From the Wild to the Warm:
Tips on Transitioning a Cat to Inside Living
Compiled by
The Cat Coach,
Marilyn Krieger
You may live with a cat that likes to take cat
naps in the back yard and occasionally hunt a bird or chase
shadows. Or, your cat might be a street cat that loves to
wander the neighborhood, chasing other cats, exploring
trees, yowling at the moon and coming home only when it fits
into his agenda. Cats that live the indoor/outdoor lifestyle
have shorter and more stress-filled lives then cats that
never go outside. The average life span of a cat allowed
outdoors is only three-five years, compared to 12-14 years
for a cat living in doors that never ventures outside. Cats
that are allowed outside face risks of being stolen,
contracting parasites, engaging in fights with other
animals, dying prematurely from diseases, poisons, cars or
from encounters with dogs, cats and wild animals. There are
other new hazards in recent years that have been added to
this lengthy list. These threats include natural and
man-made disasters such as earthquakes, fires, hurricanes
and terrorist threats. Additionally, the emergence of new
diseases, such as bird flu and resistant forms of
panleukopenia, are threatening our pets. It’s time for a
feline life style change! We need to bring our cats indoors
permanently where they can live safe and long lives.
How does one convince an outdoor-loving cat that
he will live a longer healthier life indoors where it’s warm
and safe? Most cats I know aren’t in the habit of listening
to monologues from humans concerning their welfare. Every
cat is unique with his own personality and needs. Some cats
welcome the opportunity of living permanently indoors;
others will take a little more work, patience and time in
order to make the transition from outside to inside.
The first step to transition a cat to living
indoors is to spay or neuter the cat. Spaying and neutering
helps to keep the cat population down, and reduces the risks
of certain diseases such as pyometra and testicular cancer.
It also helps eliminate frustration, stress and accompanying
behavior challenges such as spraying, howling and fighting.
The best time to transition an outside-loving cat
to the comforts of home is during the winter, preferably
when it’s cold and wet outside. Other times during the year
will also work, but the transition will probably be quicker
if the great outdoors isn’t very appealing to the cat. Most
domestic cats will choose a warm spot on a couch over trying
to keep dry under a bush. Making the home cat-centric before
bringing the cat in will also make the transition faster and
easier.
Begin the transition to inside living by feeding
the cat exclusively indoors. There shouldn’t be any food
available for the cat outside. It is important to put the
cat on a regular feeding schedule, feeding him at the same
time every day 2-3 times a day. In order for the cat to
associate you as the food provider, don’t leave food around
for the cat to eat whenever he’s hungry. Always feed in the
same location in the house. His feeding station should also
include a fresh bowl of water. The spot you choose must be
safe from dogs, other cats and children. If your cat enjoys
being interacted with, make sure to give him lots of
attention before and after he eats. In order to avoid the
eat-and-run mentality, gradually extend the time that your
kitty stays in after eating.
Between meal times use bribery and black mail.
Coerce your furry friend to come in between meals by using
play and deal breaking treats. First entice him to play
inside with a fishing pole type of toy. When engaging him in
play, imitate a wounded animal. Pull the toy at the end of
the fishing pole around furniture, into boxes and bags. Slow
down the action and then speed it up. When you or the cat
has decided that it’s time to stop playing, don’t abruptly
stop the play. Since the cat will be charged with adrenalin
he will need to cool down by your gradually slowing down the
play. Finally when you are done playing, let him catch the
toy and then feed him a handful of very tasty treats.
Usually cats will wash themselves after eating and then curl
up for a nap. Extend his stay inside the house by 10 minutes
each time you play with him.
Part of the life style change from street cat to
house cat involves convincing the cat that relocating inside
is much more interesting and fun then being outdoors.
Additionally, it is important to remember that cats are
creatures of habit and routine. A new and more interesting
routine will have to gradually replace the one the cat has
grown accustomed to. Be creative, bring the outdoors in.
There is a plethora of fascinating activities for a cat to
do outside, including a diversity of stuff to climb on, lots
of space to explore, places to hide and critters to chase.
Most of these cat-intriguing activities can be provided
inside the safety of your home. Start by increasing the
vertical space. Since cats love to climb, provide your cat
with tall cat trees/gyms or install accessible carpeted cat
shelves around the perimeter of select rooms in your home.
Cats love to scratch their claws on sisal, so wrap part of
the cat trees tightly with sisal rope. When buying or
constructing a tall tree, make sure that it has a very
sturdy base so that over-exuberant cats can’t accidentally
knock it over. Commercial cat furniture is available with
carpeted enclosures that cats love to go in. Hang objects
that your cat would be fascinated with from the shelves on
the cat trees.
Treats and toys are an important part of the
process for bringing your cat in. Find a treat that your cat
really loves. Make him work for his treats by converting a
whiffle ball into a treat ball by putting treats in it. Then
hang it from the cat tree in a cat-accessible location. Ping
pong balls work well too. After punching multiple holes in a
ping pong ball, fill it with treats and then give it to your
cat. He will spend hours trying to remove the treats from
the ball. Cats love a variety of different kinds of toys.
Some of my cat’s favorite toys include fishing pole toys,
cat dancer, soft little balls, bottle caps and pieces of
paper wadded up into balls.
Hours of entertainment can be provided by
installing a comfortable carpeted window perch and then
hanging a bird feeder outside the window where the perch is
located. The windows and window screens need to be secure
and closed. Some cats are very strong and can easily punch
out window screens. Additionally there are cats that can
squeeze through windows that are barely opened. The TV can
also offer hours of distraction for cats. Turn the TV on to
the Animal Planet or play cat videos or DVDs that contain
nothing but animals and fish bopping around.
Catnip can also be a source of entertainment for
most cats. The effects of catnip only last for about 20-30
minutes, but it is a great way to distract a cat and get
them out of the doldrums. If you have more then a one cat
and at least one of them is a male, I recommend you first
give them catnip separated from each other. For some males,
catnip mimics a female in heat, inspiring them to respond to
other cats with aggression.
If your cat has never used a cat box, or has
gotten in the habit of using the great outdoors as his
personal litter box, you will need to teach him proper
litter-box etiquette. Start by having at least two cat
boxes. Make sure that the feeding/water station is not near
the litter boxes. The litter boxes need to be uncovered. In
order to encourage him to use the boxes, use an unscented
clay litter with garden soil mixed in and on the surface.
After he starts to use the box on a regular basis, slowly
increase the litter and decrease the garden soil. One brand
of litter to consider for litter-box training is a brand
named Cat Attract. Help your cat develop good bathroom
habits by monitoring him. A short time after he eats, when
it looks like he may have to go to the bathroom, pick him up
and place him in the box. If he doesn’t quite understand the
litter box concept, don’t punish or yell at him. Be patient
with him. After picking up the evidence of his mishap, place
it in the box and then gently show him the box again. If you
yell or punish him, he may start to associate using the
litter box with being punished and then purposely avoid
using it. Insure your cat will keep using the litter box by
having enough litter boxes, scooping every day and cleaning
the box thoroughly, replacing with new litter every
two-three weeks.
You may be sharing your life with a cat that
doesn’t immediately take to living inside 24/7. Slow down
the transition process, and consider buying a product called
Comfort Zone. Comfort Zone can help relieve stress and
anxiety in cats. It is plugged into a wall outlet and
diffuses a synthetic calming pheromone into the air. The
pheromone mimics the “friendly” pheromones that cats rub on
people and other cats when saying hello by head butting. I
have found that it has worked in about 80% of my cases. One
Comfort Zone diffuser covers about 500 square feet and lasts
approximately one month.
Not letting your cat outside will reduce vet
bills, and lengthen the life span of your cat. Some cats are
harder to convert to living in doors; other cats will be
thrilled with the opportunity to move operations inside. If
your cat is protesting about becoming an inside cat, slow
the process down. It takes time to change a long-established
behavior, and since cats don’t do well with change it’s
important to take your time. It is well worth the effort to
bring your cat permanently into your home and to not allow
him outside.
Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, MA
Certified Cat Behavior Consultant
Web site:
http://www.thecatcoach.com/
