Cat Lovers: Turning indoor/outdoor cats into indoor-only cats :(

[Voice for Peace]

Please, I don't want a debate about indoor vs outdoor. I was firmly committed, until yesterday, to letting my cats outdoors during daylight hours. Even though I worried about them when they were outdoors, I know they never went far; there are few cars in my neighborhood and they drive very slowly; there are woods out back and around us.

I will welcome supportive words from DUers. I've recently decided that my 3 cats have to stay inside from now on, free to roam no more. This makes me sad, for them.

Ultimately it's a nobrainer. Even though they've got all their outdoor shots & vaccinations, and flea/tick protection, they've been bringing deer ticks into the house and I'm getting bitten, maybe have contracted Lyme. I've been going insane for a couple of weeks, finding ticks in the house and on me, seeing ticks in every speck in the house, imagining things crawling on me, on-and-on. So it's finally a choice between my own health and sanity, or letting them be outside in nature.

Because there are also coyotes in our area I'm breathing a sigh of relief overall. I feel like I can cuddle the cats again without fear that ticks are crawling onto me. The deer ticks are so tiny, even though I was checking the cats and myself carefully, it's so easy to miss them. I've been bitten at least four times, and likely more.

But: and I hope some can understand this, I'm feeling some grief for them. So I'm posting just to ask for supportive encouragement. Reassurance that the cats will be fine psychologically & emotionally (I know they'll be fine physically.)

I know I'll have to deal with some pitiful crying, cold shoulders and occasional evil eye. The old female (about 12) was once an indoor/outdoor; then indoor only for a few years before I got her. The two young ones (both under a year) have only been going outdoors since March.

Thanks for reading and your input will be most welcome.
Again, please.. I'm not interested in being lectured or having debates.

[suninvited]

1. It is difficult to do

and they will never forget outside. Be prepared to stop some sneak escapes !! Good luck with it.

[Voice for Peace]

9. :( well maybe they can go outside in their catnap dreamland.

[HopeHoops]

2. I had one for 15 years that went back and forth for a while.

He was mostly confined to indoors for a few years because of places I lived, but he was originally an indoor-outdoor. He was an escape artist. At one point, he pushed aside the board next to the AC in the window and somehow made it down about a 15' drop without getting hurt. I figure he ran down the side and launched himself forward.

Fortunately, he spent about the last 9 years of his life in a quiet court where he could come and go as he pleased. We had a few scares when he would disappear for a few days. I figure someone took him in as a stray (even though he had a collar) and he waited for the right moment to escape.

Growing some cat grass helps. They like that and it eases the transition. Just get a packet of seeds - not a pre-grown plant. Use a wide dish with good drainage. Do NOT grow catnip this way or you will regret it (personal experience)!

[Voice for Peace]

7. Good suggestion on the cat grass, I've done that before and know they like it.

Also -- I know, at least, if they manage to escape they'll be able to find their way home, since they've all gotten to know the neighborhood. Many thanks for your response.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Although the lounge is cat central, you may want to x-post in the Pets forum

They're hard core.:D

All I know is that the cats will whine and carry on for a while about it. The best offense is to make sure that they have plenty of distractions indoors to keep them from getting bored -- a good climbing structure with plenty of toys should help.

[Voice for Peace]

5. thanks for the suggestion to cross-post, I'll do that.

oops.. I can't find a pets forum!

[Gormy Cuss]

11. It's a DU Group

under Personal Interests, I think.
Try this link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

[Voice for Peace]

12. thanks! found it.

[Bertha Venation]

4. Peace . . .

I understand completely. We have eleven cats, live on an acre surrounded by woods, slow cars, the whole nine. We have ticks, too. If I could keep them all in, I would, but it's just not possible. It would drive us more insane than letting them out and having ticks in the house does.

I believe that you are doing the right thing for your sanity. Try not to feel guilty. And especially try not to take on your cats' imagined grief. I am afflicted horribly with the need to anthropomorphize, and I fight against it every day. Don't do it!

Just have these, if you can: 1. at least two, preferably three, cat boxes, and keep them clean; 2. perhaps a nice big cat tree, or some furniture they can call their own; 3. treats every now and then; and 4. catnip.

They will be fine. Trust me. Good luck.

:hug:

[Voice for Peace]

6. Many thanks

You are exactly right that I'm projecting, it's hard not to do that. Thanks for your kind words.

[graywarrior]

8. Took my Kamere 2 weeks to get over being outside

Now when I open the door he runs and hides.

[hamsterjill]

10. Keep them interested in the indoors

I inherited one kitty years ago who was used to being outdoors. This guy had been indoor/outdoor and it did take a while for him to become comfortable as indoor only.

I am fortunate enough now to have constructed a cat enclosure leading off a room, so mine have access to both indoors and outdoors, but cannot go beyond the enclosed area. An enclosure doesn't sound like it would be much help to you, however, with the tick problem.

Yes, do expect escape attempts, but be consistent in not allowing them outside and eventually, they will learn the new boundaries. A bird feeder near a window can provide a lot of entertainment as can scratching posts cat trees, etc.

I wish you good luck and I thank you for caring enough about these guys to modify your situation to keep them safer.

[Voice for Peace]

13. thank you.

honestly, I feel like I'm doing it to keep myself safer, not them. There's a very high incidence of Lyme in this area, and people get reinfected all the time. But I know overall they'll be safer too; I just hope they won't be sorrowful.

[applegrove]

14. I changed my big male into an indoor cat. He didn't seem to mind. Though he

did escape one night through an open window. You'll have to watch out for the occasional escape (and then the anger when you drag them back into the house). But other than that I've had no problems.

[Voice for Peace]

20. thank you!

every response helps here.

[gbate]

15. I wish I knew the answer. My cat loves being outside.

Problem is that he sneaks out when you go outside and then doesn't come back for days.

[Voice for Peace]

21. I know I'll feel guilty when I sit outside and they're kept in

but I have to be determined with this. thanks for responding.

[KansDem]

16. I have three housecats. Once they see the routine, they adjust...

...and are all the happier for it.

KansDem's Cats' Schedule

Day One
Sleep
Sleep
Nudge KansDem
Eat
Visit catbox
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Nudge KansDem
Eat
Visit catbox
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep

Day Two
...

Your houseplants will enjoy the extra CO2

[LynneSin]

17. They'll adjust but you can still give them outdoor time

I'll take Abbott outside on his leash - he enjoys that

[Captain Hilts]

18. Good luck. nt

[Voice for Peace]

22. thank you!

[Taverner]

19. You need the Ludovico treatment. Its the only thing that works

[Voice for Peace]

23. hahaha will that cure me?

[Taverner]

24. No but it will cure your cat of the old ultraviolence

The cat will never step outside again...or listen to Beethoven