Can Not Keep Cat In

[mindy10]

Hi everyone,  I have  had a cat now for 4 years.  She has always been a outdoor cat but now she stays out forever!!  Sometimes she is gone for 24 hours.  I think it is taking a toll on her health because she is so skinny now.  She comes home to eat and then runs right back out.  I'm trying to keep her in for a few weeks to get her to gain some weight back but she screams at the doors and windows.  She is a female and is fixed.  I got her at 2 so she might of been a feral Im not sure.  They didn't tell us much at the human society about her.  Any suggestions.  Also any suggestions on how to put weight on her.  I give her wellness and it has 32% crude fat in it.  Thanks Mindy

 

[catspaw66]

Since she has been going out for 4 years, it is going to be hard to keep her in.  Is there any way you can build a cat enclosure? One that would let her be outside during the day and inside at night?

She probably needs to be wormed thoroughly. That would help putting weight on.

 

[callista]

Yes, treat for worms and fleas, and get her a thorough vet check. Whatever's going on outside is probably not good for her. She may be catching and re-catching fleas, and from the fleas, worms, and simply be staying sick that way. She could be catching something from local stray cats. She could be exposed to a pesticide a neighbor is using on their grass--she walks through the grass, licks her paws, and it makes her nauseated, so she can't eat as much as she needs.

Keep her inside 24/7 and ignore her attempts to get outside. Simultaneously, give her lots of interesting things to do inside: Toys, games, puzzles, interacting with you. A nice, broad window perch with a bird feeder outside can be very interesting to many cats. If she likes other cats, she might also like a companion, but don't adopt another cat unless you are absolutely sure she is healthy.