Expert: Dear Tabbi - 12/6/2008

Question
Greetings.

We have always had indoor only cats, until we adopted Lucivar. He became so determined to go out, he was slipping out between the dog's legs. So he now is allowed out when he wants.

The problem is, he climbs and clings to the windows to let us know that he wants back inside. He's tearing up our screens, but I'm not sure what else to do. He's currently two years old, and neutured. Can he learn to push a doorbell if I installed one low enough? He slips out of collars easily, so I don't know if one of those 'smart key sensor' doorbells will work, since there wouldn't be a place on him to attach it.

Any other ideas or suggestions would be most welcome!
~Amanda

Answer
Amanda,

Cats go by association and habit. If climbing on the screen is his way to tell you he wants in, and it gets results, he will keep doing it. He thinks that is the only way to let you know.

I don't know how your house is set up, but maybe you can get some plastic milk crates and stack them in front of the window so he can jump up on them and see in. Then tack some bells on a string where they hang down in front of the window that he can bat around when he wants to let you know he wants in. If that gets results then he will do that.

The doorbell training would take a LOT of time (maybe months) and patience, but it probably could be done. As I said, cats go by association. So if he associated the doorbell with the door opening it would work. You can sit with him outside and press the doorbell then open the door. You would have to do that numerous times, AND be able to keep him there paying attention. You can hold his paw and press the doorbell, then open the door. You can rub catnip on the doorbell and hope that he rubs against it, making the doorbell ring, then open the door. Do all that for days. You can't ever get frustrated or try to force him to do it if he doesn't want to because then he will be afraid of it and will never go near it.

It may be easier to get a kitty door, or buy some heavy duty screening, and a lot of extra to replace the screen.

AND keep his claws trimmmed! That will help the screening and keep him from getting hung up and tearing it more. Here is a link with photos that shows you how to trim the claws:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm

I hope this helps,

Tabbi