Keeping the cat INSIDE..help?

Question

I have a cat. He will be 2years old in May and is a male. Since he was about 1 year old, hes tried getting out of the house. My mother made me get him declawed. I was only 17 when I got him and did not know how terrible declawing a cat is. Also, now that he IS declawed, I really can not let him out becuase he would have no way to defend himself - other than his teeth. & we live in a very woodsy area, with lots of wild animals. I dont want him out there

Whenever we open the doors, he sneeks out from behind his hiding spot and he darts right outside. we have to spend hours sometimes trying to get him back in.

I have a large bedroom, with my own bathroom and such. I have had to keep the cat in my room for the past 2 or 3 weeks to prevent him from running out the door. His litter, food, water, pet bed, and toys are all in my room. there are also many windows in my room and he enjoys laying in the sun. However, I dont think its fair for him to be in here all the time.

What can I do to keep him INSIDE the house? Because i have 3 young siblings, the door is always being opened and closed, and i really can not controll that.

I should add that we have 5 other cats, none of them have ever tried to get outside.

Any suggestions would be fantastic, thanks.

He has been fixed & he does have all of his shots

details details.

A few people have said that an indoor life for cats is not good, due to lack of exercise etc... However, the vet/other resources that I have looked into online say that indoor cats have a much longer life expectancy & tend to be healthier animals.

Answer 1

Once your cat has been outside he will continually try to get out, especially when neighboring females are in heat...it will help to have him neutered.

Answer 2

All I can say is good luck for starters. The exact thing happened to me, I was 10 when we got our kitty and had him declawed cause he was an indoor cat (he was also neutered, doesn't help). He decided he wanted to go outside, and there is little you can do. Probably others will have good suggestions, but nothing worked for us. Now, if you do let him out, what you have to consider is the area, are there lots of stray cats? dogs roaming around? other animals like foxes, raccoons etc that would hurt the kitty? If there are, letting him out would be a mistake on his own. Try harness and leash training him, maybe he would be content with being allowed out but on a line so he can't go out of sight. If he really gets in a pickle, he will use his back claws to defend himself, the front claws are really for threats and don't do a whole lot of good in defense anyway. Personally, although I don't think declawed cats should be outside, Mischief is 15 and hasn't had any problems (we had a raccoon out there once, and he ran it up a tree). Like Savannah's Mommy, we live in a farm setting, and our biggest worry is Eagles, but claws won't help them there anyway. You know that the best thing is to keep declawed kitty in, but unfortunately kitty has probably made up his mind.

Answer 3

There might not be anything that you can do. We had a cat like that too, although he was not declawed I did trim his nails regularly. He was never an outdoor cat but that didnt stop him from making every attempt to get out. He was like greased lightening and all of the sudden we'd realize he was missing and had gotten outside. Its like you can never be too careful. There wasn't a solution. I think it;s just that way for some cats. Some people don't understand this but its the way it is. It might be that all you can do is just surrender this situation - if you have tried everything - knowing that his life is likely to be quite a bit shorter than it would otherwise. My philosophy is that the cat is part of making that choice. You can try to help him stay inside best you can but if he chooses to be out then there are consequences with that choice. I know cats dont understand this but if hes happier outside is there a point in keeping in him for the rest of his life if he'd rather be out - even if his life would likely be shorter? It's not an easy question. Just make sure that he and all the other cats are up to date on their vaccinations.

Answer 4

Well my cats have their claws still, but I don't ever let them outside. I live on a corner and people tend to take it at mock 80 and I don't want to see my cat get hit. So every time one of my cats especially my male cat who is my favorite, even goes near the door I panic. Now they are scared of what is out there because of my reaction. I had one female who had a strong urge to go outside and every day (if it was nice out) I bought a little toy dog harness and put her on a leash that way I could keep it supervised. I have 5 cats and (unless I am out there sitting on the porch) I can have the door open all day and they wont go out there no way, if I am out there my male especially might sneak out but he is too afraid to stray farther than 3 ft from me. If I go in the house he is RIGHT behind me.

Answer 5

well osund slike he was an outdoor cat BEFORE you got him. You might want to consider keeping him in an area of the house where he'll be less likely to get out. say...... the basement level (as long as it is continuously occupied by people). Maybe try taking him outside on a lease. I know some cats that love this, though my cat hates it. If your cat accepts the collar you could take him outside to play or get him a long lease and attach it to a tree in your yard so he can play on his own, but make sure that you keep an eye on him while he's out there cause cats are champions at getting loose.

Answer 6

Well, some cats just want out...is he neutered...this could be the problem...if he's not neutered, get him done, this will curb his appetite to get out....I have a female cat who runs out every chance she gets...she's declawed too, she is fixed, but I can't keep her in...she does fine outside. Once she was hit by a car...got a little road rash and needed stitches..she recovered and yes she still gets out every chance she gets...it's animal instinct all you can do is the best you can do, but I agree being locked in your room is not really fair for him...do the best you can and hope for the best...good luck!

Answer 7

I agree have him neutered might help, but as sadie -oye said, once he has had te taste of life outside it wont be easy. So getting him fixed, Might help a little. I have two males and one girl, (I call them my children as I cant have any) They have been fixed, BUT it also has alot with dominance from other cats. My cats never wanted 2 go out, but since living with my mom in law they r always tryi'n 2 get out, Too many cats are also not good. Also its not realy fair to keep them indoors, mabye also take him for a walk. u can train them on leash like u would a dog, not ideal, but it could help.

Answer 8

they make cat enclosures for outside and that might be an option. or possibly get him used to a leash? and walk him...once declawed theywill never grow back..I assume he is neutered..if not thats a start but he has had a taste of the outside and he is young....good luck as I have a declawed cat and she used to be an outdoors cat but we lived in a more farm setting, when we moved closer to the traffic in the city its been a real hard thing to keep her inside...and had a few escapes...good luck..smile

here are a few sites to help train him to be on leash:
http://www.peoriahs.org/catleash.html
http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm
http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/training/walking_your_cat.html
http://www.pet-net.net/surprisevalley/leashtraining.htm
http://www.cattraining.com/
http://www.thepetpamperers.com/leashtraining.htm
http://www.petuniversity.com/cats/activities--fun/leash-training.htm

and here are some sites for cat enclosures( you might be able to make one of your own with these ideas...smile:
http://www.just4cats.com/
http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp
http://www.midnightpass.com/kittywalktm.html
http://www.thecatsden.net/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/fence_me_in.html

EDIT: I think he has had a taste of the outside and you have to admit that its way more fun and adventuresome out there... I would try teaching him to walk on leash or make a cat enclosure thats safe for him to be outside...smile..good luck!!!

Answer 9

people who say it is unfair to keep a cat indoors are ignorant to the fact that indoor cats are healthier, live longer. and are happier. He has a bee in his bonnet about going outside, just watch him and hopefully he will get over this obcession, cats go through obcessive behavior patterns. read some books by nicholas dodd, he is an animal behaviorist maybe he can give you some great tips.

Answer 10

You just have to have patience for after a long while he will give it up and be content to living indoors. Keeping him in your room is a very good idea and will not hurt him. He will object but will get over it. Just give him lots of toys, scratching post to climb on, treats and TLC.
Also giving him access to the window is a good idea (like TV for cats). Make sure to give him lots of attention and play time. He will soon be happy with what he has and give up wanting outside and most will even fear it after a while.
Good luck!

Answer 11

You can take her out on a leash, i know it sounds silly but I have been doing it with my cat for about seven years now. Trust me you only need to take her out once a week maybe for a hour. My cat when we come home sleeps for a couple of hours. You cant really train a cat to use the leash like a dog, you have to kind of follow her a bit but she'll love it and love you for doing it....and youll have the peace of mind of knowing your protecting her.