Are your cats inside or outside cats?

I am at my wits end with my cats! We had one cat that was hit by a car a couple years ago and since then I've been afraid to let them out but all these cats do is cause trouble in the house.... They poked holes in my daughter jumpolene this morning, they steal everything off the counter, they steal my jewelry, they eat the rubber pieces from the babies bottles, they shred any paper they find.. Not to mention that the litter box is disgusting! I think they just need to be able to go outside and play I guess...
We live in a wooded area, but how do you train them to stay close and to not wander into the road?

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

Unless they are feral(wild), cats should not be allowed to go outside. It is too dangerous.

You need to "cat" proof the house so they can't destroy things.

Purchase lots of cat nip and cat toys for them. Go to the local store and get some big boxes. Cats love to play in them. Change their toys and sleeping towels every few days( cats like change and get bored easlily).

Please keep them inside.

BTW- are they fixed??

Message edited 1/9/2007 12:31:01 PM.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

My cats are indoor cats- have been their whole lives.

I used a water gun to keep them off the counter- now they stay off (at least when I'm not around they do).

Please don't allow them outside- it will truly open them to a world of harm (fights with other animals, disease, getting lost). Cat's are domesticated and don't need to "play outside." You need to provide them with toys that are interesting and fun for them. Catnip is always enjoyable.

As for the litterbox being disgusting- thats YOUR fault, not theirs......

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

Our five cats are indoor cats for many reasons - like the possibility of them being hit by a car or some jerk mistreating them. There are way too many bad things that can happen to your pets outdoors.

That said, the cats do need to be "trained" (as much as you can train a cat). Don't leave your jewelry - or in my case - hair clips where they can get at them. We use a squirt gun to keep them off counters.

We also clean the cat boxes at least once - sometimes twice - a day. Cats aren't normally dirty creatures.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

I have two indoor cats but I do let them out on our deck when we're out on it with them. Yes, they like to try to wander a bit further into the garden, but one yell and they run back into the house like lightening. Because they go ouside, they get all their shots, but I would never let them outside unsupervised.

One of my cats is much more playful and loves string toys so I keep him busy with a ball of wool. The other one loves catnip and a small bit sewn into a toy can keep him going for weeks. They do play with one another, chasing and rolling around.

I keep two litter trays and sift them every day. I change the litter in both once a week. This works really well for us and most people don't even think we have cats in the house (they are scaredy-cats so they hide when anyone comes to the door).

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

My cat is indoors only - he has snuck out once or twice though. Usually, he gets so frightened once he's outside, he just meows at the door.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

I have 2 indoor cats and 1 of them likes to go in the yard (fenced). But only when I am home. And when he doesn't want to come in, I get Casey to corral him in!!

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

I have two indoor cats also, I would go crazy if I didnt know where they were.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

An indoor cat..we only let her outside if we watch her.

My (late) childhood cat was half and half..she was a stray that adopted us and preferred to be outdoors during the summer.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

i have 2 indoor cats... i prefer that they live longer than the outdoor cat life span (5 years).

the cats are tearing up your house b/c they need attention. give them some more toys, and make sure to play with them and cuddle them. and clean out their litter boxes as they are seeking attention. cats, popular to contray belief, need care, they just dont take care of themselves.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

we have 2 inside cats. Unfortunately you just have to learn to train them, so to speak. We used a water bottle a lot in the beginning so that they wouldn't jump on the countertops, eat the plants, or anything else we didn't like. This method does work, but you have to do it religiously in the beginning.

As for the litter... we clean it 2 times a day. Once in the morning and once at night. Some might ask why so much... but think about it... would you want to do your business in a box filled with poop??? I wouldn't. So we just try to keep it clean for them as much as possible.

As for keeping them close if you let them outside... there's no way to do that. Cats wander. That's just the way it is. You can't train them to stay in the yard. Sorry.

Message edited 1/10/2007 8:54:46 AM.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

We have 3 indoors only....

And ya know ours do all those things too, but I didnt even think about it till now. Its just THEM and a part of having cats. Sure I get annoyed at them sometimes, but love them enough to not care too much.

I would never take an indoor cat and allow it to become outdoor. It cant understand how to protect itself, its not used to that envirnoment. It can get sick and its just a bad idea.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

Chloe stays inside...she is an upper east sider so not choice in the matter. But sits on the windowsill and watches the birds and people on the street all day long.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

Im so glad I came across this thread. I *JUST* took a little water in my hands and "sprinkled" Simba because he was up on my stove. I was upset/mad, but now I feel guilty...He has to learn.
Sorry, I went off topic. Simba is an indoor cat and has never (knock on wood) tried to get out, thank goodness. I get upset with him, but, don't know what I'd do without him. My parents have 2 cats that stay outside, but can get back in when they want. I went there yesterday and the 2 of them were "sunning" themselves in the garden. They never leave the property, but, I don't want to chance that with Simba.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

My cat is an indoor cat, I wouldn't dream of letting him outside. I'm too afraid something would happen to him. He ventured out on the porch once without my knowledge and didn't move, he was too scared!

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

I have 4 indoor cats.

All I can say is you have to train them to not do those things, with spray bottles, bitter apple and those pads to keep them off the counter:

Scat Mat

That mat works like a charm to keep them off the counters.

I honestly wouldn't let the cats outdoors, either. They don't really know how to defend themselves and its not worth the fleas/diseases they can get and bring into your house.

Re: Are your cats inside or outside cats?

My MIL has 2 indoor cats. A few years ago, a mother cat gave birth outside her house and she humanely caught them kittens and had them spayed/neutered and returned (they were all too wild to tame). I believe there were 4 in all. Within 2 years, 3 were dead (2 hit by a car and 1 she found dead down the block), and 1 went missing -- she has no idea what happened to him. Her vet told her that most outdoor cats will die within 2 years. Please do not let your cats outdoors!