, cooking, or working with Superglue.
They will want to look out the windows, a lot. So clear off tables, install kitty shelves, and otherwise encourage them to continue their watching activities. A bird feeder or birdbath will create some traveling road shows to keep their interest. The Kitty Store has a number of delightful options.
Plant some kitty grass so they will leave houseplants alone. They might ask for a dripping faucet or having the water dish refilled more often. Getting them a pet fountain can help with these demands.
We might, or might not, see more activity in the litter box. Be prepared to add a box in another area, away from the other boxes, to ease territory concerns.
Remember, we did this to have the cat, longer. But we will also have the cat, more.
So that’s two good reasons.
Help our cat get over what they are missing. We invented Herbal Cat Toys to help wake up the cat’s senses and recreate the feel of the wild for them. See all the varieties we offer.
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