Training indoor/outdoor cat to be just an indoor cat?

7 Comments

I've had my pet cat for a little over 5 years (got him October 2009). He was originally wild but my family got him to warm up to us and he decided to stay at my house. I don't know how old he is but he has a tiny bit of white on his face, but obviously he was outside a lot before we got him. Because of this he's been an outdoor/indoor cat-he'll go outside for awhile during the day and usually stay in at night.

The problem is I've never really liked him going outside (cars, majority of neighbors have big dogs that sometimes get loose, other wild cats have picked fights with him) and every time I start training him to stay indoors, one of my parents would let him outside behind my back and it would ruin my efforts.

They tell me because he's used to being let outside, that it'll mess him up if we suddenly start keeping him indoors 24/7. Is this true?

Yes, it would mess up your cat 5
No, he would get used to it 8
Any other advice?? (comment) 0
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Comments ( 7 )
  • zsdworknman
    9 years ago

    Keep your cat inside I hate dealing with idiots cats shitting in my daughter's sandbox so I trap them and leave them at the shelter keep your responsibility in your house.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    It depends if you are in a cat friendly area. I have 3 cats and they all come and go as they want, but I live in an area with little traffic. I have had a couple cats disappear in the past and I have no idea what happened to them. I put up rewards and looked everywhere but never found them. They do like outdoors and it is nice for me too because I dont have a litter box inside, which is necessary for me because I am hypersensitive to bad smells. I wouldn't recommend letting them out if you live near traffic though.

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  • babara7246
    9 years ago

    You need to make him a screened in area on the patio or porch so that he can be outside but safe. Always have his litter box clean or he will not use it. Add some playthings for him, build places for him to sit in the windows and look out. My cat loves the little light you shine on the floor so he can chase it. This keeps the boredom down for him. Good luck and thank you for taking so good care of your baby.

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  • wistfulmaiden
    9 years ago

    Its very difficult for out door cats to become only indoor cats. The best thing is if you have a fenced in yard or a screened in patio that way he can still be outside but out of danger.
    Mine is indoor only but he hasn't been outdoors since he was born to his Mommy farm cat. Being an outdoor kitty isnt only dangerous from dogs and cars but they can get nasty parasites...mine was only outdoors as a bay but Im still treating him for a yeast he picked up from pigeon poop!Good luck.

    btw why do your parents put him out, cause they hate cleaning the litterbox? Tell them youd really appreciate if they could help your efforts.

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  • thegypsysailor
    9 years ago

    Every vet I've been to over the last 30 years or so has categorically stated that cats should be kept indoors. That was even the recommendation of the shelter I adopted my last cat from.
    I suppose if one lives on a farm or ranch and needs a 'mouser' or two, that's a bit different, but then that's not a pet any more, is it?

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  • RoseIsabella
    9 years ago

    Your parents are idiots.

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  • TrustMeImLying
    9 years ago

    Maybe phase out his outgoingness?

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