I need to get my cat to go outside?

Question

When we livedin a house before, he was an outside cat from about 20 weekstill about 2 years old. Then we moved into an apartment. Now we are back in a house and he is almost5 and is scared to death to go outside. What can I do to get him to be comfortable going outside?

And I know some of you may ask: Are his paws declawed? No I would NEVER do that to my cat that is horrible, he has his claws.

Advice?

The reason I would like him to be outside is because he is always in my room, and is RARELY ever given the chance to leave my room. The reason he cant leave myroom is because my new step-dad had 2 dogs, then they came to live with us, and they really do not likemy cat and will hurt him. So he stays in my room, and he it isnt interested in toys so.

Answer 1

If you are on the ground floor then u need to leave a window open.It takes time for our cats to adjust to new enviorments.I am so glad to hear that u don't declaw your cats. Have u tried taking her outside with her favorite scratching post with cat nip?That could help too. If she doesn't want to go outside it also might be for the best. Sometimes there afraid of things we don't see.Like a big male cat.Good luck

Answer 2

I doubt he'll get comfortable outside. My male cat I adopted from a shelter when he was just over a year old. He had been dumped there when he was about 5 months old. I don't think he'd ever been outside.

My female cat likes to go outside on a leash, so I figured I'd try that with him. Plus, I wanted to get both cats used to the smell of the immediate area outside my house on the off chance either ever snuck out. Well, no such luck with the male cat. He cried as soon as I brought him out. When I put him on the ground (leash on), he ran right back to the door, cried terribly, cowered, and then started digging to get back inside. I tried two more times at later dates and the same reaction. There is no way that I'm going to try again. He is obviously terrified and I couldn't in good conscious keep pushing the issue.

Answer 3

i see no reason to force a cat to go outdoors if he's frighentened by it. i take care of the four cats in my household and two of them are indoor cats and two are indoor/outdoor. i'm fully convinced that if the other two cats didn't go outside the younger ones wouldn't be so curious about it.

cats can lead very fulfilling (any typically much longer) lives staying indoors. our yonger cats love to "hunt" things inside the house. incase they ever do get out they have been microchip and are not declawed (i'm glad to hear that yours has his claws as well) and always wear a collar or harness with identification.

i think that you want the cat to go outside more for yourself than the cats sake though, since he doesn't want to be out there. my advise is just leave a window cracked so he can get some fresh air and give him lots of stimulating toys that he can play with in the house. as long as your cat gets the attention and stimulation he needs, he's not missing a thing by not going outside.

besides, the first cat my family got was an outside cat and he happened to catch feline lukiemia and died shortly after they found out about it. i don't want you to lose your furry friend in a similiar manner.

Answer 4

Is there a reason he has to go outside? If he is more comfortable inside, I would let him stay in. If he isn't comfortable out there, it probably isn't a safe environment out there. Cats that live indoors live healthier, longer lives. I guess if you really want him to be outdoors, start with the garage, and think about getting him a harness and leash so you can be outside with him to start with, being able to catch him if he tries to run away. If he gets scared, he might bolt and not come back.

Answer 5

Why do you want him outside? Is it for him or for you? Just curious. Either way, try this:

Sit outside on your porch or deck near the door, and leave the door open. Have treats outside and just act casual, like you don't care if he comes out or not. After a few times, he will probably venture out. Give him a treat and leave the door open to let him know he can go back in anytime.

It is a process sometimes, but usually they will start to enjoy the outdoors. His natural instincts will kick in and you will have headless mice at your door in no time!

Answer 6

Start slow, maybe by holding him/her and walk around outside for awhile, and then maybe try a cat leash(if you do make sure that it is a full body harnis and not just a collar) Your cat will start to get more and more interested about going outside and if not don't try to traumatize the cat to much it might just be an indoor cat....

Answer 7

is there a reason why you need the cat to go outside? Just because, my cat is petrified of going outside for some reason, but I think it's mostly just a security thing. She doesn't like the idea of being without me or my family. He probably just got used to being inside, and now he prefers it. Also, it's really a lot safer for him to be inside.

Answer 8

Why do you see the need for your cat to go outside??? If he is comfortable inside be very happy, as inside cats live much longer lives,as they are not exposed to being hit by a vehicle, or prone to catching diseases, etc. Please consider just having him indoors, and you will always know where he is...

Answer 9

I don't see why you need to force him to go outside. Just leave your door open when the weather is nice, and if he wants to check it out, he will. Please make sure he's got identification on him, full address, contact numbers, plus microchip/tatoo if possible. PS, this is not professional advice but it makes sense to me. The more you push him to do something, the more resistant he will become.

Answer 10

How about putting him in a harness, and seeing if he's comfortable going out for a bit with you. Otherwise, you could use a big birdcage, or a wire box, to sit him in, outside, till he gets his confidence back. Sit with him, and feed him tit bits, so he's not frightened.