Can you make an outdoor cat an indoor one?

Hi, in a couple of months I'm moving into an apartment... and I have one indoor cat and 2 outdoor. Well I'm only considering taking one of the outdoor cats. One of them is fine with the indoor cat, but the other one isn't fine with any cat, so I would take the first said (plus 3 cats in one apartment sounds too much). Anyway, is it possible for a cat who has been outdoors all his life to get used to be indoor? Would he be able to learn to use the litter box?

He's very timid... will run away if anyone besides me approaches him. I might just take him to the shelter. I've had him for 6 years, but we don't really have an "affectional bond". I've had many many (like 6 or 7) outdoor cats, and all of them pretty much acted like strays. They didn't seem interested in attention, petting, etc... they would go and explore everywhere and come to the front porch for food. They look confused when I try to get them to play with toys. But if I do decide to take him, do you think it would be difficult for him to get used to an indoor situation?

Hi there,

It is possible to turn an outdoor cat into an indoor cat. When I moved to Paris my friends decided to take care of my cat since I didn't want him to live in an apartment in the city since he was used to outdoor life. But they decided (after he got injured once) that they should keep him indoors. He adapted quite well but still sits at the window with a longing look and tries to "escape" sometimes!! But he uses a litter tray no problem.

I think its a shame though to keep a cat indoors when its been used to roaming outside.

Do you have anyone who could take the cat and still let him outdoors??

I don't think that taking him to the shelter is the best idea, but you have to do what you think is best.

I adopted a cat that used to be an outdoor cat, but is now, thanks to me, an indoor cat only. However, the cat is not happy, he cries and cries and cries (day and night) to go out all the time. He is making our lives miserable and I am bringing him back to the shelter so he can find a new home where he will be able to be an outdoor cat as he wishes. So before you go ahead and adopt, think very carefully on it.


Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover

If theyve been outdoor cats all their lives, i'd try to find a home where they could stay outdoors. You can make a kitten be happy indoors but an adult who has been outside for years is much more difficult.

Cats are clean animals though and they will (for the most part) use the litterbox just fine, but im thinking of the mental stress they will endure.

Please dont take them to a shelter, you are throwing them in deaths direction if you do. The shelters are over flowing with cats, and a cat who isnt very responsive or doesnt know how to interact with humans doesn stand much of a chance at getting adopted

My rescued street cat is doing very well as indoors only? I guess you will never know until you try. I think once they are indoors all the time, they will become more socialized with playing and cuddling. I think it would be hard for an outdoor cat to be social with humans when possibly there are other humans trying to harm them. They don't know who to trust. What is going to happen to the one you are not taking?

Originally Posted by JB68711

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He's very timid... will run away if anyone besides me approaches him. I might just take him to the shelter. I've had him for 6 years, but we don't really have an "affectional bond". I've had many many (like 6 or 7) outdoor cats, and all of them pretty much acted like strays. They didn't seem interested in attention, petting, etc... they would go and explore everywhere and come to the front porch for food. They look confused when I try to get them to play with toys. But if I do decide to take him, do you think it would be difficult for him to get used to an indoor situation?

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I have had a lot of luck bringing adult ferals and outdoor cats in, but it may require some patience on your part as every cat is different on how fast and to what degree they settle down and accept people. A few of the cats weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve taken in went from antisocial to being lap cats and others became bonded but still liked attention only on their own terms, so I tried not to have any expectations when bringing them home.

I regards to your cat not playing with toys or seeming to have bonded with you, many of the outdoor cats I took in (feral or not) initially did not but showed improvement in time. My personal opinion is that neither trusting humans in general nor playing benefit the survival of an outdoor animal that needs to be concerned about their own safety at all times. An animal has to feel safe and comfortable to let their guard down to play, and if they are worried about predators or other dangers they would not engage in such activities.

And I do not want to sound harsh but I agree bringing your cat to a shelter would likely be a death sentence for him. When some shelters even have to euthanize kittens for space, an older adult that is incredibly shy and only trusts you is probably not going to fair well even if they do decide to put him up for adoption. It can be incredibly stressful for a shy cat to suddenly be put in a noisy environment full of strange people and barking dogs. If you decide not to take him with you would he be able to stay and be cared for with whomever is taking care of your other male, assuming they at least tolerated each other if they both were outdoors? Is there anyone else you know that takes good care of their outdoor cats that would agree to take care of him?