why does my cat suddenly not want to go outside?

Question

my female cat who has been spayed was always very outgoing, but all of a sudden she refuses to go outside unless its to use the toilet (she hates the litter tray but will use it wen she has to) she always wants to come straight back in again, which is unlike her. there are other cats around and i think she may have been fighting with one of them and has lost her territory - if this is the case then wot can i do? she is eating and drinking well and is in good health. she has me worried as it used to be that you could hardly get her to come back in the house!

Answer 1

Cats can change their likes and dislikes with the aging process. Many cats who have enjoyed being outdoors will become more homebodies as they age.

It is much safer for you cat to want to be inside, especially if there are other cats outside for her to get into fights with. Do not try to force her to stay outside, you can pick and choose when you want to be outside, for the most part and should allow her the same choice.

If there were anything physically wrong with her, she would not be eating and drinking normally. Have a good night.

Answer 2

She may fighting with ohter cats, which is a pretty reasonable explanation. But if she went outside and didn't mind the other cats, then what is it?

The reason is that she has been spayed, the urge to go outside is no longer present. Because, she can no longer drop pheremone, and attract male cats. The same thing happened to my cat after he got neutered. I guess it happens to both genders. In a few weeks, she will be back to herself again, right now I bet she's thinking, "why couldn't I get a boyfriends like everyelse on the block???' After a couple of weeks, she'll get over it, and start going out again! So cheer up and don't worry!

Answer 3

If another cat is threatening her she will want to come in ASAP. If I think there's another cat out there I go out and look around and chase them off, especially if I find them trying to mark my yard as their territory. Your cat can't LOSE her territory. All she needs to do is mark it again. However if there is an agressive male out there she's avoiding a fight. Most females avoid fights. If there IS an agressive male out there he's probably not neutered. In our area we have a feral cat group to call who will find out if the cat is a stray and if he is they will get him fixed so he isn't threatening the other cats.

I don't know where you live, but where I am it's damn cold out and my cats only spend 5 minutes at a time outside right now. The minute it warms up a little bit they love being out.

Answer 4

it possible for a cat to suddenly become scared of going outside? I adopted my very independant cat in July and he would spend every night out and about on his travels. About a month ago he came home without his collar (I don't know if that is significant!) and he has refused to go outside ever since! When I carry him outside and shut the door, his ears go flat and he becomes very distressed, he miows and bangs the door until I let him in again! He won't even go out for the loo and I have had to introduce a litter tray. He is a big cat (6 kilos) and there was no sign of him being in a fight. I am concerned that he going to become over-weight, as all he does these days is sleep and eat! Can anybody shed any light on this?!

it possible for a cat to suddenly become scared of going outside? I adopted my very independant cat in July and he would spend every night out and about on his travels. About a month ago he came home without his collar (I don't know if that is significant!) and he has refused to go outside ever since! When I carry him outside and shut the door, his ears go flat and he becomes very distressed, he miows and bangs the door until I let him in again! He won't even go out for the loo and I have had to introduce a litter tray. He is a big cat (6 kilos) and there was no sign of him being in a fight. I am concerned that he going to become over-weight, as all he does these days is sleep and eat! Can anybody shed any light on this?!

Heh. All my cat has EVER done was eat and sleep :P Seriously though. It is very possible that a cat can become suddenly scared of going outside. In fact, it happens quite a bit. Most likely he had some sort of problem last time he was outside, another cat maybe? but you did say there wasn't any sign of a fight.... so perhaps a person, car or some other kind of animal.. who knows? basically something scary. The main thing is that he has most likely now associated this unpleasant experience with outside. Probably the only thing you can do is take him out on little trips outside each day. Take it little by little, lengthening the time out each day. Always accompany him, don't leave him out there on his own till he is ready for it. Eventually he should come to realise that bad things won't happen every time he goes outside...just be patient... these things can take a long time. Other then that, i can't think of much else you can do. Perhaps if he doesn't improve you may have to make him an inside cat? Good luck!

Answer 5

My namesake, Puff, has exactly the same problem. It developed a few years ago after something frightened her when she was outside exploring in the woods surrounding our house. It took about six months before she'd willingly go outside. She now goes out, but she doesn't go very far. She has a loop that she makes from the house to the barn and back. Most of the time, she's content to just lie in the sun on the porch. I don't think you need to worry about it. Look at it this way...she's a lot safer in the house. (I say that, but I'm not sure how true it is. Last September, Puff was inside and managed to break her tail and dislocate one of her toes. The toe was fixed, but her tail had to be amputated and she's now incontinent. Nowadays, I wish she'd spend more time outside instead of peeing everywhere in the house!)

Answer 6

first of all, are you making all the cats use the comparable clutter field? if so, do no longer. Get separate boxes. that is one purpose they are peeing everywhere. Cats do no longer like to hire yet yet another cats clutter field. 2nd, it would very properly be by using actuality that your cats at the instant are around a clean cat and vice verso. whilst cats are scared or mad at you, they do tend to pee in each and each place as adversarial to the cat container. I heavily doubt it has something to do with the cat being in warmth. mutually as you do circulate out, the subject might properly be fastened. additionally, if the clutter container is grimy then cats will bypass someplace else. verify you're turning out to be a basic cat field and get separate ones on your cats. confidently so as that it will help some.

Answer 7

Escort her outside and see what she is looking at, and watch what she is doing. That may give you a clue, and make her feel safer.
I have an older cat who likes to come outside, but only if I am with her. She used to be THE cat and never allowed another in the yard, but time passes, and she is smart enough to know her own limitations. :~)

Answer 8

I think you are right about losing its territory so if your cat wants to go out side you will have scare the other cats away before letting your cat have a lovely walk!

Answer 9

Some cats can just change, my cat used to go out all the time, but she enjoys staying in now. you can also see if the weather has anything to do with it, as if it is too cold then it wont want to go outside.

Answer 10

it is more than likely what you are suspecting that she has had a fight or is feeling intimidated by another animal, best just leave her to do as she pleases for now as maybe she is thinking up a cunning plan to reign over her garden again!! as long as she is eating and drinking well i see no harm in leaving her to her own devices im sure she will be back to normal before you know it.
xx