Indoor cat desperate to be outdoor cat

[JessK]

I've made the decision that my cat (now about five months old) is going to be an indoor cat because I can't bear to expose him to the dangers of cars, coyotes, etc. However he's breaking my heart lately wanting to go out so much. He tries to escape every time I open the door, and he goes from door to window meowing and howling for what seems like forever. He did manage to escape into the back yard twice and I couldn't capture him, so he spent some time out there, and now of course he wants to go out more than ever since he's had a taste of it.

Fortunately, because he's little and it was his first few times out, he didn't venture over the fence, but I know he will be able to if he tries. Therefore, I don't want to make a habit of letting him out in the yard, UNLESS I can keep him on a leash. So I bought him a harness at PetSmart that goes around his neck and torso, but the problem is he hates it so much he spends all his time trying to get out of it. Last night I made him wear it in the house for a little while, hoping he would adjust to it, but he just goes wild with aversion to it. (I checked to see that it wasn't too tight.)

Do any of you let your cats out on a leash and harness? If so, how did you get the cat to accept it? Also, can he get fleas or other pests from playing in the grass and bushes?

Thanks for any advice! Oh, by the way, he does have tons of toys and climbing surfaces inside, so the problem isn't that the house is too boring. He just craves the outdoors.
Thanks!

[melissaranks]

When I rescued Booker from the neighborhood HOOLIGANS (she had been dropped out of a car and they were throwing in front of moving cars ) she had been an outside kitty for who knows how long. She is now indoors only, with outings on a harness and leash. She did NOT like the harness at first. Then, my vet told me to put it on her right next to the door and then to immediately let her out. Now she knows if I grab the harness, she gets to go outside with me. She LOVES that thing! LOL! As for the fleas, I know some people don't agree with me, but I use the prescription flea/tick control that my vet sells. SHe has never brought fleas into the house and (to my knowledge) hasn't had fleas since I first got her.

[Yzma]

I've made the decision that my cat (now about five months old) is going to be an indoor cat because I can't bear to expose him to the dangers of cars, coyotes, etc. However he's breaking my heart lately wanting to go out so much. He tries to escape every time I open the door, and he goes from door to window meowing and howling for what seems like forever. He did manage to escape into the back yard twice and I couldn't capture him, so he spent some time out there, and now of course he wants to go out more than ever since he's had a taste of it.

Glad you've decided to keep him indoors... He's far better off inside... Five months? I think you should talk to your vet about getting him neutered. He's probably just maturing and his hormones are making him go a little 'stir crazy' ... Our cat did the same when he hit 5 months. Don't worry, the problem is easily solved with a neutering... It's a fairly simple operation, and stitches are usually not involved.

Since you are thinking of keeping him indoors netering is a good idea as it makes them calmer and less needy of the outdoors... Also reduces the risk of him sparying to mark his territory. Five months is not too young to get the operation done...

[JessK]

Thanks both for the great answers! I will try putting his harness on at the door right before letting him out--that does make sense. I am going to have him neutered soon. The vet said about 6 months is a good age to do it so that's about when I will. I'm curious how it will change him. I don't want it to dampen his rambunctious spirit, but not having him sitting at the door howling and wailing would also be good! I don't expect him to fully lose the desire to go out, but if he was less insistent that would be a releif.
Thanks again!
PS--the story about people throwing the cat in front of cars made me physically sick. One more reason my little guy is never going out unharnessed!

[Yzma]

I don't want it to dampen his rambunctious spirit, but not having him sitting at the door howling and wailing would also be good! I don't expect him to fully lose the desire to go out, but if he was less insistent that would be a releif.

I thinki you'll be pleased with the results then:)

[JessK]

He had another escape episode last night, the little turkey. AND he slipped through the front door, but luckily the sprinkler was on and that slowed him down so I was able to grab him. Front door escapes are serious, because there's no fence, and the deadly road is so close. He's becoming really agressive and expert and rushing the doors, so I think I'll schedule the neutering asap. I'll see how things develop--I do hope he improves, because it's getting to be quite difficult to come and go from my own house!

[Yzma]

You may have to weather this out for a while... Until your vet feels comfortable doing the op. Some vets do it earlier than others, others do it later.

In the mean time, you could try to make his in door life more bearable with some play options, catnip balls, mice, fluffu ballz, ping pong balls in the bath tub are a good distraction if you can handle the noise...

A cat tree? maybe?

You could try walking him...

[JessK]

Oooh, balls in the bathtub, that's a great idea! I'll do it tonight. He loves climbing into the bath for some reason--it just holds endless mysteries for him apparently, and he loves playing soccer (I almost named him Beckham!), so that's a great idea. I don't think I can make the rest of the house TOO much more play-friendly. I already call the house Neo's Palace because his toys are everywhere and he pretty much has the run of the house, the little brat.

He doesn't respond to catnip. I've put it on a plate (platter, hee hee) for him and he just sniffs it and walks away. I wonder if it's something he'll develop a taste for as he matures.

[Yzma]

our cats were pretty much immune to atnip till they were older, except for one junikie cat we have...

[catniper]

Hi Jess,
Please read the current dilemma I have with my "indoor cat turned outdoor cat:"
http://www.cathelp-online.com/phpBB2/vi ... 32f41f7fcd

Please try and keep your lil guy inside. Personally, I think most cats want to explore their outside world, afterall, that is where they initially came from But, the risks are not worth it. My cat is still ill, and everyday it's a gamble. I still feel this was all brought on by allowing her out in the elements in a world foreign to her.
I too felt bad because like your cat, she was always craving to go out. Now look where we are at. My cat might not even make it, and I feel terribly guilty for giving in and letting her have her way.
There are so many mangy cats out there with diseases, etc. and it would so awful for your healthy guy to catch something that would put a dent in your wallet and could get him very ill.
My new vet told me a recent statistic that was written in some cat magazine saying that infoor cats can live to be 25 years old vs. outdoor cats that have an average lifespan of 10 years.
I was shocked to hear this and very sad.
If I could only go back, I would never have let my sweet princess outsdide.
Please think real long and hard on this one.
All the best,
catniper