I have two cats both age 6 that were allowed out 24/7 by their previous owner. I have kept them in at night, every night, but would like to keep them in all of the time now, as they have been going on the main road.
I tried to keep them in for 4 days, and they were depressed and cried a lot, so I let them out again and they were so happy.
But I am not.. I worry sick about them, I don't know whats the best thing to do for their happiness and safety.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Kind Regards
Cara
help! cats indoors or out??
Re: help! cats indoors or out??
It's called tough love, when they cry to be let out, they are simply accustomed to the door being open. If you don't let them out, they will adjust.
The key to acclimating cats indoors is to provide them an interesting indoor environment. With interactive, stimulating toys, kitty trees or a safe kitty perch by a safe window to look out of (no broken screens, they should be secure and windows not left open when you're gone), and lots of interaction/playtime/bonding from you.
Put up a bird feeder etc outside a window for the cats to enjoy watching. On nice days, open windows a bit so they can have fresh air. On hot days, be sure to have an air conditioner or at the very least, fans circulating so they do not get too hot.
It isn't hard to acclimate cats indoors-only, it just takes a little patience and some time for them to adjust. It will take longer than 4 days to accomplish this, it can take months, but you must be committed. The long term reward outweighs the outdoor hazards, that being safer, living longer, and being healthier.
The key to acclimating cats indoors is to provide them an interesting indoor environment. With interactive, stimulating toys, kitty trees or a safe kitty perch by a safe window to look out of (no broken screens, they should be secure and windows not left open when you're gone), and lots of interaction/playtime/bonding from you.
Put up a bird feeder etc outside a window for the cats to enjoy watching. On nice days, open windows a bit so they can have fresh air. On hot days, be sure to have an air conditioner or at the very least, fans circulating so they do not get too hot.
It isn't hard to acclimate cats indoors-only, it just takes a little patience and some time for them to adjust. It will take longer than 4 days to accomplish this, it can take months, but you must be committed. The long term reward outweighs the outdoor hazards, that being safer, living longer, and being healthier.
..........Traci
Re: help! cats indoors or out??
It takes time, but they DO adjust...ALL of my cats were once outside only ferals....true, some were brought in as kittens, but some were older cats...all have acclimated and all are indoor only now...
we do not have A/C....windows are open and I have plenty of perches for them to lay and watch out windows...
of course, living ina rural area helps, so there is lots of trees, birds and other feral cats to watch adn talk to....
but they have all adjusted and are very happy...
Thank you for adopting them and taking the time to work with them to adjust them to indoor only!!
we do not have A/C....windows are open and I have plenty of perches for them to lay and watch out windows...
of course, living ina rural area helps, so there is lots of trees, birds and other feral cats to watch adn talk to....
but they have all adjusted and are very happy...
Thank you for adopting them and taking the time to work with them to adjust them to indoor only!!
Re: help! cats indoors or out??
Thank you for your advice, your right we are going to persevere with keeping them in for good this time, for their own safety it's worth it.
Cara
Cara