how can I keep my cat indoors?

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hageman_hi

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I have a 3yr old male, neutered, front declawed cat that has been an indoor only cat BUT he spends his entire day (ok exagerating) trying to get outdoors, and frequently succeeds. We are very careful but he still manages to get out. We recently moved to a new home (febuary) and this behavior has only increased and he is now outside at least once a week. He learned how to open our front door so now we have to keep it locked at all times. He now figured out how to crawl through a floor vent to get into the vent system which opens into the laundry room wall which he can then get into the garage and climb through a hole in the garage wall, so we blocked the hole and keep something on the vent. If its not one way or the other. He waits til we let the dogs out the back sliding door then bolts outside with them. He waits til someone pulls up in the driveway then bolts out the front door as soon as it opens. We have tried many things ie- making a loud noise to startle him when he attempts to escape which he ignores; that cat scat spray, citrus juice, vinegar, etc...near and on the door that is suppose to make cats not want to go near it but he doest seem to mind; last winter we threw him in the snow when he ran outdoors and what did he do? layed down and rolled in it! He used to only go 10 or so feet then lay down and roll around so we could catch him but now he bolts so we have no way of catching him once he is out. We have sprayed him with water when he runs at the door and he ignores it or when he is outside (even with the hose!) to get him to go back in and it doesnt work. We have tried a lot more, everythign and anything that has been suggested or we can think of! He has had neighbor dogs chase him and it doesnt seem to keep him from wanting to go back outside. This last time he was out we had to leave town for a few days and he was outside for 4 days (and it rained the whole time!) before he came back. He comes right back to our front door and meows to get inside when he desided he wants an easy meal and somewhere warm to sleep. Our neighborhood is not safe, there are a lot of stray dogs and cats that will hurt or kill him if they catch him, a few highways in the area, people shoot stray pets with beebee guns for god sake! This needs to stop before something horrible happens and I'm at my wits end. What can I do?
Meagan
 
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4crazycats

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Originally Posted by hageman_hi

I have a 3yr old male, neutered, front declawed cat that has been an indoor only cat BUT he spends his entire day (ok exagerating) trying to get outdoors, and frequently succeeds. We are very careful but he still manages to get out. We recently moved to a new home (febuary) and this behavior has only increased and he is now outside at least once a week. He learned how to open our front door so now we have to keep it locked at all times. He now figured out how to crawl through a floor vent to get into the vent system which opens into the laundry room wall which he can then get into the garage and climb through a hole in the garage wall, so we blocked the hole and keep something on the vent. If its not one way or the other. He waits til we let the dogs out the back sliding door then bolts outside with them. He waits til someone pulls up in the driveway then bolts out the front door as soon as it opens. We have tried many things ie- making a loud noise to startle him when he attempts to escape which he ignores; that cat scat spray, citrus juice, vinegar, etc...near and on the door that is suppose to make cats not want to go near it but he doest seem to mind; last winter we threw him in the snow when he ran outdoors and what did he do? layed down and rolled in it! He used to only go 10 or so feet then lay down and roll around so we could catch him but now he bolts so we have no way of catching him once he is out. We have sprayed him with water when he runs at the door and he ignores it or when he is outside (even with the hose!) to get him to go back in and it doesnt work. We have tried a lot more, everythign and anything that has been suggested or we can think of! He has had neighbor dogs chase him and it doesnt seem to keep him from wanting to go back outside. This last time he was out we had to leave town for a few days and he was outside for 4 days (and it rained the whole time!) before he came back. He comes right back to our front door and meows to get inside when he desided he wants an easy meal and somewhere warm to sleep. Our neighborhood is not safe, there are a lot of stray dogs and cats that will hurt or kill him if they catch him, a few highways in the area, people shoot stray pets with beebee guns for god sake! This needs to stop before something horrible happens and I'm at my wits end. What can I do?
Meagan
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My Bagheera is the same way. His problem is he thinks he's one of my dogs and thinks he can just stroll out the door with them when they go out to potty. The farthest he's made it so far is to the front steps. He doesnt have enough sence to run like most cats do. He just walks calmly out and acts like he's supposed to be out there. I just grab him and bring him right back in. But one of my old cats Sweetie Pie (16 when she died) used to be indoor/outdoor cat until I moved out of my parents house when she was 14 and brought her with me to my rental. I didnt like having my cats goig outside so I kept her inside. But the first year was horrible she was always trying to run out. I must have looked crazy running around in my PJ's screaming come here Sweetie. SWEETIE, SWEETIE PIE! I would just get her cornered and then she would walk up to me acting like she hadnt led me on a merry chase around the yard. LOL But anyways she eventually stopped trying to get out. Just make inside a very fun place for him to be. Lots of toys. Switch the toys around. I have tons of toys and keep them in rotation because they get tired of them eventually. So I just keep swtiching which toys are out about every other week. I dont have any other advice other then be very careful. But I'm sure you already are. They are just sneaky little buggers.
 
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tru

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I recommend harness training and taking him out regularly for play time and walks. Once he is used to a harness and knows he will get regular outside time with you, that should end his forever trying to partake of the forbidden fruit on his own.

I've used a harness on several of my cats and although they may at first express their distaste at such an indignity, they quickly learn that getting their harness and a lead clicked on will get them something they really enjoy and will willingly stand still for it and wait for you at the door.

Good luck with your wild child.
 
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persi & alley

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This will not answer all of your problem but we have a door that goes from the kitchen to the garage and Persi used to hear us come home and go by that door and as soon as it opened head like a streak into the garage and make it under the garage door before it closed. Last week, I stayed in the car while my wife opened the kitchen door, out came Persi and I just laid on the car horn. He turned in his tracks and headed back into the house and this has never been a problem since! Perhaps you can modify this in a way to help you with your problem.
 
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saralou

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I have a burmese cat that has only been outside once to go to the vet. I keep other animals so he keeps his mind occuppied and I keep his toys, food, water and his toilet in one room upstairs and that acts as his territory. he has his own window and places to hide that he isnt disturbed.

If I go out he's put in the room and seems happy enough. He's not allowed in the kitchen or downstairs if someone comes around.

It may sound drastic, but my other cat was killed on the road and broke my heart
 
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hageman_hi

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I considered keeping him in one room but it would have to be the bedroom because our house is such an open floor plan that there are no doors between the living room in the basement, the open stairway, the living roomupstairs, the dining room, and the kitchen....all open. And because of my allergies we really try to keep the cats OUT of the bedroom so theres not much else to do with them! Someone said they make INDOOR pet fences like the outdoor ones used on dogs but they are for cats...i had a guy selling them at a house and garden show at the convention center, but since then i havnt been able to find any information. He said he can run it under the flooring or under the lip of countertops and it keeps them off counters or out of certain rooms. I didnt consider it at the time because it was so expensive but now I'm starting to think it doesnt sound like a bad idea. Has anyone heard of this or used one?
Meagan
 
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hageman_hi

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Out again last night and all day today. Good thing I've been lucky and he comes back at night when I call. the guy down the block lets his choc. lab run the neighborhood around 10-11pm each night and that thing I've seen chase cats up trees and catch and kill squirels so I dont want him outside at all, but especially not then. This time he went out again when we let the dogs outside. He threw up part of a bird tonight once he got inside...on my white carpet. I can't imagine the icks and bugs and parisites he's bringing into my house as well as into himself!
Meagan
 
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