Can I turn an outdoor cat into an indoor cat?

Question

I am moving to a one-bedroom apartment. My parents have an out-door cat that has always lived outdoors/in the garage, never indoors. She is 12 years old. Would she be upset moving to a new place, my new apartment, and being kept entirely indoors? She would be alone frequently but I don't know if that would matter since she is alone often now. Also, would a cat make an apartment smell if it is not a big apartment? Is a bad idea to try to make this cat move?

Answer 1

A cat is definitely a pretty independent pet, but they do need love so make sure that when you are home that you pay attention to her! You can absolutely move a cat indoors, I did the same with mine and she is fat and happy as they say :). I live in a small apartment and it doesn't have a "smell" as long as you keep her litter box clean. Buying her some Pet Grass from a store such as Petco is also a good idea, it gives them a little taste of the outside to chew on and they love it! Good luck with your move!

Answer 2

I have a cat that is 24 years old and I found him on the street when he was little. He tried for a little bit to get out of the apartment but after a while he just settled in. We bought a house a few years later and he adjusted very well to the move. As we were fixing it up we would take him with us for a few hours and he was fine with it when we actually moved. I think even if a cat is outdoors and it stays in as long as you keep the cat litter cleaned out it won't smell up the place. Indoor cats have a longer life expectancy as you can see with mine he's 24.

Answer 3

No one can or should tell you if it is a bad idea to move the cat.
But here are my thoughts:
Will she use a litter box?
If not leave her alone. Where as it is true that any cat will live a longer and healthier life as an indoor cat, a cat who does not use a litter box will make your life as well as your new apartment a smelly mess.
At 12 years old she should be quite content to lay around the house waiting for you to come home.
Is she spayed?
Both male and female cats will mark their territory if they are not spayed or neutered which will make your new place stink.
Cats are very clean animals so as long as you keep her litter box clean and she is spayed all should be well.
I would also take her to the vets to ensure that she has no medical problems and ask the dr. his/her opinion.
My personal experience is we have done what you are pondering and would do it again in half a heart beat. We gave her some time to adjust to her new surrounding but she did not need it. The most important things to her were a cuddle and dinner time.
Best of luck to both of you.

Answer 4

No , it is not a bad idea. you can very easily make her an indoor cat. Just make sure that you have 2 litter boxes. Have plenty of toys so she doesn't get bored. I have made inside cats out of many that were outdoors. Mine have never given me a problem and adjusted immediately to being inside. I always have a spray on hand if there is a smell after they have used the litter box and scoop as often as they go. I am retired and can do this often, however I'm not always around, but a good brand of litter takes care of any smell.. Good luck with your cat!!!

Answer 5

Leave the cat with your parents. Why do you want to have her/him moving with you? That won't be good for the cat.
And believe me, an outdoor cat is never alone, if she/he can meet other outdoor cat.
An indoor cat moving into your small appartment won't make it smell, if you change the litter frequently enough. But if you try to turn an outdoor cat into an indoor cat, the animal has the possibility to make it smell quite nasty, just in spite.

Answer 6

Outdoor cats get really quiet when they realize they are somewhat more safe once indoors. But they will make slightly less of a pet also. By you being playful the cat thinks your backing it against a wall. Therefore if you try to order it you'd be wasting your breath. However if you want to just let it alone it will come to you when it wants to and probably won't tear up the house if given the proper things. All cats would scratch things so.

Answer 7

Usually cats that have been outside will not be happy stuck inside at all times. It is safer to be an indoor cat, but sometimes that is just not realistic with certain cats, or they will drive you crazy. I tried to do the same thing with my cat. When I first got her, I tried for 9 months to keep her indoors. After constantly having to chase her when she would run outside when the door opened, I decided to let her go out. Then, I got married 2 years later and had to move to an apartment. We thought it would be good to keep her as an indoor cat when we moved, but of course, that did not work either. To be sure she knew where she lived, and wouldn't try to go to her old home (which cats often do), we took her out on a leash in the backyard a few days. After that, she knew the scent and her territory was marked. If you decide to take her with you, I see no harm in letting her out. However, let her get used to her surroundings before letting her out. She doesn't have to stay outside at all times like she used to. Let her out during the day and make sure she is inside before dark. Another choice is to let her live the rest of her life where she is and get a new cat. I know how it is though, you would miss her too much! Good luck.

Answer 8

My friend did that with a cat that had never been around people before. She might not be happy indoors, but she would probably like being away from the elements as she gets older.

Answer 9

It would be nice to bring the cat indoors especially since she/ he is getting older and I'm sure her/his bones are a little weary.

Just change the litter often. The cat will love you.

Answer 10

she probably most likely would be upset to move. all animals dont like moving. she will probably be upset to stay inside all the time also, but she will get used to it like it or not.
if you keep the litter box clean, and she is not the type of cat to mark her territory, you wont have to worry about it being stinky.
also you should probably get her a cat leash so that she doesn't ever get to see the outside again. cats weren't made to stay inside all of their lives. plus she would like the occasional walk. outside. if your not gonna be home much... you probably shouldn't move with her. cats need attention.... either that or you get her a friend. you might actually want to get her spayed if she isn't already.