my old cat used to love going outside, now he stays inside always. why?

Question

my cat loves to kill birds and gophers and lay out in the sun. Now I have to force him outside and then he just sits by the door waiting to come back in.

Answer 1

If he is old he probably prefers the nice, temperament climate inside the house where there is food, water and a comfortable place to sleep.

If he was a hunter, though, you can get him a bunch of toys so he can continue to hunt inside. This will keep him healthier, more interested in things and well exercised.

He may also be losing some of his faculties so feels less sure about venturing outside where he may have had some frightening experiences with other cats, dogs, cars or people. He may just want a nice seat by a sunny window in his retirement.

Answer 2

Maybe he is smarter now in his old age, and has realized that the outdoors is a dangerous place for kitties.
I have three indoor cats who sneak outside once in a while, but I do everything I can to keep them inside. Why?
1) Rodents are carriers of fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites, all of which can be transmitted to your cat.
2) Cats are one of the top predators of songbirds, many of which are becoming rare. A cat that kills birds can decimate a breeding population of songbirds.
3) Stray dogs, coyotes, other cats, humans, and cars are all deadly to outdoor cats.
I'm not trying to attack you, but just give you and everyone else some information. Indoor cats are much safer and will generally live longer and healthier lives than outdoor kitties. Let your old boy stay inside and enjoy the sun from a windowsill. He'll be much happier that way.

Answer 3

I could go on and on, telling you this and telling you that but if you really worry so very much ... most of us do... then you need to keep your cat indoors. Seriously, your cat could get hit by a car, could be poisoned ( someone poisoned my outdoor car and I watched him slowly and painfully died. ( Slowly not being able to do anything... broke my heart big time!) Could very well be taken indoors by someone else. Your cat could catch a killer disease. So many things... I would say to keep your cat inside. That way your cat is safer and you won't worry so much. Other than that, you give your cat food, a safe and loving place to live... your cat will stay gone from time to time for a few days at time... but... your cat will always come back unless something has happened to it.

Answer 4

Maybe there are predators out there, either human or animals.

If your cat doesn't want to go out, why force him to do this? Let the kitty be safe and comfortable in his inside home.

There are too many dangers outside of a cat's home that will literally kill him.

Your cat is very wise. Follow his lead - keep him INSIDE.

Answer 5

This has happened to all of my cats as they got older. It's completely normal. It's pretty much the same thing that happens to humans. Most elderly people don't run around outside constantly like they may have done in the past.

Answer 6

Maybe,

1. He could have seen something outside that scared him and he does not wanna go back on there because he thinks it will come back maybe you can show him it is ok or you can keep him inside and see this is a sign that a hawk might get him and it needs to be inside!

2 He could be sick or got something in his paw check his paws and make sure that there is nothing in it!

Answer 7

It's most likely that he's getting old, and feels the cold more readily than he used to when he was young. But if you're worried, take him for a senior kitty check-up.

Answer 8

my cat did the same thing. im not sure why, but its nothing to be concerned about. i think he just likes the comforts of home. warmth, food, and people. its probably not as easy for him to run around the way he used to.

Answer 9

i dont really know but i downloaded some info from this site and it really helped heres the link

http://www.kingdomofpets.com/completecattraining/index.php?aff=troyf1&type=nohop