I want to keep them in

:x
I am so tired of Mittens catching little critters outside. I would like to make Socks and Mittens indoor cats (poor Socks, she just sticks close to home and doesn't catch things).

They are both 8 years old so it is hard for me to keep them in at this age. They are so used to going out. I'd like to try it but not feel guilty about it.

Do you think it will be too hard on them to start keeping them inside? I wish I had started keeping them in when they were kittens. Too late now.

I know a lot of you have indoor cats. What do you do when they want to go out and want to chew on grass, and want to lie near you while you are sitting on the patio, etc.?

If I do this, it is going to be soooo hard!!

 

It's too late. Once they have a taste for the outdoors and their first kill, they have this need to go outdoors when they want and will be happier if they get let out. Milo is this way. We let him out when he was young and he's not happy unless we let him outdoors for a couple of hours a day. It's also genetic. Some cats have this need to go outdoors and hunt. Rene, Monty, and Pumpkin are happy to be indoors only. Give them a sunroom and they couldn't care less about the outdoors. Milo used to bring critters home. Now he just leaves them at the edge of our property. :shock: I'm tired of finding little surprises too. :mrgreen: Do you think it'll be possible harness train Socks and Mittens?

 

a lot of the cats Siamese Rescue takes in were once outside cats and they adjust fine. My first foster for them, Tony, was outside (stray Tom) and he seemed to be happy being inside.
Lots of toys....cat tree for them to climb on and look outside. Get a harness/leash and take them outside once a day so they can still get outside. perhaps buy some cat grass they can gnaw on..the kind you grow inside.
If you go outside to enjoy your patio take them out on their leash or perhaps set up a kitty run they can be in yet not killing things.
I'll find the website that has tons of info about turning out/in cats into inside only. You know another advantage is you don't have to get them so many vaccines cause they aren't being exposed.

 

forgot to mention years ago I had a cat with CRF I had to turn to inside only...took awhile but she got over not going out
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Poin ... wners.html

 

Chester & Lizzy were both indoor/outdoor cats for years. Then we moved in town and they adjusted just fine to being inside. They were a lot safer too.

-Chelle

 

As someone else suggested you could try a harness on them. None of mine seem to mind staying inside only except for Tiddy. I take him outside on a harness occasionally.

 

Your suggestions are all good. Thanks for the link Mary...it was very helpful. Some of the links gave me ideas and helped reasure me that it can be done.

I haven't let them out since I posted the topic but Mittens wanted to go out really bad this morning. I was strong and ignored her. I gave her extra attention and pettings. I do give them both a lot of love.

I'm going to look into Kitty Condos today and maybe get one of the bigger ones. We'll see. I've also thought about an inclosure out back next to the patio but I don't know if that will work. I'll have to check into what's out there. Afraid when I try to take Mittens out of it she'll get loose and take off.
She can be pretty quick.

It is encouraging to hear your stories of how it worked with your kitties.

 

Although I consider Booger an inside cat, I do let her out on the porch on a leash. She's perfectly happy to lay at the top of the stairs (as far as she can reach with the leash) and watch the birds and such. She especially enjoys sunset and sunrise time. They're her favorite. A leash may be a good comprimise for your baby and your guilt.

I tried a harness but Booger would just hunker down low to the floor and wouldn't stand up. I clipped a leash to her collar and she was fine. It took her about a week to figure out how to step around/over the cord but she still occasionally gets tangled up around objects on the porch. She has gotten better about that too though.

 

I think it will take time, but they will adjust. I think all the advice listed here could be quite helpful.

My cats practically live on their condos and scratch them up pretty good. Maybe a condo and some cat grass are a good way to start.

If this is something you really want to do, stay strong... they'll be ok. (But I do understand how difficult it would be to keep them in when they're used to being out all the time).

 

I put a bid on a Kitty Condo on ebay yesterday and won it. Can't wait to get it and see if my kitties like it. I'll try to get a picture of it once it is set up to show you.

Mittens did escape out the back door when my husband came in after grilling yesterday. We couldn't grab her but she didn't stay out too long.

One of the links on Mary's response suggested letting them out a for only a short time each day and gradually have them stay inside more each day. I may try that. Maybe I'll only let them out for a short time in the afternoon. Mittens has been wanting out all this morning. It is upsetting.

 

I can't wait to see the condo! I don't know of any kitty that doesn't automatically love them.