Cat DESPERATELY wants to go outside

We rescued a 3 year old cat from the street almost a year ago. The cat was microchipped and we found out he had 2 other owners before. He is the sweetest boy ever and we love him. My husband had his front paws declawed (not something i was in favor, but husband was firm about it). When we found the cat he was already fixed< although we were told that he may have been fixed later because his sack is pretty large.

Anyways, the cat was a content indoor kitty up until about 2 months ago or so when he started to DESPERATELY want to go outside. He runs outside every chance he gets. He  waits till someone opens the door to only run as fast as he can to get out.He yells and screams all day long and is restless and wants to go outside. Looks at the windows, doors and just drives me absolutely nuts with his screams. 

When he does escape he acts like a tiger who has been at the zoo all of his life: he rolls in the grass, chews on the grass, and seems so very happy overall. 

I have tried to put him in an enclosed puppy pen and put him outside but he doesn't seem content to be in an enclosure. He wants out of it and he wants to be outside of it and move around as he pleases. I also planted cat grass for him inside and while he chews on it and seems to like it, it did not help with the problem of wanting to go outside and yelling all day long like a crazy maniac. We have a 3 bedroom and 4 bath house and a garage that is closed and is available for the cats to go to any time (in fact their litter boxes are in the garage). So its not like we live in an apartment where there is no space for them. We have a good size cat tree in the garage too.

We have 2 cats. Both are rescues. But only this one is so crazy lately. The other one was rescued as a kitten, has always been indoors and has no issues and is a pretty content cat. 

We love this cat and we want him to stay with us and not get lost. As I said, he already had 2 previous owners and was abandoned by both. We don't want to abandon him. Also since he is declawed, it is simply not safe for him outside. But it has been 2 months and he is still restless and wants to go outside so badly! And his noises are driving me crazy.

Anything at all I can do??? Thank you!

I agree you should definately not let him out especially since he's declawed. However, maybe you can purchase a harness and leash to still allow him to get the fresh air and feel of the grass he loves so much. However, harness training isn't a short process. Most cats don't take to it. Mine acted like he couldn't walk with it on and dragged himself on the floor, and flopped onto the ground. I'd suggest putting it on for about 10 minutes each day and rewarding him with a treat. And then continue until he is more comfortable in it. Then, you can move on to taking him outside with a leash connected. Although, it isn't the same amount of freedom, he'd still be able to enjoy the outdoors safely. 

Many people think that leash training has to begin at kittenhood but that isn't the case. I started leash training my cat when he was around 15 months old so I think it's definately doable but requires a lot of patience. There are many types of harnesses for cats but many suggest an H-type harness which is the kind I use. And a disclaimer is to never let him go out with only a leash and collar. A harness is very important because you'll be surprised how easily a cat can break out of a collar and leash. 

A more expensive option can be an outdoor enclosure. 

I wish you the best of luck!

mariya said:

I agree you should definately not let him out especially since he's declawed. However, maybe you can purchase a harness and leash to still allow him to get the fresh air and feel of the grass he loves so much. However, harness training isn't a short process. Most cats don't take to it. Mine acted like he couldn't walk with it on and dragged himself on the floor, and flopped onto the ground. I'd suggest putting it on for about 10 minutes each day and rewarding him with a treat. And then continue until he is more comfortable in it. Then, you can move on to taking him outside with a leash connected. Although, it isn't the same amount of freedom, he'd still be able to enjoy the outdoors safely. 

Many people think that leash training has to begin at kittenhood but that isn't the case. I started leash training my cat when he was around 15 months old so I think it's definately doable but requires a lot of patience. There are many types of harnesses for cats but many suggest an H-type harness which is the kind I use. And a disclaimer is to never let him go out with only a leash and collar. A harness is very important because you'll be surprised how easily a cat can break out of a collar and leash. 

A more expensive option can be an outdoor enclosure. 

I wish you the best of luck!

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Good ideas. And we didn't start leash training one of our adopted cats (we got her when she was about 11) until she was about 12 years old, and she got the hang of it.

Do you have a way to run chicken fencing or deer fencing in a 10x15 area that you could put him in there and stay with him to allow him to roll on the grass? Its not hard to put up deer netting and you can also get one of those better body harnesses that they take to better-someone posted a link the other day and its like a life jacket for a cat so its easier to get them used to it. Definitely need a harness and make sure its not too big so he can't slide out of it. 

I personally let my cats out but I live in a safe area away from traffic and animals-I don't know what the area is like where you live-I also never recommend leaving them unattended. I started gardening so I could have an excuse to stay outside with them. In the summer I spend hours outside. I read under the tree or simply take pictures of them in the yard. I got lucky as mine don't roam. I also train them to stay in the yard by squirt of water if they venture too far or I scuff me feet loud which they hate. 

Nowadays with jerks around I don't recommend letting cats out to roam. Although I know some people have said cats can catch parasites but the dogs are allowed outside and they carry those same germs inside so I think that is hogwash. But there are mean nasty people now-its not like it used to be. If I were to start over with kitties I would build an enclosure so they would be safe from jerks. 

I am sad by rudeness that seems to abound the farther into the future we go. Trash on the sides of our lawns. disregard for us. The other thing I wanted to mention is if your neighbors have dogs that they don't control on a leash that could be a risk. I think its harder now to say yes they can go outside. So if I was you-look up that special harness for cats-its Velcro closure I believe. And make sure microchip info is up to date. 

I agree with Mariya with the leash and harness idea. We start ours out on leashes right away as kittens now but 15 years ago the first time we tried it with a year old male. At first he rolled around trying to get it off but as we continued training he got to be excited when he'd hear his harness rattle at the door.
When we take them out we walk them around the house and let them check everything out. I think it gets the roaming out of their system. Then usually I'll get a lawn chair out and just hang out with them. When they start walking away I get up and walk them again. After a while they start learning their boundaries and some of my cats even stop roaming entirely. I usually tie the leash to my lawn chair so I have quick access to untie them.
I always stay outside with them because you just never know what could happen. A harness is pretty dependable but I had one cat who knew how to escape. As soon as she had tension on the leash she'd back up and wiggle out. So I learned to never tie her leash to something.
Also a tip, some of my cats love an extra lawn chair so they can perch by you. It helps to stop the roaming [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Update

We got so sick and tired of Cooper's temper tantrums over wanting to go outside (he would get so mad, he would throw things around and break things on purpose) and yelling like a crazy maniac, so we decided to let him out and if he doesn't come back then...well he did not want to be with us then.

The good news is that we have discovered that he actually doesn't leave and doesn't venture out far from our house at all. He mostly stays around but just likes to be outside and sleep in the sun and hunt poor lizards (even if it is 100F outside) then laying around inside. He comes inside to eat and drink and to chill and sleep but then asks to go outside again. We have also discovered that he is sort of like a dog. Whenever me and my husband go to a nearby park or my husband goes on a job, he followed up all the way to the park and back (or jogs with my husband all the way and back - only he gets tired and requires to be picked up at some point). No leash or anything - he just wants to do it. People are quite amazed by a cat that follows his owners ))

I do still have 2 concerns: cars and the cat being very friendly and someone possibly wanting to take him. Plus we now have to deal with fleas. But otherwise i feel better that he never left us and still considers our house his home.

Here is him sleeping outside with our dog

I live in London close to a busy main road and let my cat out whenever he wants. Your cat really is not that far removed from his wild cousins (especially compared to dogs, yet taking them outside is deemed compulsory). Why do you think they still have their pricked ears, tabby markings and hunting is so important to them despite being fed regularly.

Of course he wants to go outside. Acting surprised is like being surprised that your child wants to go outside (I remember my parents would still question why I needed to go out to the shop or across the street to the park/common even at the age of 18, because why on earth would a kid need stimulation outside of four walls?) Would you have a child and lock them in the house 'to keep them safe'? Children are a damn sight more domesticated than cats but even they need to see a tree now and then.

1) Take your cat for walks on the leash
2) Learn good recall for your cat (my boy will be inside within 10-30 seconds of calling him)
3) Supervise the first few trios outside off the leash and tell your kitty where the boundaries are (my boy knows never to go to the front of the house where the street is)

He's 13 years old and does his business outside, and is inside for cuddles. Goldfish are a good option as a pet that never has to go outside so you don't have to worry about them.