How to keep a cat indoors

 

(When they don’t want to be kept indoors) Of all domesticated animals, the cat has the most “wild” left in their instincts. They crave exploration and their hunting instincts are hard wired into their brains. Cat lovers know the life expectancy of an indoor only cat can reach an average of 17 years, while outdoor cats is only 3 to 5 years, so logically it is preferred to keep your cat inside at all cost, but that is easier said than done.

 

I found that out the hard way. Micah the cat was planned to be a strictly indoor only cat, he was neutered and declawed, and thoroughly enjoyed playing in paper bags or running though the house on a catnip induced high. However, something made Micah want to dart out the door when at all possible. We had to be on high alert ever time we opened the door; “Where’s Micah? Is it safe to open the door? Hurry, close the door here he comes!” This tactic was rendered useless 95% of the time. He longed to explore underneath the house for hours at a time to satisfy his curiosity and fulfill his predatory instincts. Sadly, this cost him his life. Now I know what I should have done differently and I am very upset that I didn’t find out before it was too late. I hope that these tips can keep your indoor only cat, indoors and alive.

 

Leash training

 Buy a cat harness or the Kitty Holster jacket type of harness and a retractable leash. Taking a leash trained cat on nature walks can satisfy their desire to explore. Once the harness is on, try using a feathered toy to lure the cats to walk forward, or just let them explore on their own. It is easy to do if your cat doesn’t object the harness too much, but over time, they will get used to it. Let them get a feel for the harness for a few hours before attempting the leash.

 

The Scat Mat

The Scat Mat is a touch sensitive training pad, which tells your cat or dog "No,” even when you aren't there. PetSafe Scat Mats  train pets to stay away from areas where you don't want them by giving them a harmless little zap. I am not really a fan of “zapping” any creature aside from insects, but if this had saved my cat’s life, then the means would have justified the end.  The company also sells dummy mats to use once your pets have been trained. The price runs from $27 to $60.

Outdoor enclosures

A cat enclosure can be an excellent way to satiate your cat’s outdoor desire and keep them safe. In Australia, cat laws have become very strict when it comes to outdoor cats and owners have come up with elaborate ways to keep their cat’s happy, and one of these enclosures is so nice, I think I would enjoy it too. Cats of Australia even has instructions on how to build one. Many homes in the suburbs are packed close together and have that small strip of land between neighbors, a screened in cat enclosure would be a great use of what is normally wasted space. A small cat door can be installed in a window in minutes. What a great weekend project.

If you have great tips to add, please leave a comment below.