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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/My cat cannot stand being inside.
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Question
Hi!
I've got a question for you. My cat, a 3 year old male, had just recently undergone a very bad infection in his left paw. During this time, I'd like to keep him indoors so that the situation doesn't happen again. However I don't think my cat likes that idea. He sits and stares at the garden door for hours, meowing his lungs out. When I ignore him, he does it louder. When I pet him or move him away, he instantly runs back. Im starting to find it hard to sleep because of that constant meow. He usually is allowed out, and its been happening for the past 4 days now, he doesn't seem to be tired of it. Please help!
Many thanks,
Adam
Adam,
A cat that is used to going outside, especially a hunter type cat, then keeping him inside is going to greatly upset him.
Have you tried a cat door? If it is safe outside from coyotes, dogs, etc. I would let him out. If not you both will be miserable. But I would keep him inside at night. That is the most dangerous time for a cat to be out. Most importantly, make sure the cat is neutered! Don't let him out if he is a tomcat until you neuter him or you WILL have problems and injuries!
Accidents can happen to cats, even inside cats.
To help you both sleep, play with him before you go to bed, preferably with something like a pet laser light. Then feed him a an of cat food. From being tired from playing and having a full tummy, he should sleep.
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
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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