Don't Let the Cat Out!

For cats, the great outdoors is anything but great. Whether they live in the city, in the suburbs or in the country, outdoor cats face a multitude of risks. They are exposed to contagious diseases, most of which are fatal. Traffic takes a huge toll on free-roaming cats and while many people believe their companions are street-wise, no cat looks both ways when being chased by another animal. Further dangers include poisons, leghold traps, animal theft and inhumane treatment by cruel people.

Outdoor cats may also engage in behaviors that are not appreciated by neighbors.  The only sure way to safeguard wildlife is to keep cats inside.

Tips for making the transition

Many cat behaviorists suggest a gradual approach to bringing an outside cat into the house. If your cat is outdoors most of the day, bring her in for increasingly longer visits. You might time this transitional period as the weather gets colder. Most cats prefer warm, dry places and by the end of the winter, yours could be converted to life indoors.

If you want your cat to have safe, limited access to the outdoors, consider building an outside enclosure or run. This can be accessible from a window or animal door and is most entertaining to cats when furnished with tree limbs, perching platforms, boxes and toys.

Cats can be leash-trained so that they may enjoy the outdoors on supervised walks. All you need is a leash and sturdy figure-eight or figure-H style harness from which the cat cannot escape. Never hook the leash to the cat's collar, but make sure the cat is always wearing a safety collar with license/identification tags. Your cat may resist wearing a harness at first, so let her become accustomed to it gradually. Put it on for brief periods indoors, and later, attach the leash and walk her around the house. When she becomes comfortable with that, venture outdoors for short trips. Do not tie a cat out on a leash or leave her unsupervised, even for a few minutes.

If your cat remains determined to get outside, you may have to "just say no" to going outdoors. Suzanne Hetts, Behavior Consultant, emphasizes, "For particularly persistent cats, it's better to go cold-turkey than to occasionally let the cat outside. Letting the cat out when she wants reinforces the pestering behavior."

Remind family members, housemates and visitors not to let the cat outside. Post signs near all doors and if you live with children, teach them to close the door behind them. Be especially cautious with screen doors that may not latch tightly.

Enriching indoor environments

As your cat makes the transition to the great indoors, you can transform your living quarters into a veritable cat paradise. The more you give your cat to do, the happier she will be inside.

• Double the space, double the cat's pleasure. If your floor space is limited, you can expand upward with kitty condos or climbing trees. The taller models, especially those with multiple perches, make the most of vertical space and appeal to cats' natural interest in heights.
• Cats love to sun themselves and enjoy looking outdoors. Install perches or shelves to provide your cat with more windows of opportunity. Bird feeders placed near windows attract a variety of wildlife and engage the interest of indoor cats. Beware, however, of outdoor cats in your neighborhood who might endanger wildlife. If there are marauding felines in your yard, do not feed birds on or near the ground. Use only hanging feeders placed to give wildlife a clear view of their surroundings.
• When the weather allows, leave windows open so your cat can get fresh air. Make sure that each window is securely screened so that the cat cannot fall or jump. Many cats enjoy chewing on grass and other plants. Garden centers and pet stores sell wheat or oat grass seed to be planted in small pots for indoor cats. Make sure the seed has not been treated with chemicals, and remove all potentially toxic plants from your cat's environment.

Redirecting claw action

Scratching is a natural and important behavior for cats that helps them stay limber and healthy. But when cats turn their claws on furniture and carpets, this behavior is annoying and destructive. See "Helping Your Cats Claw Their Way to Success" and "The Problems with Declawing" for further information.

Cats in toyland

Outdoor cats have plenty of opportunities for exercise, but it can be a challenge to keep an indoor cat active and fit. The best way to get your cat moving is through interactive play. By encouraging her to pounce, leap and run laps around the house, you can help your feline couch potato become an indoor athlete.

Often the best toys are the simplest. Cats love to chase catnip toys, ribbons or strips of fabric, and feathers dangled in front of them on wands or short poles.

Don't discount the most available toys around the house. Most cats love to explore paper bags, boxes and baskets. They often find their own sources of amusement, so don't be surprised if your cat ignores an expensive toy in favor of plastic milk jug rings, crumpled paper or an old sock. The key is variety. Rotate favorites in and out of your cat's toybox, and try hiding toys around the house for your cat to find over time.

A last word about making the switch

Despite their guardians' best efforts, some cats will still have a tough time adjusting to life indoors. If your cat shows signs of extreme stress, you and your veterinarian might consider short-term drug therapy to relax the cat during the transition. Another option is to explore homeopathic remedies which can be effective calming agents in many animals. Consult a holistic veterinarian for specific treatments, or find a pet supply store that sells "Stop Stress," a safe and easily administered remedy that helps to take off the edge.

If you would like to work with a Wisconsin Humane Society behaviorist one-on-one regarding this behavior topic, please call 414-431-6173 to schedule a consultation.