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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Kitten trying to run outside
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Question
I adopted a 3 month old male tabby a few days ago. I live in a house. Twice now the kitten has tried to escape outside with the door being open for only 2 sec. I have tried to clap and stomp and make noise to make the door area unappealing to no avail. Any suggestions? My sons and I would be devastated to lose this little guy; he does have a collar and microchip.
Tracey,
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It is always best to adopt 2 kittens. A kitten needs a friend to cuddle with, play kitty games with, and be comfort and companionship when they are alone. This new world is scary to him and he is trying to run back to where he was, where it was familiar. Cats have no reasoning ability and do not know that outside is not where he was.
Cats love to go outside, but not until he has been in the house at least 2 weeks to learn the smells and noises of his new home. I would tape your address and phone number on the collar...just in case he does dart outside and panics.
He is too young to go outside by himself but if you are planning to let him out later here are some tips.
Before you let him outside the first time (if you plan to) hold the cat and walk around the perimeter of your yard, or area so the cat can look around and get some smells first. Let your cat go exploring the first time BEFORE he is fed. Hunger keeps a cat close to home. Leave the door cracked open and let the cat venture out as he feels comfortable. They rarely go far...but ALWAYS keep an eye on the cat the first few times. Having the door cracked open gives the cat a chance to run back in to safety if there is something 'scary' out there. The cat needs to put his scents around the area so he knows that is where home is. He will do that by rubbing on things.
Always watch for stray cats or dogs that could chase your cat far from home to where they are lost, or possibly injure them. Surprising cats usually like to go outside for a little while, then they are ready to come back in. Staying outside with them the first couple times will be reassuring to them.
Here is a link to an article about letting a kitten go outside that you may want to read:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
http://ezinearticles.com/?L etting-Your-Kitten-Out-For-The-Very-First-Time&id=700370
About meowing or darting at the door:
When you notice your cat going towards the door or if he looks like he is going to begin meowing, distract him. Get a shoe string (or similar) to pull, roll a marble so he can chase it, etc. The key is to distract him from the behavior BEFORE he starts it.
You have to ignore him when he start meowing. Completely! Do not react or acknowledge his meowing in any way. He will eventually stop when he sees that he is not getting any reaction from you. But if you don't ignore him ONE time then it will almost impossible to get him to stop because then he knows that if he meows long enough you will give him attention...and he's got plenty of time. When he stops meowing THEN play with him or give him kitty treats. That way he 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 he 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 for him to climb on. They enjoy being high up looking out a window.
You may want to get a dog crate to put the kitten in so he can go outside safely. I am attaching a picture of mine that I got at Petco. They are great for new cats or kittens.
I hope this helps.
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).
Education/Credentials
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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