My cat is scared of my big balcony,what can I do to make her get used to it?

Question

She is 3 years old and more than half a year ago we moved into a new apartement.Since then she was scared to even step out into it.I think it is because of the fans on the ceilings.She loves tuna so we tried putting it out and she still refused to go.We even tried making her to get used to it by getting her out every evening for about one hour and closing the door so she won't escape,but she still doesn't want to go there,yet where I live it is very hot and she is long-haired so she needs to get out from time to time,it is too hot inside!

Answer 1

If she doesn't want to go on the balcony, then don't force her, that only makes her more afraid, just leave the door open to the balcony and maybe in time she'll just wander out there on her own. I can't see whats the big deal about her going on the balcony? if she doesn't want to go then leave her to decide for herself she just might surprise one day and go out when she's ready.Cats have a mind of their own, the more you try her to do something the more she'll resist, have patience.

Answer 2

Your cat, may be afraid of how high up your flat and balcony are. I can imagine that you are above the second or third floor!
My cats sit in my windowsills, the little one especially to watch the birds.
I am afraid if you force your cat to go out on the balcony, that if she gets desperate enough from being locked out there, she may jump! This would cause physical and emotional trauma for the both of you! Not saying anything about a huge doctor's bill, if she/he would survive!
Otherwise, you could purchase a window shelf at your local pet store. They clamp onto the window sill when the window is placed in the down position,;which is much safer for the cat! At my old flat, Princess would sit on the little cat shelf for hours watching the birds, and other cats in the neighborhood!
Questions/Problems : [e-mail] this is Kimpossible signing off ! Bye bye! and have a blessed day!

Answer 3

I think shutting her out on the balcony has probably contributed to her being scared of it. Cats don't like being trapped anywhere (who does) - it would more likely make her resent it than get used to it.

I think the best thing to do would be to just leave the balcony doors open a lot so she gets used to it that way. Don't make a big deal out of it and don't make her go out there. At the moment she views the place as a big deal, somewhere she knows you want her to go and might make her at any moment! Never carry her out there, just leave the doors open and come in and out yourself so she starts to view it as just another part of the house.

Chalice

Answer 4

Scared? Not at all. After reading some of the answers I've seen on this site, encountering someone with a decent vocabulary would be refreshing. Of course, the person shouldn't use fancy words to try to intimidate you. As for whether there's a difference between "your" and "you're," there most certainly is a difference. "Your" is possessive, as in your car, your grades, your new haircut. "You're" is a contraction for "you are," as in "you're a good friend" or "you're getting a raise." Using good grammar doesn't make a person pretentious, but using poor grammar indicates either a lack of education or an "I don't care" attitude. At least, that's what it means to me, but I admit I may be overly sensitive to things like that. Finally, don't be afraid of someone who understands things like motorcycle wheelies. Just the other day, I saw someone doing one on an interstate highway, with most traffic moving about 70 mph., and the driver didn't even have a helmet on. It was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. Be glad you don't have any first-hand knowledge of that!

Answer 5

cats shouldnt be allowed on balconies, many cats have slipped and fallen. cats can only land on there feet without injury if they fall from small heights ( 3-5 feet or less, usually)

Answer 6

I think maybe going outside with her in your arms and sitting down for a while can help her realise that she's quite safe there.

Answer 7

This isn't a joke.....cover her eyes and give her tuna when she's out there she'll start getting used to it quickly

Answer 8

every thing in Life takes Time just give them some time

Answer 9

You just have to sit down and talk to it. Explain to you cat that is will be ok. Sometimes they are hard to reason with but use some big words that it might not understand to try and confuse it.

Answer 10

Throw her off and make her realize she can handle it and land on her feet