forcing a cat to remain inside

[javo2004]

I have a cat that has always lived with me in an apartment.

He has always been very curious, brave and adventurous - and was always very, very, very keen to go outside.

Well, I recently was invited by a company to move to the UK (that I accepted) and, for these initial times, rented a furnished top floor of a 2 floor house (actually, the only one who accepted the cat).

The house has a small backyard in the back, and ... now he DEMANDS to go outside. He whines very loud and insistently, scratching the door -  no one here knows what peace is anymore.

As he is "forced" to remain inside, he does all sort of horrific things, like scratching the carpets and throwing things off to the floor (he is not stupid, he knows he is behaving bad, that's why he runs away from me right after) - I already had to pay for some small damages in the house.

Last week I took him for a walk and he ran away from me. Managed to eat several plants and had a terrible intoxication that lasted for almost 4 days (intense vomiting and diarrhea).

Early this week, again, he ran from me, climbed a tree and jumped to the other side of the fence, into the neighbors backyard - that has no trees (so he wouldn't be able to return to my backyard) and has no fences separating to a very busy road. I was very anxious and went to the neighbor begging him to allow me to get the cat before he decided to go to the road (he doesn't know how dangerous cars are!!).

I am very worried about this behavior of him running away from me and ignoring my calls - this is not typical of him. It's obvious that he loves the outdoors. On the other hand, I don't know what to do anymore. He is not giving me any other option, but allowing him to go outside and hope for the best.

The owners of the house are tired of hearing his constant whining (while I spend the day out, working). Today they said that he is behaving like a cat, and that I am being unreasonable and cruel "because cats are not meant to be 'prisoners' inside houses" (they obviously regret the decision of allowing me to bring the cat).

I need ideas.

Before you suggest me to "spend time with him", I bought a harness to take him for a walk for more than 1 hour, right after work, everyday... just for him to immediately start whining when we return home.

I can try to play with him, but he will lose interest in less than 5 minutes and start whining because going outside is so much more exciting.

Truly, my life now revolves around two things: Job and Cat. I don't have time for anything else. And that's not even the problem... It's so frustrating because, despite all my efforts, no one, in this story, is happy.

 

[javo2004]

Dangers I perceive:

- He is a beautiful persian cat, and could easily be stolen.

- Once he leaves this backyard (jumps the fence), the only way back is through a busy road.

- He might get lost as he is not used to go outside.

- Or decide to not come back by own decision (strange behavior of running away from me ???)

 

[margarida]

Wow. I feel sorry for you and what he is putting you through. Once I read that he is a persian cat, you can not leave him outside. You are right he will be taken. There is a show that I watch called "My Cat From Hell" and have seen where the owners had to build a cat aviary or get a crate where they could leave the cat outside during the day. I don't know if this would work for you as you are on the second floor and renting. I wish I could help you but I just don't of anything else. 

 

[justagimmick]

Where did you move from? (not that this is relevant, curiosity mostly.)

My suggestion would be to set an 'outdoor' routine.  My male cat comes and goes as he pleases now, but before that he would be let out under supervision and then called in for food and not go out again.  As he got into the routine, he had less supervision and now has a cat flap.  He will stay in most of the day, going out to go to toilet and sunbathe in nice weather.  

My newer cat is still kept indoors until she learns to come when called and will go through a similar routine when I feel she is ready to go out.

Under supervision I would try to tire him out whilst we're outside, as well.   His fascination of outdoors diminished over time.

Would that work for you? 

Is he microchipped?  That would help with straying or any risk of theft.

 

[catwoman707]

So a few things, first and foremost, to confirm that he is infact neutered.

If not, there's the problem.

If so, great.

Some cats just don't do well confined to indoors only, and just have to be allowed out or they drive everyone so crazy they end up giving in.

I have cats who have no street smarts for cars and dogs, etc but were bored inside all day long.

So years back I took some of that stiff (not the flimsy soft type) and cut down the middle of the roll creating very long 2 foot strips of wire, and attached them at the top of the fence in back, all the way around.

Then bent it inward a bit and braced it every so often so it stays put, corners were wired together to form a dome like.

Cats will not climb a reverse overhang.

Catproofed!! Nobody comes in, nobody gets out.

Cats get to enjoy basking the sunshine, pounce on bugs and chirp at birds, I couldn't imagine life without it.

You can also use plastic mesh but placing it lower on the fence.

There is also this-

http://oscillot.com.au/

 

[javo2004]

 
Where did you move from? (not that this is relevant, curiosity mostly.)

My suggestion would be to set an 'outdoor' routine.  My male cat comes and goes as he pleases now, but before that he would be let out under supervision and then called in for food and not go out again.  As he got into the routine, he had less supervision and now has a cat flap.  He will stay in most of the day, going out to go to toilet and sunbathe in nice weather.  

My newer cat is still kept indoors until she learns to come when called and will go through a similar routine when I feel she is ready to go out.

Under supervision I would try to tire him out whilst we're outside, as well.   His fascination of outdoors diminished over time.

Would that work for you? 

Is he microchipped?  That would help with straying or any risk of theft.

From Portugal. 

Not sure if it would work. Yesterday he managed to escape the harness, run and made a desperate awkward jump - in an attempt to escape - just to smash in the fence.

Funny and worrying at the same time.

I think you are correct when you say that his fascination will diminish with time - but right now the outdoors are a brand new unexplored world for him.

He meows and seems upset all the time, he stopped following me and coming when I call him. Seems like a different cat. I have my reasons to believe that if I would leave him on his own, he would never return 

 

[javo2004]

 
So a few things, first and foremost, to confirm that he is infact neutered.

If not, there's the problem.

If so, great.

Some cats just don't do well confined to indoors only, and just have to be allowed out or they drive everyone so crazy they end up giving in.

I have cats who have no street smarts for cars and dogs, etc but were bored inside all day long.

So years back I took some of that stiff (not the flimsy soft type) and cut down the middle of the roll creating very long 2 foot strips of wire, and attached them at the top of the fence in back, all the way around.

Then bent it inward a bit and braced it every so often so it stays put, corners were wired together to form a dome like.

Cats will not climb a reverse overhang.

Catproofed!! Nobody comes in, nobody gets out.

Cats get to enjoy basking the sunshine, pounce on bugs and chirp at birds, I couldn't imagine life without it.

You can also use plastic mesh but placing it lower on the fence.

There is also this-

http://oscillot.com.au/

He is neutered. 

Today I am going to the vet to further discuss this problem, bcause I am desperate.

Unfortunately the backyard is not mine (nor the staying in this house permanent) so I cannot make this kind of changes to it.

I am thinking of 2 possible solutions:

- Put him on a escape proof harness (is there such a thing ??) + leash (long enough so he can walk around within the garden area)

- Make an investment and buy a big crate to put him there so we can give our ears and nervous system some rest.

 

[javo2004]

 
Wow. I feel sorry for you and what he is putting you through. Once I read that he is a persian cat, you can not leave him outside. You are right he will be taken. There is a show that I watch called "My Cat From Hell" and have seen where the owners had to build a cat aviary or get a crate where they could leave the cat outside during the day. I don't know if this would work for you as you are on the second floor and renting. I wish I could help you but I just don't of anything else. 

You were very helpful. Thank you!

I did like the crate idea and will explore this option.

 

[evolily]

I would try a harness and leash. There are some that are vest like and suppose to be harder to escape.

When he's acting terrible do NOT reinforce it. Ignore him, don't put the harness and leash on him to go out, don't open a window, etc. Wait until he's behaving (sitting quietly at the door, asleep, etc) before you take him out.

 

[kimba44]

I recently moved into a smaller house with my 3 cats.  I had to put them on Fluoxetine  (prozac) and this really helped.  The drug is really cheap to purchase about $4.00 for 3 months.  It really may help your problem.  I also never do anything my cat wants when he or she is crying because if you do they will keep this up until they get their way.  I would take him on a leash when he is being quiet.  There is also a cat wheel you could try.  

 

[pusheen]

What kind of harness are you using? If your cat is escaping from it, it's probably too big. A well-sized harness will wrap the cat's torso and will be snug, not loose. 

 

[rawlins02]

1) Try a harness.

2) Consider an outdoor enclosure.

3) Never react to cries to go outside.

4) If you can manage supervised walks of some sort, in time behavior will likely improve. Obsession will likely wane.

5) Recognize that dusk and dawn are when he's likely to be most rambunctious, and use that to your advantage, if possible.

 

[handsome kitty]

There are portable enclosures.  Not sure which are available by you.  Here's the one I would like to get eventually.  http://catsondeck.com/

this is what I currently have. It's ABO Gear and you buy the pieces separately.

IMAG0313.JPG

• handsome kitty
• Apr 25, 2015

I also walk Eclipse (black cat) on a leash and harness.

 

[catwoman707]

A properly fitting harness and a long handled leash attached with a strong clip hook on the end can be hooked onto a line, like a clothes line.

Center of the yard, up high so it doesn't even get noticed much, from the back of the house to the back of the yard but not all the way back due to the length of the lease.

Hook the leash on the line and will give kitty tons of freedom.

Use the plastic coated line for smooth sliding of the hook.

I did this for my Great Dane many years back when my yard was not fully fenced.

Works perfectly.

 

[javo2004]

Thank you all.

My cat is getting used to walk with the harness with me. He already knows that he can escape it, so I have to be careful and do not let him try.

I rather spend 1 (or more) hour walking him each day, than allow him to go godknowswhere only to get himself in trouble.

In the meantime, I ordered an "escape proof" harness that will be custom made for him.

I know he will meaw and make his angry face when we get back, so I also ordered this. If he doesnt like the enclosure... well, he can whine all he wants outside

$T2eC16FHJGoFFvz)YVo-BSPc)qkqQQ~~60_12.JPG

• javo2004
• Oct 24, 2015

 

[kellie roberts]

Very sorry to hear your having these issues with your cat.  I am sure it is nerve-wracking worrying about him escaping.

I hope out of all the great suggestions one or two might work.  As far as harnesses, I purchased ours from Hyendry as she started the hand-made harnesses originally for Bengals and Savannahs.  They fit very nicely and snug with heavy duty velcro around the neck and torso.  They also have the matching leashes (up to 10 feet long), that as you can see from the picture, have a very heavy duty clasp on them.  I even ordered the double d-rings on both our boys' harnesses.  Many styles and colors to choose from.  Although not the cheapest, they are very nicely constructed and allow both our boys to enjoy the outdoors without fear of escaping.

IMG_4564.JPG

• kellie roberts
• Oct 24, 2015

 

[Anne]

Sorry to interrupt, but I've noticed some great products mentioned here, so added them to our Reviews section. It would be very helpful for other cat owners if you could review them there - 

 [product="20536"]Hyendry Cat Walking Jackets Harnesses​[/product]  

Reviews only take a couple of minutes to complete and are the best way to make sure your opinion of a product helps cat owners in the future. We also have a $30 Amazon card giveaway once a month, given at random to one review.

 

[evamilly]

If your cat is that desperate to go out, I would let him go in the garden- he is escaping from you any way. Try getting him into a routine, I would let him in the garden in the morning before his breakfast - he will then come back for food fairly quickly! If you let him out after eating he will be out for a long time. Again in the evening - let him out before dinner so that he doesn't go for too long. Cats are not really babies although we like to treat them as if they are- they have good sense of hearing and smell and can manage well. Yes there are dangers outside but most cats in the UK do go in and out as they please. My cat was initially an indoor cat when I lived in a flat, we now live in a house with a garden, she goes in and out of her cat flap as she pleases (for 10 years- with no problem). Your cat is unlikely to eat the substance that made him I'll for a second time- as they avoid things that have previously made them unwell

 

[evamilly]

My cat is much happier now she can go outside

 

[rawlins02]

Where I live, outdoor cats tend to get eaten. So says the vet.