How do u make an outdoor cat an indoor cat? Adopted cat abt 4 mo ago was a stray!?

Question

I have been feeding (GC) Gray Cat 4 abt 4 m's but now that it is cold she has been coming in @ night which my 6 mo old pup doesn't like that much! How do I get GC used 2 being in the house all the time after I move & How do I get my pup 2 accept her? They play fine 2gether till GC comes in then 4 abt 1/2 45 min my pup goes crazy& GC goes under the table in front of my tv & stays there all night! She goes back out abt 5-7 am! How do I get her indoor all the time & ready 4 the move w/o scaring her (she might b pregnant) & w/ my pup accepting the situation? I don't want either getting hurt or jealous! I am going 2 b getting a cat carrier 4 GC w/ in the next 2 weeks so she can be more comfortable & not have 2 worry abt my pup trying 2 get 2 her!! GC will (& does) tell my pup when she has gone 2 far & my pup backs away!! I took both pup & GC off the streets they were both strays that I adopted!! GC is abt a yr old & pup is 6 m!! Any ideas welcome!!!!

GC (abt a yr or so) comes in 2 the house on her own & she goes right 4 the stool under my tv where she sleeps, eats, drinks, & cleans herself. The only thing she doesn't do is use the bathroom on the newspapers I put down! When my pup (6m) goes outside 2 use the bathroom GC comes out & looks around but when she hears the backdoor open she is back in her "safety zone" since my pup always wants 2 play! 2 nights ago GC got fed up & actually scrathed my pup in her eye (but it healed almost immaditly) which I have been keeping an I on!! They do play 2gether outside & r starting 2 play inside but pup doent know when 2 quit!! Also pup tries 2 eat GC's food? normal? I am moving how do I prepare them both 4 it? I will have a cat carrier by then!! What should I do! GC was a stray (I think my neighbors cats had kittens & she was in 1 of the 20 liters(my neighbor doesn't believe in spaying outside cats so we ALWAYS have kitten of all ages running aorund) when started feeding her & adopted her!!

GC comes out sometimes but allowes me 2 pet & play w/ her in her safety zone or out in the open. The only thing she doesn't like so far is the vaccium cleaner. She also falls asleep in my arms & my mom's! Last night I caught them sleeping 2gether! My pup was curled around GC! It was so funny & cute!! Also after I take my pup 2 bed w/ me & close my door GC does come out & look around she does this 4 abt 2-6 hrs till hubby gets up & takes pup outside which is also when GC goes back outside then dinner when she comes in! In her safety zone I have give her water & food & when I go 2 bed I also pit paper down as a litter box & move her food 2 that area as well!! I don't know what else 2 do 4 her or them both!! I want them used 2 each other so I can keep them both inside!! I want them 2 get along so I don't have 2 get rid of GC ( hubby said if 1 has 2 go it will b GC since pup was hear 1st & he likes pup alot better then GC!!)

Answer 1

First I would suggest buying some Feliway, it is a great product that will reduce the stress.
When introducing any cat into a new home, there is one thing all cats need--time to adjust to their new space. You can make the adjustment period shorter by letting your cat get to know his or her new home slowly. Many adopters hesitate to confine their cats, thinking it is "mean" but the nicest thing you could do for your cat is give him a "safe space" at first.

Cats are territorial by nature, and their first priority in any situation is establishing and knowing their territory. Only once they are comfortable in their space can they feel comfortable eating, drinking, resting and eliminating.

The safe space should be a small, quiet room (bathrooms, small offices or large walk-in closets are all good candidates) without any hiding spaces such as under the tub or bed, behind a bookshelf, etc. You don't want to have to pull your cat out of hiding to interact with him--that would be getting your visit off to a very bad start. However, you can provide your cat with an acceptable hiding space by tipping a box on its side and putting a towel inside. Many cats also like cat cozies or tee-pee style beds.

The room should be set up with a litterbox on one end of the room, and the food, water and bedding as far away from the litterbox as possible. The cat should be given some safe toys to play with, and should be given visits while confined to this space. Start off slow when visiting your kitty--don't do to much petting or interacting until the cat has had some time to "settle in". Sit in the room and see if the cat will approach you; if not, offer her your hand to sniff and try some gentle face pets. Give your cat frequent breaks and work up to more handling. Be patient and remember, the more love, the quicker they will adjust.

Confinement is especially crucial for shy or fearful cats. Many cats are overwhelmed when they first move into a new place; this is normal behavior. However, for a cat that is fearful by nature, it is even more terrifying to be in an unfamiliar space. Given the free run of the house, a scared cat will often bolt around, looking for a safe place to hide. Many cats injure themselves running into furniture or walls in a panic. They may also hide somewhere unsafe (such as under the stove, inside a reclining chair), and stay in hiding for several days. They may forego eating, or even urinate or defecate in their hiding space. The "safe room" gives them a small space where they feel secure, and will also make them more sociable with you--the less they are worried about their territory, the more interested in YOU they will be! By providing your scared kitty with a cozy or box to hide in, you are making her feel safe in a way that also allows you to pet her while she is hiding (as opposed to trying to crawl under your bed to interact with her!).

You may be wondering when you can be sure that it's okay to let your kitty out of her safe space. For some cats, the confinement period will be only a few hours--for others it could be several weeks. The important thing is that you do not rush your cat into being exposed to more space than she can handle. You will want to see all of the following:

1. The cat is performing his or her natural functions: eating, resting, grooming, using the litterbox.
2. The cat is responsible, allowing you to pet and play with her.
3. The cat is comfortable with you doing normal activities in the room and is not afraid of you when you stand up or walk around.
4. The cat is showing some interest in getting out of the room.

Don't mistake just one signal for readiness. Even a very scared cat may meow or scratch at the door for attention. This does not mean the cat is ready to explore more space--for example, if you notice that the cat meows at the door, but when you open the door, he runs and cowers back in his bed or box, he's not ready.
When possible, expand a cat's territory slowly (especially for fearful cats). You could close all the doors to bedrooms and allow the cat to first explore the hallway and rooms that do not close off (such as the kitchen and living room). If at anytime your cat seems overwhelmed, return him to his safe room for a few hours and try introducing him to the rest of the house later.

Don't feel bad for confining your kitty at first. It will help him relax and adjust to his new surroundings much quicker. The sooner he adjusts, the sooner he will have full run of the house, and the sooner he will feel comfortable in his new home!

Answer 2

I have two cats one that used to be an outside cat, depending on how old the cat is can be a big factor on whether or not she will ever become adapted to being a permanent indoor cat. Cats are stubborn and once they get used to a certain thing it can take them a while to even try something else, let alone adapt it to a permanent lifestyle. So my recommendation for that is give her some time, she'll let you know which she prefers it took about three to four months before mine decided he wanted to stay indoors all the time now he won't even step outside. Now to answer as best as I can about the second part of your question your pup will adapt to having a kitty in the house that again will take some time on both parts the puppy and the cat. Since your dog is still young the adjustment won't be to hard. They just need some time to get used to eachother and learn their boundaries with eachother you may notice a few battle wounds but probably nothing serious, especially on your pup as the cat lets him know where he can tread or not. I have been in your situation before I had a three yr old cat and a four month old husky now they are best friends. So again give them some time eventually they will learn to adapt and co exist. Good Luck and I hope I helped ya.

Answer 3

OK, first: Write normal English.

To answer your question: Converting an outdoor cat to an indoor cat is as easy as keeping the door closed. My family and I have never had problems doing this. In fact, last month I adopted a 10-year old female who had been an outdoor cat all of her life. She hasn't shown any inclination to get out.

In the spring, I will be taking her outdoors on a harness and a leash.

Answer 4

Basically a cat that has always been an outside cat, will most likely want to continue to be an outside cat. You don't give he/she a choice & keep the cat inside @ all times.

Answer 5

Give them time to get used to eachother.

Answer 6

u know how rightnow is really cold and all pets want to go inside so bring him inside and hopefully it will get adapted to its new place.

Answer 7

just make sure you inform the local shelters just incase it is some body's lost kitty.