My cat is obsessed with going outside

So I've had my cat for about 7 months now, spayed and vaccinated, and she's never made any problem until recently. She's been obsessed with going outside of the house to explore, and scratches at the front door and meows, and sometimes she even sits right at the door and slips between my legs when I'm walking into the house and I'd have to chase after her. I live in a condo so there isn't actually a backyard or something that I could let her explore in, so I don't know what to do about it.

I read online that I should give her a month or so and she'll forget about it, but I just feel bad. I know that cats love to explore and discover new areas, and if I were to be forbidden from going outside and stay stuck in a small house I'd go crazy. I also read about teaching my cat to walk on a leash and harness, but I'm not sure how that will go. Has anyone of you guys experienced anything like this, and do you recommend I try walking her outside? Also, keep in mind that I live in a city area, so there is barely any kind of park to walk around in. Would like to get any advice! Thanks

I had the exact same problem with my 1.5yr old neutered male he was always trying to slip out the door. It started when he was around 7-8 months and he never forgot about it.

I finally relented and got him a regular harness from the pet store but he was not having any of it I couldn't even get it on without him clawing me. I ended up getting a  mynwood jacket (http://www.mynwoodcatjackets.co.uk/) and it really worked out great. I basically just put it on him and plopped him outside. He was too distracted by all the new sights/smells to even notice the harness. Now whenever he sees me pull out the jacket he races to the door. He still tries to slip out sometimes but a lot less as he knows he has 'outside time' most days. 

I would definitely recommend a harness, but if that doesn't work out try to bring some outside in e.g. some cat friendly plants. 

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the response, it's definitely helpful I will need to look into buying her that kind of jacket soon enough. I also just wanted to ask, when you do take your kitty out, do you usually take him to open spaces or just anywhere? And for how long do you stay out at a time? I feel like with cats, they'd wanna stay out forever haha. And does he ever catch fleas or anything like that after being out? Sorry for lots of questions but I'd love to know these things!

I take him out a few times a week when the weather is good/when I'm not busy. Usually we stay out for 20-30 minutes, he does want to stay out forever but I have things to do! As the time is so short I don't think fleas will be a problem 

I do live in a suburban area so I keep him restricted to the garden. As you live in a city area I suggest you find somewhere quiet and just test it out. It really depends on the temperament of the cat. My boy is quite timid so walking him near cars/other people is not an option. He is also very stubborn about where he wants to go so basically its him leading me around the garden. Other cats will walk on a leash like a dog and are perfectly fine around people and noises so its down to your cats personality I guess 

I'm so happy I saw this thread! I have a 2 year old female cat named Gabby who recently started darting out the door every time she gets a chance, she doesn't run away, she just likes to lay on the sidewalk and roll around, when i make her come inside, she scratches at the door and screen and screams her head off, i am scared to let her stay outside even if I am with her, in fear of her getting spooked and running. I am so going to try this! I think she is going to love it.

Thanks for the info! I am going to go searching for cat harnesses in stores around here, but for the mean time, would it be okay if I get her a small dog harness? The store that I looked at only has dog harnesses, so would it matter?

I think the only thing with dog harnesses is they might not have a release mechanism should the worst happen and your cat run off with the harness then get stuck somewhere? Could be wrong though. Have you tried the internet? There are tons to choose from. My two kittens prefer a different type each. Dennis has the jacket velcro type whereas Squish prefers the thin strap harness Good luck with your walks. My kittens LOVE going out and they get super excited when I get out the harnesses now. The fresh air is also fantastic for tiring them out and giving them (and therefore us) a good nights sleep

Thank you for letting me know! I got a small dog harness today and it looks pretty much exactly like any other thin strap cat harness. I got her to sniff it and play with it once i got it so she can familiarize herself with it, and planning on taking her out soon! Hoping it goes well!!!

My cat is obsessed too, she keeps yowling.  We live in a town home with no real yard and lots of fast drivers, so I planted some rye grass in our little porch area.  Then, I ordered a cat tent from Amazon.  My cat is still getting used to it, so I'll put her in the tent for 5-10 minutes at a time.  She has to learn that if she wants to go out, this is her only option. 

So I finally took out Olive on the harness, it fit her perfectly. She was absolutely terrified, and kept meowing with that scared tone and crawling around. I just took her out for 15 minutes and I figured that's a normal response for the first time. She was so glad to walk back into the house. So I'll see if she still likes to go out or not, and I'll gradually get her used to the harness and going out.

Hi there,

Cats are natural hunters and feel trapped when kept inside. They need to go out to live a happy life. Be creative and figure out a way to let your lil feline get some fresh air. If you have a balcony, make it safe for her/him to go out on by blocking the slats with something. Walking is an option...not great, but better than nothing. 

Personally, I don't believe in de clawing a cat or keeping them in at all times. It is not natural for them. Its actually pure torture. So your cat isn't obsessed without doors, it just wants to live in its natural environment with a cozy home and food to return to when done playing outside. 

I hope all indoor cat owners will find away to allow their cats to get some outdoor time and fresh air.

Best of luck to all of the indoor kittys who are dying to GET OUTSIDE! I feel so bad for them.

Cats want to be outside, but if you live in a higher traffic area, or areas with raccoons and coyotes, and are concerned with safety, check this out - "catios!" You can build a little catio, an outdoor play pen. In Portland, we recently had a catio tour, and there is an album on the web site for the feral cat coalition catio tour 2014: http://feralcats.com/catio.html

I adopted my kitty when he was 11, and live on a busy corner. He had never been out, but I managed to train him to only exit the house into the alley, and stay over there. You can possibly do something like this just by being a nut, yelling, spraying water, etc whenever he goes where you don't want him to. I'm amazed at how many cats near our corner just hang in all the yards and alleys. No one ventures to the busy street. But maybe that is because they are all older.

I will be terrified when I get a young cat again (my kitty is ending his journey soon). I will probably build a catio and harness train!

teali said:

I had the exact same problem with my 1.5yr old neutered male he was always trying to slip out the door. It started when he was around 7-8 months and he never forgot about it.

I finally relented and got him a regular harness from the pet store but he was not having any of it I couldn't even get it on without him clawing me. I ended up getting a mynwood jacket (Mynwood Cat Jackets) and it really worked out great. I basically just put it on him and plopped him outside. He was too distracted by all the new sights/smells to even notice the harness. Now whenever he sees me pull out the jacket he races to the door. He still tries to slip out sometimes but a lot less as he knows he has 'outside time' most days.

I would definitely recommend a harness, but if that doesn't work out try to bring some outside in e.g. some cat friendly plants.

Hope this helps!

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Thisssss is awesome thank you!!

brook said:

Hi there,

Cats are natural hunters and feel trapped when kept inside. They need to go out to live a happy life. Be creative and figure out a way to let your lil feline get some fresh air. If you have a balcony, make it safe for her/him to go out on by blocking the slats with something. Walking is an option...not great, but better than nothing.

Personally, I don't believe in de clawing a cat or keeping them in at all times. It is not natural for them. Its actually pure torture. So your cat isn't obsessed without doors, it just wants to live in its natural environment with a cozy home and food to return to when done playing outside.

I hope all indoor cat owners will find away to allow their cats to get some outdoor time and fresh air.

Best of luck to all of the indoor kittys who are dying to GET OUTSIDE! I feel so bad for them.

Click to expand...

I probably would let my cats outside, since they're 100% indoor, but when they get out on the porch and the door closes, they panic and want back inside immediately. I seem to have the opposite problem from the OP.

I wonder if they'd even go out on a catio. Maybe I can borrow one of those tent-like screen houses from a friend to check out that possibility. Anybody else have the same problem and tried this to test if a catio would work?