How do you keep an indoor cat from sneaking outside?

We have basically stopped going in and out the front door. I freak out every time the doorbell rings and I have to answer. If we have people here, I put them in a room when the people are coming and going, and make sure they know not to go out without telling me so I can round them up. We come in through the garage and close the garage door before opening the house door. Our male cat is very determined to get into the garage, and we don't want him out there, due to the fact there could be antifreeze or other stuff on the floor from our 2 old cars. He's gotten out there past us twice. Once we didn't even see him!

I'm just very worried that it would only take one slip up and they (especially him) would be gone.

What do you all do to make sure you're cats don't get out??

You have a true concern there and many owners have this problem at one time or another.

I'm assuming that these are new cats that you have gotten, as most cats who are indoor only learn to adapt to it over time. To speed things up though you can try a few tricks, while keeping up the cautionary measurers you have surrounding the door. What this involves is some behaviour modifactions, teaching them that a behaviour you don't like that they do has a negative consequence. Now I don't know where you live, but if it is in a cold environment, it could be as easy as taken them just outside the door on a snow or rainy day. One second in bad weather and I guarantee you they would not want to go out again. Another thing you can do is instead of making outside be unappealing you can make the door be unappealing. When they are by the door make a loud sound (i.e. drop a heavy book, pop a balloon), or squirt them with a watergun if they don't like getting wet. I would do the same for the garage. Make him get frightened if he goes in there. The novelty will soon wear off and he will associate the place with the bad experience and not want to go back.

I tell people to keep a bag of tricks by the door. Hang a hook near the door and get a big ol tote bag. Fill it with all sorts of toys (catnip in nature). Prior to you going out- take about 3 toys from the bag and toss it towards your cat- behind him. When he turns to chase the toys, then make your exit.

Or park your vaccum in front of the door, turned on, but unplugged. When he dashes for the door, plug the machine in just for a few seconds and then unplug

You can also hang those strong scented citrus air fresheners low on the doorknobs, the smell will keep him away. You will have to change them out ever week, as they are only used for cars and trucks.

Ah we have the same problem... she tries to get out into the stairwell and then, all someone has to do is open the door and she's free! It's quite a sight when we order pizza as I have to hold the cat and take the pizzas and the pop or whatever and sign. I feel like a juggler. This is one solution though, just hold the cat that tries to escape when you answer the door. You can try hissing when they try to get past you as you come in or go out. I always put my foot in the door as a blockade when I come in (obviously I don't shove her or kick her with my foot).

I have considered, however, buying a baby gate and putting it over the front door. this way, she would have to jump up over it and it would be much more dificult to sneak out. This would be a serious pain in the rear, though, but you could consider it, as you can't even go out the front door!

Thanks to everyone for the all the good advice. Yes, they're new cats, we got them mid December. The first time Swanie got into the garage, we didn't even see him sneak past us, and we were being very careful. He scared himself a bit I guess because he was meowing right away to get back in. That hasn't stopped him from wanting to get out there again though, he's an adventurous little dude. They've also both been outside. We got them from a shelter and they were found on the streets. I don't know if they had good or bad experiences. She doesn't seem too interested in going anywhere, fortunately.

I'll have to get the bag of tricks thing going. It was great fun trying to get the groceries in the house today

When my mom was alive she had lots of cats and they were only indoor cats and what she did there for a while in the training them was she got a scat mat i think that it was from a pet store. And they gave them a litttle shock like static electricity and they work for her and training them with the doors and the new dining room set.

Originally Posted by katie7897

the training them was she got a scat mat i think that it was from a pet store. And they gave them a litttle shock like static electricity and they work for her and training them with the doors and the new dining room set.

Click to expand...

Wouldn't this fall under "negative" training?
I remember someone post about an accident with the scat mat. She put the wrong voltage and poor kitty!

Festie kept trying to sneak through doors when she was younger...she still loves to "sneak" into the closet or the storage room to explore. Do you have a room that is off-limits to the kitties, for them to "sneak" into occasionally? I think it adds a little bit of adventure to an inside kitty's life.

Best of luck in keeping them inside..they are spayed and neutered, right?

I wish I could help but I have been really lucky Mischka was the only kitty that went outside, after loosing my Pepper baby (she was about 9mos) which I think was my neighbor! I started making Mischka and Linxy only go out on a harness for awhile. Then never again. I got an enclosure! Sundance and now Pandi girl have never been outside. Except on my patio enclosure. They (paws crossed) show no interest to go out the front door, but if the kitty door is closed ...boy do i hear it! Best of luck

i have two female cats that used to be able to go out side but now we keep them inside but my cat graycee trys to get out side when she does she run away and doesnt comeback like all day my other cat is corlee

This is one of the reasons why my 3 cats all have bells on their collars. Rusty is always trying to sneak out. His usual modus operandi is try to sneak out with our two dogs by hiding under or between them when the dogs are let outside in the yard. However, his bell is a dead give-away so I can grab him before I open the door.