Domestic cats and dogs have the potential to harass and kill native wildlife, which is a problem for those of us who enjoy both. Some people believe strongly in the right for their animals to roam freely; others feel just as strongly that it is unethical. Of course, there are other reasons to keep a cat indoors–their safety, and your peace of mind.
I am a cat owner with an extremely outdoor-loving cat, Gary. He came to us as an adult cat who was used to wandering the neighborhood at will. All the neighbors loved seeing him and feeding him treats (we were to find out when he later went missing). When he began to live with us, it seemed impossible to contain him indoors when he liked being outside so much. However, when he disappeared for a week, it became clear that the transition needed to happen–not only to protect our native wildlife, but to keep our cat around until he’s old and gray-er.
Ideas for Transitioning a Cat Indoors
- Pick your battles: Choose the fall/winter/rainy season, when your cat is already more likely to want to stay indoors, to start keeping them in.
2. The Cat Harness: If you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard, try getting your cat accustomed to a leash. Some will never learn to accept a harness, but giving the cat lots of treats can help. For Gary, going outside on a walk is a reward in itself (enough that he tolerates it, at least).
3. The Catio: This is my favorite suggestion, because Gary wants to be outdoors for hours at a time. I don’t think Gary could have transitioned to an indoor-only cat without a catio. These can come in all shapes and sizes depending on your living situation. If you don’t have a convenient cat-door, you can build a small enclosure around a garden-level window. We used wire garden fencing (make sure it’s a tight weave they can’t escape through) and 4 foot metal posts from the local hardware store (a total investment of around $50).
Since our current place doesn’t have low windows, we found a large dog kennel (we purchased a used one locally) that is six feet tall. We set it up so that Gary can egress directly out the living room window into his outdoor enclosure. It’s spacious and allows him to enjoy the grass (aka, eat it only to vomit it up later in the living room…) Keep an eye out on your local Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace; old dog kennels seem to come up fairly often.
If cost is not an issue, pre-fabricated catios are available for sale online. They tend to cost hundreds of dollars though, and the same investment into a used dog kennel or some fencing at the hardware store will get you a much bigger enclosure for cheaper.
4. Prepare to spend extra time keeping your cat entertained. For a lot of folks, allowing their cat to roam free provides their entertainment. An indoor cat will need more stimulation, especially one that is already high-energy. More cat toys and more of your attention will be needed. An indoor cat is extra work (and more frequent cleaning of the litter box), but it’s worth it to know I’ll be greeted at the door every day when I come home.
