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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Angry cat wants to go outside
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Question
Hello, I adopted a cat from the humane society one month ago. He is a neutered male shorthair, about 2 years old. Most of the time he's very affectionate and friendly cat and I really love him. He uses the litterbox regularly and does not claw the furniture. The problem is that he gets very angry when I don't let him go outside in morning. He sits at the door and meows and meows. I've tried playing with him, but he's not in the mood. I've tried ignoring him, but he just meows louder. I've bought him all kinds of toys and scratching posts. He has window perches and places to climb. He doesn't care -- he just wants to go outside! And I can't let him outside because I live in a large apt. complex on a very busy street. He's much mellower later in the day so I suppose his former owners must have let him out first thing in the morning. Do you have any suggestions? Will he ever get used to being an inside cat or do I need to find him an owner who has a big yard on a quiet street?
Rebecca,
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Cats do not have any reasoning ability so he probably thinks that if he goes outside he will be in the same familiar 'marked' territory where he was before.
Once a cat is used to going outside he will still want to go. Have you thought about a walking jacket/harness? Here is a link for some information on it:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm
Indoor cats have suppressed hunting urges that they can't satisfy if they don't go outside. The only thing that the inside cat can do to satisfy this urge is to 'hunt and kill' something inside the home like a toy.
Get a pet laser light (at PetSmart or a similar place), they love that. Chasing the 'little red bug' on the floors and walls will help satisfy the hunting urge, tires them out, gives them quality time with you, and is a riot to watch them. But make sure you don't shine the light into their eyes.
Another thing that hunter type cats like, periodically for a treat, is a raw beef rib bone. I have the butcher cut some in half. The cats satisfy their 'fresh kill' instinct by pulling on the meat, the protein is good for them, and the fibers in the meat help clean their teeth. Not all cats are interested in them (some of mine aren't...one of mine won't touch meat, raw OR cooked!) but the 'hunters' usually have fun with them. Sometimes they will growl too if you look like you might try to take it away.
Do you have room out your door for a large dog crate? That way you can put him in it and he can be outside safely. I got mine at Petco and it works for a lot of things. I will attach a picture of it.
Other than these ideas, you basically have to change his routine and what he is used to. It won't be easy but he will finally give up at some point. Though he won't be happy about it.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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