Cat owners always go out of their way to keep their little friends healthy and happy. But even by creating the perfect home environment, the feline instinct draws them back to nature. These creatures may want to run away from home for a variety of different reasons, but if you want to keep your furry friend safe, you need to find ways to prevent them from leaving without a person present. By keeping your kitty happy and offering him some incentives to stay indoors, you can prevent him from wanting to run outside.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Discourage Escape
Step 1. Switch between entry and exit routes
If the cat is constantly standing in front of the front door waiting to escape as soon as an unaware person opens it, choose an alternative door. For example, instead of using the main entrance in front of the house, go out the back or the garage. Another valid option is to leave and enter a house with an anteroom; once you have passed the first door, close it tightly and check behind you to make sure that the cat has not been able to follow you. If he managed to get past it, you should notice and bring him back before exiting the second door that leads out into the open.
If you have guests out of the house that you want to let in, leave the cat in another room until they leave; in this way, when they enter the front door, the cat is not around and cannot escape
Step 2. Pay no attention to the cat when it is in front of the door
If he associates the seat by the door with a place where he gets pampered and you play with him, he will always stay around. If he is used to the fact that every time you approach him you greet him friendly and pay attention to him, you need to stop this method.
- Also avoid looking at it until you have taken off your shoes, jacket and walked away from the entrance; instead give him warm greetings and pat him on the head only when you reach the living room, bedroom or corridor; in this way, he learns that he can welcome you into an environment where he knows you will pay attention to him.
- Behave the same way when you have to leave the house; instead of greeting him at the front door, find another specific point for greetings.
Step 3. Try a barrier or pet-safe repellent spray
The barrier is a small device that emits a loud noise similar to a "beep" when the cat approaches the exit. This sound is induced by a wireless device that is connected to the cat's collar; when he is at close range from the door, the "beep" goes off, which scares him and should convince him to leave. If the animal persists in its behavior, it receives a small, harmless electrostatic shock from the collar which should entice it to stay indoors. Over time, learn to avoid getting close to the door altogether.
The spray deterrent performs a similar, if not identical, task. Place it near the door you want the cat to stay away from and activate it. Whenever the cat approaches, the device releases an irritating but non-hazardous spray substance. Remember to turn it off when you don't plan to open the door through which the cat would escape
Step 4. Block the passage
If the animal enters and leaves the house freely because the door is equipped with a cat flap, use a lock or bolt to prevent escaping outside. If your cat flap does not have these locking systems, you can easily install one and open the door at certain times of the day, when you allow your cat to go outside.
Step 5. Teach your feline friend to sit
Choose a comfortable place for him to stay. A great solution is a specific kennel bed or a carpeted perch. Before leaving, take the cat to the place you have designated for him to sit; use a treat or a toy, such as a bell, to get her attention. Once he is in the spot of your choice, say "Sit" in a firm but non-aggressive tone and repeat the command a few seconds later. Repeat about ten times and reward him with a treat after three or four times.
It does not necessarily have to assume the same position as a dog that responds to this command; as long as when you order it it stays still in the place you have defined while you leave the house, you have achieved your purpose
Step 6. Annoy him
Keep a spray bottle filled with water near the entrance. When you are about to enter, just open a door opening to see if the cat is waiting to escape out. Then put the nozzle of the bottle through the small opening and hit the cat with a well-aimed spray; it may take a few direct sprays before the animal retreats. After a week or so, he is likely to come to associate the door with the spray of water, and by then he should have convinced himself to stay away from it.
- Unfortunately, this method only works when you are entering the house, but not when you need to leave. If you do this when you have to leave the house, the cat may associate you - and not the door - with the irritation he feels from the spray of water and a bad relationship could develop between you.
- Alternatively, when entering the house, make a loud noise, such as yelling, stomping, or knocking for the cat to escape before opening the door.
Step 7. Sterilize or neuter him
If you haven't done so yet, it is likely that it will want to roam and go out much more than a neutered specimen does, as it is looking for potential mates to mate with; otherwise, if he is already neutered, he does not want to procreate and is therefore more inclined to stay at home.
Usually, you can safely undergo the procedure when he is eight weeks old, but you should always ask your vet if and when it is possible to spay your specific specimen
Method 2 of 2: Make the Puppy Happy So They Don't Wanna Run
Step 1. Distract him from the door
When you have to go out for a long time, give him a treat; if he's busy nibbling his tidbit instead of dashing out the door, you've solved the problem. You should give him a toy that you can hide food in to distract his attention from the fact that you are leaving. It is a small hollow device, usually a rubber ball or a cylindrical object, with a hole in which to insert treats or other delicacies. This toy is able to keep the animal busy for hours and at the same time provides him with something to eat. Such a technique could also prevent him from escaping.
Step 2. Entertain him
There are many ways to keep a cat busy, although not all of them will get your specific cat's attention; do some tests to understand which activity involves him the most.
- For example, bring some plants indoors. They can release an interesting scent for the cat; however, avoid chrysanthemums, lilies, amaryllis, irises and tulips, which are toxic to domestic cats.
- Hide treats all over the house. You can put hollow toys with food in them in easily accessible but unusual places.
- Offer the pet a variety of toys, such as balls, scratching posts, and neatly crumpled paper balls.
- The cat might like television. If you have a subscription to some pay TV that offers channels dedicated to documentaries, it can be an excellent solution; if not, play specific DVDs to entertain these felines, which usually show footage of other animals.
Step 3. Let the cat explore the outside
Create an enclosure or take your pet for a walk regularly. The cat may run outside out of curiosity, wanting fresh air, sunlight, or sensing new, excited scents; Fortunately, you can reduce his desperate escape attempts by allowing him to experience some of these sensations.
- If you have an enclosed porch, let the cat frequent it; make sure there are several raised surfaces on which he can "perch" and look out.
- If you don't have such a space, you can easily get a plastic or metal fence to make an enclosure where you can let your cat spend a lot of time outside without running away from the door. Connect this personal space to your back door or window; if the fence walls are at least 2 meters high, you do not need to install a ceiling.
- Taking him for a walk often is an alternative to let him explore the surroundings. Attach the leash to his collar or harness and let him drag him for a while to get used to the feeling. Give him a treat or canned food while you adjust his harness to distract him from the process. Then take him out and enjoy some time with the cat to build a good bond. This method gives the animal the opportunity to learn about the outside world and stimulate its brain in new and healthy ways.
