running away problem with new cat

Hi guys I am new here I was looking on Google for a solution to my problem with my new cat and found this and figured you guys might be able to help.

The Low Down

My Girlfriend called me one night and said her neighbors had moved a few days ago and left there cat. Nobody in the neighborhood wanted the poor thing because they did not want a cat or did not like the idea that he was has only one eye (you donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t notice it after a few days) and she said she could not take it in and asked if I would want to take him in.

So I take him and he is a really good cat for the most part he is about 1 or 2 years old I think still very active but here is my problem.

I live with 3 other house mates and they donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t always remember to keep an eye out for the cat and will leave the door open for a second and he is GONE. In the last 2 months he has got out about 5 times and once he is out he bolts and is hard to track him down. I am looking for a way to stop this behavior if he keeps it up I am going to have to keep him in my room and I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t really want to do this as he will be board all day.

So if you guys can offer some ideas on how to stop him from running that would be great the only thing I found sort of works is a spray bottle of water but my house mates have tormented him with it so I have had stoped using it now. I need a new idea.


Thanks guys

Bummer for this kitty to have to put up with roomates that torment him. Could be why he wants to escape so much. Spraying water is such a bad idea to stop a cat from doing what nature is telling him to do. Is he neutered?

Is there anyway you can put up a cat proof fence outside and just let him be outside and stay safe? Something like the Purr....fect Fence?

Originally Posted by hissy

Bummer for this kitty to have to put up with roomates that torment him. Could be why he wants to escape so much. Spraying water is such a bad idea to stop a cat from doing what nature is telling him to do. Is he neutered?

Is there anyway you can put up a cat proof fence outside and just let him be outside and stay safe? Something like the Purr....fect Fence?

Click to expand...

Good idea, Hissy...I concur with both your statement about his roommates' being mean to kitty being the possible reason kitty wants out, and the idea about the catproof fence.

Hi guys

I should have mentioned this before hand I only used the water bottle for a week or so I got it to try and stop him from going near the door we used it for a week and then I found him wet laying on my bed so I spoke to my room mates and hid the bottle from them, because they were being A-holes

and yes he is neutered.

as for the fence that is a no go this is a rental and my house mates wont like the fence.

I have tried taking him out for walks to the mail box on leash and harness but then though this might encourage him to go outside more.

Thanks for the ideas please keep them comming I am a total newbie with cats.

-Chris

Chris if he walks on the harness and lead I would just keep walking him daily. If you are in an area where he can't be out of doors and stay safe (near a busy street or whatever) then taking him out will satisfy his need to be out.

When they have lived a large portion of their life outside, they have a hard time adjusting. if you lived by yourself and didn't have to worry about tormenting roomates, it would be one thing to acclimate him to just being an indoor cat. But add in guys who think it great fun to torment a cat, and you have a recipe for disaster- because they probably just resent him. If he can live outside in another building even, and come indoors at night with you, maybe that would work out best for him.

well the tormenting is over I told them right off he has had a rough life and does not need that kind of thing. He will walk on a leash as long as I let him do his own thing (takes about 20 mins to guide him to the mail box LOL)

-Chris

Are you sure that your roommates aren't doing other things to torment him when you're not around? Not just with the water bottle. That could certainly be one reason he's trying to get out all the time.

They do sound like A-holes - pity you can't move out, either! Poor baby it makes me nervous thinking about him there with people who will frighten and harass him...

i have the same problem with my two kittens ... this may or may not work for you. my bf came up with the idea to nail two pieces of plywood together and put it right by the door so there is a little rectangle that the door opens into. Now, it's not like the kittens can't jump over the plywood, but it slows them down and makes them think. So if you're quick enough opening and closing the door, you can get in and out without having the cats run away.