cat problem, help.?

Question

Hey everyone,

I have a cat, about 2 years old, and he's a home cat, he never goes outside, we don't let him, so the problem is that since he is constantly begging to go outside, we bought a collar for him, the ones that have a tie around his body and his neck, and it's a perfect size, but when we actually put it on, he dosen't even move, he just sits there or eat grass

what can i do?

Answer 1

I think you are saying that you bought a harness for him.

Cats get weirded out by harnesses at first.

Put the harness on him inside. The first time for just a few minutes, then increase the time. He will relax and get used to having the harness on.

Then attach the leash and follow him wherever he wants to go.

After he gets used to being on the leash, gradually start directing him where you want him to go.

When he gets used to be guided, you can go outside and he should do fine.

As with everything you teach cats, it takes a little patience.

Answer 2

I have a 2 year old cat, as well. I adopted her from the animal shelter. She must have been an outdoor or stray cat before, because she is always begging to leave the apartment. I recently bought her a leash, and started taking her out occasionally, in the hallway, and on the balcony.
She stands still because she feels the tension around her body from the restraint. She is unfamiliar with walking on a leash, so I am gradually showing her that it is safe. So that she does not feel a pull, I just keep the leash loose. I stay close to her and let her lead. I will only do this until she feels comfortable enough to walk around. Day by day, she walks a little further down the hall, but she doesn't quite feel safe. She is still afraid of being pulled by the leash, and that hurts her. She is tentative, and I think that is what your cat is indicating to you by sitting still. He is probably eating grass out of nervousness as well. My recommendation is to show the cat that he is free to roam, and follow him so that the leash is not pulling him. When he begins to feel at ease, gradually begin to lead him, instead of letting him lead, and he should be fine.

Answer 3

Give him time. I have three cats, all are leash trained. Linus was the last of the three to be trained. He would just sit in the grass and just yowl like someone was killing him, so this is what I did with him.
Let him out in 5 minute intervals. After a week, move it to 10, and so on and so forth. Linus now remains out for at least an hour if not more.
If he still sits and cowards, here is a solution that I had to do with Lucy. Put her out (do what I did with Linus), but sit out there with her. With Lucy is was a matter of loneliness, and now 7 years later is out for hours on end and hates to come in at night.
Cole......He was just like...."whatever" and was fine from the start.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Get yourself a place with a backyard and stop trying to take the natural instincts from your cat. I is a highly natural act for a cat to need to go outside. Try what someone else has advised with the harness, small amounts of time with it on, in the flat first, before going outside. You do know that it is very cruel that you keep you cat inside all the time.

Answer 5

problem might be that he is 2 and using a harness at this age may be impossible it would have needed to be done when he was a kitten. two of my cats were indoor cats they are declawed and begged to go outside i finally gave in and let them go but i also live in an area with lots of land a little traffic, try a cat tunnel.
www.thepamperedpetmart.com
this is a mesh tunnel that gives them the mobility of being outside without the danger.

Answer 6

It's because he's not used to the collar. Keep putting it on him even when he is in the house, I'd give it about a week. If he doesn't adjust to it, then he never will. We had the same problem with one of our cats, we have 2, one took to it the other didn't.

Good luck

Answer 7

I had a cat that wanted to go outside all the time, i let him, he would come back in the morning. well one morn he didnt come back and i knew something was wrong. i found him outback dead in the dog kennel. my husbands boxer killed him. I loved that cat so much, he was the coolest cat i have ever had and i lost him at 11 months old because I LET HIM OUTSIDE. My moms cat is the same way, she let him out and he came up missing for 2 days, when he came home she had to take him to vet and have his front leg amputated because he got caught in a trap of some sort and his front leg was trashed. so if you decide to let your cat outside, dont let him off of the leash.

Answer 8

i wouldnt worry about a collar for your cats

we had to keep our cats as indoor cats for 3 years because of living without a garden - but when we moved to a place with a garden they loved it after they got over the intial trepidation of going outside.

it sounds like your cat is taking stock of being outside - give him time to adjust and he will love it like he has always enjoyed it

he wont wonder off if he is happy living with you - our cats always know when it is food time and they know they are loved by us too so they have never felt the need to go elsewhere. and they show a degree of respect when around cars so they avoid them hence all of them have lived with us a long life (over 10 years)

Answer 9

cats love being outdoors...being on a leash isn't all that fun for them. a screen in play area with lots of climbing area and toys is a good way to let your cat feel the breeze outside and growl at birds in the trees without worrying about him roaming the neighborhood.

http://www.catsplay.com/kittywalk.php3

Answer 10

All of the previous answers are very good so far. I have even had cats attempt to use a toilet. Time, love and tenderness...