Expert: Dear Tabbi - 1/18/2009

Question
Dear Tabbi,

I have a 2 and a half year old cat who is living with my
mom in a different state, who recently got spayed. Which
fortunately changed her behavior for better as I've been
told but now she has a desire to go outside. Cloey (cat's
name) has been strictly an indoor cat and I do not wish her
to suddenly make a dash for freedom and never come back,
since that is my fear. And she's getting more clever at
every attempt

Is there any way to discourage Cloey from trying to get
outside? Or is there a way to train her on a harness?

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon,

Krista.

Answer
Krista,

That is a natural reaction when a cat gets outside. They have discovered that there is a whole new world out there with new smells and things to check out...and they want to get out there and explore.

I would recommend leash training her and taking her outside for periods of time, letting her explore. Cats enjoy that and it helps their state of mind. Here are some good links on how to do it: (copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/ht/leashtrain.htm

http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm

My cats LOVE to be outside. Do you have an area where you can take her out and watch her, maybe letting her lay in the sun awhile? If you have your own area getting a fenced in dog run is good. Then you can put the cat outside when it is nice and she will be safe but yet have the enjoyment of being outside.

If she has feral cat in her background they love to be outside to hunt. It's in their blood. You can take a chance on letting her out  and see what she does. Leave the door cracked open so she can venture outside as far as she is comfortable and then can run back in if she gets scared of something. Stay outside with her the first couple of times. You can also hold her and walk around outside to let her look around first before you try letting her out on her own.

I would collar train her and tape your address and phone number on her collar in case she does get away by running out the door.

About the meowing:

When you notice your cat going towards the door or if she looks like she is  going to begin meowing, distract her. Get a shoe string (or similar) to pull, roll a marble so she can chase it, etc. The key is to distract her from the behavior BEFORE she starts it.

You have to ignore her when she start meowing. Completely! Do not react or acknowledge her meowing in any way. She will eventually stop when she sees that she is not getting any reaction from you. But if you don't ignore her ONE time then it will almost impossible to get her to stop because then she knows that if she meows long enough you will give her attention...and she's got plenty of time. When she stops meowing THEN play with her or give her kitty treats. That way she will associate not meowing with something pleasant.

I've never tried it but get a large box and put it in front of the door with the opening towards the inside of the house. Tape two pieces of cardboard together on top to form a piramid so she can jump on top of the box and meow. Since it blocks the door, a cat shouldn't go in the box just to meow at the back wall of the box

Get a nice tall kitty condo that you can put in front of a window and that she can climb on. They enjoy being high up looking out a window.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi