Move Outdoor Cats Inside
Most outdoor cats do not want to move indoors. Therefore, they deprive themselves of the excitement and adventure of such freedom. Getting the outdoor cat inside the home allows them to be safe and live longer. Some outdoor cats will not quickly adapt and be satisfied cats. Some outdoor cats will get used to it quickly, while others can show dissatisfaction with persistent meowing, scratching the door, or other unwanted behavior. Although the shift will not happen overnight, you can gradually get your cat used to house life by making the house more interesting than the outside. Here are our best tips for moving an outdoor cat to a new home.
Outdoor Cat to the Vet
Before an outdoor cat drastically changes its lifestyle, a veterinarian should check it. Vet Clinic will diagnose and resolve possible health problems. The vet will examine and treat the cat against external and internal parasites. The doctor will also vaccinate, chip, and, in agreement with you, set a date for neutering.
Positive Food Motivation
The place where you give your cat food is also important – it needs to be a set spot.
Delicious and quality food is crucial and should be used as the main bait and means of adapting cats to home life. For food to become a means of implementing change, you need to change the way and time of feeding. Leaving food available out always should no longer good option. Additionally, you need to increase the number of meals. Cats have evolved to ingest small portions of food several times a day. So, ideally, be good to give multiple small meals of the right food daily. Adherence to the schedule is crucial, and the food needs to be of good quality and tempting. The most important thing is that your pet feels safe. Fill the time after the meal with cuddling or playing.
Safe-room Moving Outdoor Cat into the New Home
When moving with cats, there are general guidelines the owners should follow so the move can go smoothly both for you and your beloved pet. After the move, it is time to adjust to the house. An outdoor cat must feel safe in one room before they can explore the rest of the new home. Choose a calm and quiet room. Act as a shelter will be reserved only for your furry friend and a couple of selected housemates. Other animals will not be allowed access. Everything a cat needs should be in this safe zone.
Teach Cat to use Litterbox
Some cats that live outside have no idea what to do with litter boxes. They need to be taught proper hygiene. Place several large, uncovered, shallow dishes (like trays) in different places in the safe zone. Even plain cardboard boxes can be a great option to use as starter toilets. They are accessible and easy to cut to size. Many outdoor cats will immediately start using them, especially if the litter is unscented. The pickier ones will come in only when you mix in a bit of soil from the garden. Over time, you can put less and less soil as they get used to the process. If you need help with the litter box, you can check out our easy solutions.
Enrich the interior
: Wooden ladders are guaranteed to be every cat’s favorite toy!
Changing the lifestyle of an outdoor cat involves showing cats that moving inside is more interesting than staying outside. Many exciting activities can be practiced outdoors, like climbing, exploring, and hunting. However, most of these activities can be organized in the safety of your new home, too. Let your imagination run wild.
Start by increasing the vertical space. As cats like to climb, make high platforms, ramps, houses, or upholstered shelves near the safe room. High interior elements and tall furniture can also be the cat’s territory. The more places to climb the happier the cat will be. In addition, cats love boxes, tunnels, and other semi-enclosed objects and spaces where they can hide or rest.
Cat scratcher
Scratchers, both vertical and horizontal, are necessary – cats scratch for several reasons, including marking territory and reducing stress. The strategy of enriching the cat’s living space includes toys and special feeders-puzzles. Cats love novelties and a variety of things to play with. Food balls, soft dolls that cannot be chewed and swallowed, and ping-pong balls are often their favorite toys. Water can also be the center of attention – many cats enjoy catching running water and adore fountains for pets.
Nurture the predator in the cat
There are toys that you can use with these exercises.
In addition to creating a space for cats, you also need to provide them with activities that activate their predatory behavior. It is not natural for a cat to wander around looking for a bowl of food. Even individual pieces that you throw on the floor to be chased by a cat do the job of activating the hunting instinct.
Play with your cat in a way that mimics hunting. The cat will first observe, stalk, race, and finally attack. You can use a stick with a ribbon, pull it away from the cat, over the scratches and furniture. At the end of the game, when you allow the cat to catch the “prey”, immediately give it a tasty meal to connect the game with a positive experience.
Final thoughts
Cats should never be forced to do anything. Instead, stimulate your feline friend to adjust to a new home by enriching the space so that it is more pleasant than the outside. Many cats will immediately adapt to the new conditions, while others will need time to get used to living in a home. There are always exceptions – some cats require more extended adjustment periods. It may be enough for them to have access to a fenced part of the garden. Moving an outdoor cat to a new home is not an easy task, but we are sure you will succeed with love and patience!
