Can you turn an outside cat into an inside only cat with no problems? I am keeping him in the bathroom so he can get used to the litter box. I also have my inside cat with him.
2006-10-07 07:59:33 · 14 answers · asked by Crystal 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
this cat is about 6 months old
2006-10-07 08:10:30 · update #1
the new cat is a male
the cat i put with him is only about 3 months and its a female
they get along really good like brother and sister
2006-10-07 08:12:24 · update #2
first and foremost take him to the vet for his shots and an exam .Did u know there are all kinds of diseases he may have and can give your other cat. try getting him fixed also so he wont spray your house to mark his territory .and to answer your question yes it is possible. however u will have to keep a close eye on windows and doors usually for about 6 months or until he gets comfortable being inside only.Just please be careful that your female doesnt get pregnant shes already mature enough and so is he. good luck and its nice to see someone who loves cats as much as i do. most people wont rescue an animal from the outdoors. IT TAKES SOMEONE SPECIAL TO DO THAT!!
2006-10-07 08:58:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it can be done. With no problems well that is relative to what your expectations are. The fact that it gets along with your other indoor cat is a plus. He will be entertained and not get bored as easily but you need to keep in mind that this cat has experienced the outside world and all its glorious wonders that entices a cat's curiosity. You might get more than a few sleepless night in the process and it might take a few months to get there but it you make sure your new indoor cat is well stimulated indoor and arm yourself with a good pair of ear plugs to not hear him whine at the door and you do not give in to his whining you will eventually have an indoor cat. You best bet is about 1 hour before you plan on going to bed play with your cat extensively and when he stops (because he is tired) keep bugging him for a while to make sure he is really tired time and practice will give you a good idea of the routine you will need to establish so you can sleep through the night and during the day when you are home make sure you play with it often. Boredom is the number one cause of an outdoor cat to be unhappy indoor.
Best of luck! And patience!
2006-10-07 17:07:37 · answer #2 · answered by fierequebecoiseauusa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is hard to do. Once a kitty has the wild outdoors in their blood it seems they always long for it. I would recommend this cage type thing you can attach to a window or door. It is like a 3 dimensional screen that allows them to go outside but stay in a cage type devise.
You say it is a "him" he will probably start marking his new territory like crazy...so beware. Even if you get him fixed, he has the habit of marking his area so you might be in for a smelly awakening. I agree that keeping your established indoor cat with him might cause some cat fighting...if you see any aggression it is best to remove your indoor kitty and make it more gradual an introduction. I never force my cats into contact. It can be done but it could be a long road...
2006-10-07 15:11:48 · answer #3 · answered by Angelfood 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure if you were patient with your cat it would sooner or later learn to like the indoors. I have a cat that's an inside/outside cat, she's got a cat door so she just comes and goes as she pleases. But, when I lock her in because it's raining or something she really gets mad and terrorizes the house, she'll knock over all the pictures, walk on my dresser and knock over all my perfumes, etc. and she'll mess up all the throw rugs and she never does that unless she's locked in - but it could be just that she's board and not being able to run around like she does outside, who knows. Cat's have their own sense of what they want and if they don't get it they'll throw tantrums. (or my cat does anyway) Good luck in training your cat. Their a handful. hee hee
2006-10-07 15:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by You'llneverguess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He will need to be neutered and you should do it right away. That will help with your efforts to keep him inside.
I think you just take the "just say No approach". Remember you are in charge and when he goes to the door to be let out you just say "No, you are an indoor kitty now". That will reinforce your determination to give him this protection for a longer and healthier life and he will get the message eventually. You would do that with a youngster if you did not feel they should go to the mall unaccompanied by an adult or if they wanted to go with friends to a rock concert at night. It's part of being a "parent".
2006-10-07 15:44:23 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see any problem if you take the time, will take awhile, and if you keep with it... One of my cats, which was adopted from a shelter, used to be an outdoor cat, then someone adopted him and declawed him and then threw him back outside for some reason. He will want to go out and try to look outside when the door is open, but we can't let him out and he seems fine with it...good luck
2006-10-07 15:03:01 · answer #6 · answered by Jessica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all dont put them together too soon. It takes time for the house cat to get to know the new one. He might fight and cause the new one to runaway.
Putting the new one in the bathroom is good for discipline potty but dont put the old one together.
What id do is put the new cat in a cage so the old one could get to know that hes not a threat.. especially if the new n old are both male.if opposite, they get to know better. and if younger n older also they'd get to know faster..
And yes, they can stay together but dont let them go out of the house too soon coz u might loose the old one (which maybe feels unwanted due to having another)..
goodluck
2006-10-07 15:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by kim_stolz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can but it will be a little difficult trying to keep him inside all the time. He will eventually want to try to get out. Also you may want to get it neutered so it's doesn't spray all over your house and especially if your other cat is an unfixed female. Also take him for a regular visit to the vet, he may have diseases that could be spreadd to your cat. Good Luck!
2006-10-07 15:08:47 · answer #8 · answered by sparkles 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
before you inter mingle your new cat with your other cat, I would seriously recommend that you take the new cat to your vet and have him vaccinated and tested for leukemia and feline aids, once that is all taken care of then you can start to inter mingle the two cats. i have taken several outside cats in and made them indoor only cats, but have always taken care of the medical aspect first, as i did not want to risk the health of my indoor cats. Good Luck.
2006-10-07 21:37:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very hard to do. If this is an older cat, it probably will run away if it has the chance.
2006-10-07 15:06:13 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋