Ever since we got our kitten (about 3 months ago) she's always wanting to go outside. She doesn't have her shots so I want her to stay an indoor cat, but it seems like everytime someone walks inside the house or if my daughter opens the door (which she's only 2 so she does it very slow) the cat will bolt for the door. Since we've moved here (3 weeks) she has gotten out close to 10 times now, she doesn't leave the property but it is a pain catching her outside, expecially at night. Is there a way I can train her not to bolt for the door at all times? Or should I just let her go outside? If we do let her become an outdoor cat, we would of course put her on a leash. any ideas on that as well?
2007-09-15 10:15:24 · 5 answers · asked by Erika 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
make a room for her have scratch posts toys, litterbox, food, water and make it nice for her in there and put her in there before you leave for somewhere and when everyone is home you can let her out in the house. don't let her be an outside cat.
2007-09-15 10:30:23 · answer #1 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please do not give in to letting your kitten go outside. Indoor cats lead vastly more healthy, more happy, and longer lives than outdoor cats (think disease, cat fights, cars, mean people for just a few sources of unhappy outdoor cats!)
You might want to try some tricks to discourage your cat from "door darting". Try putting a tin can full of small rocks or pennies near the door. (One outside and one inside.) When you are opening the door, shake the can so it makes a very loud noise that will scare the cat away from the door.
You can also have a squirt bottle filled with water handy by the door and squirt her if she makes a move toward the door when you are coming in or going out.
Of course you don't want to hurt her, but you want her to associate the door opening with very scary and unpleasant things so that she will learn to avoid it at all costs.
Watch the 2 year old like a hawk! ;^) As soon as she can understand, you will want to teach her how important it is that the kitty doesn't get outside!
Stay firm -- don't give up and don't give in!!
--lyn
P.S. Leashes are pretty much worthless at best, and dangerous at worst. They can get free if they get scared or startled enough, and you could only hope that they didn't get hurt in the process.... I would discourage that plan and encourage your committment to keeping your sweet baby kitty cat inside where it is safe!!
2007-09-15 17:29:15 · answer #2 · answered by been there done that 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our kitten always tries to get out too. For now, I'm just picking him up and holding on to him whenever anyone goes in or out.
If you want to leash-train the cat, use a harness instead of a collar, and let her get used to it inside first. When you do take her out on the leash, don't try to lead her anywhere - just follow along where she wants to explore.
And in any case, do consider getting her vaccinated.
2007-09-15 17:36:01 · answer #3 · answered by daa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think all cats want to be outdoor, especially if it's off limits to them. I had 3 indoor cats, finally I started letting them go outside. They did come back. If you don't want your kitten going outside, get a water gun, and when the kitten is at the door, spray it.
Good Luck!!
2007-09-15 17:31:47 · answer #4 · answered by kmg 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i have walked a cat on a leash.. you need to get a leash that is a harness not the dog kind that goes around the neck.. it will take the cat a while to get used to being on a leash but it can be done. i used to walk my cat every day...she would bring her leash to me when she thought it was time to go out
2007-09-15 17:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by badkat423 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋