Outdoor cats endanger local wildlife, especially birds. They are also at greater risk of infections, diseases, traffic accidents and assaults by other animals. For these reasons, getting your cat used to living indoors is good for him and for the environment. Most dogs can learn to live well indoors; just give them time to settle in and a house full of toys, trees and other cat amenities to keep them happy and active.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparing Your Cat for Life at Home
Step 1. Train your cat to use an outdoor scratching post
Your kitty will always have a habit of getting his nails done and if he doesn't know how to use a scratching post, he will be satisfied with the furniture. Place the scratcher in a dry spot near the food bowls. Give your pet at least a week to get used to the new item before bringing it indoors.
Step 2. Train your cat to use a litter box outside
Place one outdoors in a dry place and fill it with fine-grained clumping sand. Give your pet a week or so to get used to the litter box before bringing it indoors.
- Make sure you clean the litter box every day. Outdoor cats have a tendency to produce their own droppings in clean areas. If the litter box isn't clean, they are less likely to use it.
- Place the litter box in a safe and quiet area. If not, the cat may be too scared or wary to use it.
Step 3. Take the cat to your vet
Before you let him into the house, you need to make sure he has no diseases. If the microchip, a device that allows you to identify him, has not yet been installed, you should ask your vet to perform that procedure as well. Feral cats also need to be vaccinated and neutered.
- Before the cat is spayed, the vet should test for the feline leukemia virus. This disease has a high rate of contagion among cats and can be fatal if left untreated. The vet will perform two blood tests to check if your pet is affected.
- The vet should do a complete check-up of the cat, for example by checking for ticks, fleas, lice and other parasites. The animal should also be wormed.
Part 2 of 4: Getting the Cat Used to His New Home
Step 1. Don't rush
Your cat probably won't get used to living indoors right away. To prevent it from damaging furniture and other items, you should take it out periodically until it feels comfortable in the home.
At first, leave the cat indoors for short periods, progressively increasing the duration as the days go by
Step 2. Feed the cat indoors
Even if you keep getting him out from time to time, you should only give him food and water around the house. In this way, he will get used to associating food with the home, developing positive feelings when he is indoors.
Step 3. Use two litter boxes
Place one in the place you prefer and the other near the door the cat uses to get out. That way, when he feels the need to go outside to free himself, he'll see the litter box and use that. Once he has become accustomed to the litter box, gradually bring him closer to the indoor litter box. When you have placed them adjacent, you can remove one.
- Use large, but not very tall litter boxes. To encourage your cat to use them, they need to be free of obstacles. For this, avoid containers with lids or containers that force the animal to jump high to enter.
- The cat must feel safe when using the litter box. Put it in a quiet place in the house where it won't be bothered by people and other animals.
Step 4. Give your cat controlled outings
Don't make him decide for himself when to leave the house. If you have a covered porch, you can have it go there from time to time. You can also buy a leash designed for cats and take your kitty for a walk. Some dogs don't like walking on a leash, but if you train yours, it will become a pleasant experience for both of you.
Part 3 of 4: Making Your Home Inviting
Step 1. Purchase some toys for your home
Your cat will feel less of a need to go out to hunt if she has plenty of opportunities to satisfy her instincts indoors. You should offer him lots of balls, fake mice, and other items for him to play with. However, the most important aspect is that you take the time yourself to play with him and keep him entertained.
- If you roll a ball on the floor, your cat may chase it and hit it.
- Try buying a toy mouse attached to a stick. Drag the mouse across the floor or hang it over your cat's head, which should try to attack it.
- Cats also like feather toys, usually consisting of a stick with a feather tied to a thread. Drag them to the ground or dangle them in the air.
- Try introducing new toys into the house a couple of times a month to keep your cat's interest high.
Step 2. Buy catnip
Many cats like the smell of this herb. Buy bunches of them and place them in strategic places, where your cat likes to spend time or where you would like them to do so. For example, you can put some on the scratching post to encourage him to do his nails using that object instead of furniture.
Step 3. Get a cat tower
These animals love to look at humans from above and jump to elevated vantage points. In pet stores, you can find cat towers with lots of platforms for your kitty to jump and climb on.
Cat towers can be expensive. If you prefer, you can free up some shelves or arrange items on desks and bookcases to leave spaces for your cat to jump into
Step 4. Give your cat a warm place to sleep
A warm and comfortable bed is a great incentive to invite him to stay indoors during the cold and rainy months. If you don't want to buy a cat-specific bed, try putting cozy blankets on the bed or sofa. If he finds a spot he likes, give it that space.
Step 5. Offer your cat a sunny place to rest
These pets love to be out in the sun, and if there is a spot in your home that is illuminated by outside light, your kitty will have less reason to go outside. If you don't have windows with sunlit sills, place a small table next to a window that your cat can climb on. Alternatively, you can leave the blinds open near your bed, so the pet can enjoy some sunshine on the warm bed.
If you open the window, make sure the cat can't get out
Step 6. Grow catnip
In pet stores and even some supermarkets you can find catnip to grow at home. This is a good snack for your kitty, which will make him think he is outside.
Part 4 of 4: Dealing with Problematic Behaviors
Step 1. Assign a room for the cat
If your pet scratches the furniture or refuses to use the litter box, put him in a small room with all his toys, scratching posts, and litter boxes. In a confined space he will have less furniture to spoil and is more likely to learn to use the litter box if he is confined to it.
Step 2. Purchase SoftPaws
These are pieces of plastic that can be glued onto a cat's nails so that it doesn't scratch the furniture. To apply them, one person must hold the animal still, while the tall one cuts its nails and then glues them.
- Gently squeeze your cat's palm to show his nails, then use scissors to cut them. If you have never done this before, only cut the ends of the nails, so as not to risk harming the animal.
- Apply a few drops of the glue supplied with the SoftPaws inside the protectors, then put them on the nails and push them until they completely cover the claws.
- It is possible to permanently remove cat claws, but this is generally considered cruel and should be avoided if possible.
Step 3. Try not to let your cat run away
Even if you still allow him to go out periodically, you should be the one who decides when he can do so. Watch out for the door to make sure it doesn't sneak out. If he does, don't hit him, as it will make him want to escape even more. Use medium strength reinforcement to encourage him to perform better.
- If he tries to escape the door, sprinkle water on him or shake a jar full of coins.
- Throw a treat or toy in the opposite direction when you open the door. This will encourage the cat to run in the opposite direction and help him lose the habit of running away.
