The 5 Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside

Bringing an outdoor cat inside may seem impossible for many cat owners. With their wild instincts and love for the great outdoors, cats often resist the confines of domestic life.

But the dangers lurking outside – the speeding cars, aggressive dogs, and hidden predators – make the world dangerous for our beloved feline friends.

Even encounters with other cats can result in injuries, infections, and diseases.

And let's not forget the uninvited guests like ticks, fleas, ear mites, and worms that might follow your cat home.

red cat peeking out from behind the door

"But my cat adores being free outside and keeps asking to be let out!"

That's perfectly natural, but a longing can be quelled with love, care, and understanding.

With patience, persistence, and these five golden rules, you can successfully transition even the most adventurous outdoor cat to a content and safe indoor life.

Whether it's a stray, a friendly semi-feral, or your outdoor-loving pet, a warm and stimulating indoor environment awaits.

The Journey to Bringing an Outdoor Cat Inside – Five Golden Rules

Before we embark on this journey, let's consider feral cats. Born outside without proper human interaction, feral cats live by their own rules.

Bringing them inside might seem like a caring gesture, but it could be more stressful than beneficial for some.

These wild felines often thrive best with outdoor support like food, shelter, and medical care.

But for socialized outdoor cats, whether adventurous pets or friendly strays, bringing them inside is not only possible but can lead to a happier, safer life.

With understanding and the following five golden rules, you'll be well on your way to successfully bringing an outdoor cat inside.

1. Spay/Neuter Your Cat

Always spay or neuter your domestic cats.

If you haven't done so already, it's worth noting that reproductive behavior patterns can derail your attempts to make your cat an indoors-only pet.

Intact cats might display stress-induced behavioral problems if you prevent them from going outside, such as spraying smelly urine in your home.

Therefore, spay or neuter your cat several weeks before attempting this transition.

2. Secure All Exits Before Bringing an Outdoor Cat Inside

Before bringing your outdoor cat inside, secure all doors and windows. Evaluate your home to determine how to block your cat's exit routes.

Two cats are standing in the room in front of the open door

If your cat is used to climbing out a window, latch it when you're not around.

Remember, you're not creating a prison but helping your cat adjust to new territorial boundaries that are better for her or him.

3. Be Consistent and Persistent

Keep Kitty inside, no exceptions. If you give in to your cat's begging, you'll teach her or him to beg even more persistently next time.

Either ignore these requests to be let outside or divert Kitty's attention with a treat or a toy. The key is to be consistent and persistent in keeping your cat indoors.

4. Make the Indoors Fun

The importance of environmental enrichment for indoor cats cannot be overstated. A significant problem with keeping a cat indoors is boredom.

Without grass, bugs, or predators, life can become dull. According to behaviorist Roger Tabor, indoors-only cats may suffer from "confinement stress" due to lack of stimuli.

Fortunately, you can create a rich and stimulating environment within the safety of your home to keep your cat entertained and engaged.

5. Be Patient

Transitioning a cat to an indoor lifestyle is a process, and changing habits takes time. Some cats, especially older ones, might need weeks or months to adjust fully.

Don't despair. With patience and a stimulating indoor environment, your cat can have a wonderful and safe life without roaming the outdoors.

two cats playing indoors running through corridor

Remember, you are doing what's best for your cat, and it's up to you to help Kitty make the adjustment and live a long and happy life in the security of your home.

The Reward of Bringing an Outdoor Cat Inside

The journey of bringing an outdoor cat inside is filled with challenges and uncertainties, but it's a path paved with love, care, and a deep understanding of our feline friends.

Whether dealing with a wild feral cat or a socialized outdoor adventurer, the steps and considerations outlined above can guide you toward a successful transition.

Remember, every cat is unique, and patience is your greatest ally.

With time, effort, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can transform your home into a safe and stimulating haven for your cat.

The purring contentment that awaits is a reward for your cat and a harmonious bond that will enrich both your lives.

Here's to a long and happy life in the cozy confines of your home, where every meow resonates with contentment and trust.

Have more tips on bringing an outdoor cat inside? Share them in the comments below! Don't forget to help fellow cat lovers by pinning this image below on Facebook and Pinterest.

30 comments on “The 5 Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside”

Marie May 31, 2023

Hi all. I have a 23 year old domestic short hair male cat. I rescued him when he was three, he has always been an outdoor cat but yesterday he got badly hurt something attacked his neck. He been took to the vet and got medication but I really want him to stay indoors but he meow is so loud and he so stressed being in the house. He seem calm when he in a crate which the vets suggested but I don’t want him to only be in it. I’m worried he never going to adjust.what can I do ?

Anne February 2, 2024

Give him lots of reassurance and affection with a warm place to sleep and regular food. Then let him go out. If he wants to be free, he then has the choice but staying with you will seem the best one to him.

NMM March 13, 2023

Seems like he was traumatized during his missing period of time. It may take time for him to feel safe. At a shelter I volunteer at, we read to them, play some calming music, use fel-a-way. Keep him in quiet aware away from noise. Hope he improves.

Johnscats December 27, 2022

I have a question, I am trying to transition a semi feral cat that is fairly large and I am a little concerned he might harm my other cats. What should I do? I am going to get him fixed first, if I can get him into a carrier, which will be no easy feat. He lets me pet him, but is quite wary of such things.

Jo Chaffey April 10, 2022

Baby was born in my bed! I have his mum Poppy. Until he was five we were together and he was only ever bonded to me, he hid if I had visitors, even my family didn't know him. Last year we moved house, Baby stayed in for over three weeks then started going in and out. That weekend I had my grandchildren to stay and Baby got so frightened, he ran away and was lost for nine months. I have had him back for about a month now. He had gone totally feral, not even using a litter tray. Fortunately after I crated him for a week, he uses the litter tray now. He hisses and growls if I go near him and meows pitifully a lot of the time. I let him stay in my bedroom on his own for a few days then went back to sleeping in there with him sometimes staying up till 4am talking to him and trying to sooth his crying. Some days I think I',m getting somewhere with him then he seems to regress back to hiding and crying. He weed on my bed this evening! He still hisses if I go too near to him and he has lashed out too. This is breaking my heart! He was the sweetest most loving cat anyone could wish for before this happened to him. I have tried everything I can think of to help him. Any ideas gratefully recieved.

Phaedra July 26, 2022

First off, I am not a professional. I have however, lost & won this fight in the past. I am a very proud cat lady, have raised 10 kids, all of whom are cat ladies & gentlemen. Our pets are our family. I'm so sorry this happened to you & your beloved Baby. I'm happy you were reunited. These are best tips: I would take Baby to the vet, make sure it is not an injury or illness from being outside for months. You know Baby better than anyone. Is he now or was he previously motivated by anything special? Was it food, play, sounds, smells, or affection? Offer him toys, bedding, clothing, towels, pillows, or even rags that may still have that smell from before he was lost. You can even put your (cologne, soap, deodorant, lotion, hair product, dryer sheets) scent on a cat bed or toy. Leave items where he hides, then bring them out in the open, a tad more each day. Be sure you have a similar smell each time you visit. To initiate touch: Lay on the ground & make yourself as small as you can. Don't look directly @ Baby. Slowly extend just your index finger toward him, get your finger as close as you can without him recoiling, running, or backing away (like you are pointing at his face). Repeat this until Baby touches your finger with his nose. Soon after he initiates touch, you will be able to scratch his cheeks and chin. Then top of head & ears. Then pet his back. Each step could take days. When he pulls away, you have to do the same, then try again later (3x per day max). When he gets comfortable with each step, then attempt to transition to the next. After feeding is a good time for some cats since they are relaxed. There are also many resources to help cats with trauma become domesticated again. It may require giving baby to a foster family for a period of time. Your very last resort has to be to consider Baby's happiness, and possible re-release. Living indoors, while safe, is no life if he is in constant fear, anger, and miserable. Now that would be my absolute last resort. Please talk to a professional. Your vet should have good tips as well. Good luck and I hope you & Baby live happily ever after!

Janet August 13, 2020

I have an indoor/outdoor 10 year old neutered, declawed cat that needs to be acclimated to indoor apt. Living. Uses a litter box occasionally, but prefers to potty outside (sits at door like a dog). Any good suggestions on how to do this successfully? I truly love my “kittie”. I am a senior citizen and giving up my home to an apartment. Please help me. Thank you

AbbysMom August 23, 2020

Hi Janet! The best thing to do would be to start a thread in our Behavior forum - https://thecatsite.com/forums/cat-behavior.5/ Good Luck!

KTpillar March 31, 2021

If a cat is declawed, they need to stop being an outdoor cat immediately. It is incredibly unsafe.

BeNice July 2, 2023

Why are you telling this person this? You don't know their situation with the indoor outdoor cat and they said they ARE having the cat stay indoors forever now. Being judgmental is not the advice she needs.

Pat Heron February 21, 2022

Hi, I am in UK but in same position. I have a 10 year old neutered cat that I rescued 3 years ago. He has a big garden but really doesn't go far Nowadays he only goes out for about 10 mins I'm moving to an Apartment and there is a busy main road outside. I don't want to risk him but not sure he'll settle to inside He will not use the scratching post, preferring my bedroom carpet! How did you get on?

Natalie October 16, 2022

I’m in a similar position with my cat, how did you end up going with this?

Mary January 15, 2023

I bought a warthog doormat from L.L. Bean. Had a number of them, and I bought them to use inside my doors, but I’ve now had them for the last 10 years and every one of the handful of cats I’ve had since then have been delighted to use them for scratching and quit scratching elsewhere. The mats are not damaged, and from the looks of all the claws caught in them before I vacuum, they’re quite effective. I gave one to a neighbor, who was struggling with a cat scratching on a new couch, and the cat uses the rug now instead. I imagine you can get something similar cheaper elsewhere if you prefer.

CHATTY KATTY HOME January 26, 2018

susieqz said:
or, you can establish a loving relationship with a feral cat, outdoors. then, she will dart inside to explore, a bit at a time. she knows where the food is. when she is comfy, you relax with her for longer n longer times, but when she goes to the door, you let her out. finally, when it gets cold, you keep her in overnight. the first night she demanded to leave after a couple hours, but each night she stays in longer. now, she's in for the whole night. my idea was to keep her indoors during the day, while letting her out at night, but she wanted none of that. she doesn't want to be inside during the day but prefers to stay in at night. she will train herself to stay in full time when the weather drops enow. my training is based on no trapping or confinement, just trust.

exactly, When Chatty and I found each other she ran into my house and i didn't want to let her back out but she would go out back with me climb the trees or maybe wander within eye view next door but when I'd call for her she would always run back usually jumping into my arms and give me a kiss.

susieqz November 9, 2017

or, you can establish a loving relationship with a feral cat, outdoors. then, she will dart inside to explore, a bit at a time. she knows where the food is. when she is comfy, you relax with her for longer n longer times, but when she goes to the door, you let her out. finally, when it gets cold, you keep her in overnight. the first night she demanded to leave after a couple hours, but each night she stays in longer. now, she's in for the whole night. my idea was to keep her indoors during the day, while letting her out at night, but she wanted none of that. she doesn't want to be inside during the day but prefers to stay in at night. she will train herself to stay in full time when the weather drops enow. my training is based on no trapping or confinement, just trust.

maureen brad July 10, 2017

jesselivengood said:
#5 rule is equally as important as 1. If you already have cats and bring in a feral and dont have it fixed, It will fit into rule 5 and take the main rooms where you are over and keep the other cats in other rooms. I went thru it. but you fix them perhaps even thinking about declaw then #5 becomes a cat that fits in with others. Fix them#1 is #1 then wait :)

I hope no one would declaw. It is barbaric.Re- home before you declaw.Many declawed cats end up in shelters. Many are just miserable for the rest of their lives. You would miss an arm or a leg wouldn't you?

Well said!

tarasgirl06 July 8, 2017

NEVER. DECLAW. A. CAT. It is the same as whacking the first digits off all of your toes, leaving you to recover with no anaesthesia, and then forcing you to walk on those mutilated feet for the rest of your life, as well as digging in a litterbox and burying the waste with those mutilated feet. Sound bad? IT IS.

Shane Kent said:
If you have heating ducts in your house be sure to secure floor registers so they can't get into the duct work. I rescued a little female feral cat and she went down the duct work in their safe room. Pulled a metal heat register up and went down it. At least I had them in an office building with a drop ceiling so it wasn't overly difficult to pull a section of duct work out to get her back. I put a 55 pound counter weight on the floor register so she couldn't repeat it. Of course the cat would need to be small enough to fit in the duct to worry about it.

Our ductwork isn't a problem, but we do have this weird door that leads to the crawlspace and I have that obstructed so no one can get out (or in!).

Another excellent educational article. Thank you BIGTIME for making "Spay/Neuter" the FIRST point. I wish I could tattoo that on everyone's arm. Then I would be pretty much out of a job, that of advocating for homeless cats to find them loving permanent homes.

calico man March 9, 2017

I recently acquired Lulu from her previous owners who live two streets away. She kept showing up on my doorstep, (must have been the tuna I gave her!) so the owners decided to let her have a new forever home with me! She was an outdoor cat and used to "outdoor bathrooms" and sits at the front door when she wants out. Even though there is a litter box, the only time she has used it was when I was gone for seven hours. So I will have my work cut out for me when I make her an indoor kitty only!

JMJimmy March 8, 2017

#6 Have lots of Natures Miracle on hand. Outdoor cats can learn to spray the bounds of their territory... if that bounding becomes the inside of your house, you could be in for an unwelcome, smelly, and damaging transition period. It does get better with time though as they accept their new life

jesselivengood July 3, 2016

#5 rule is equally as important as 1. If you already have cats and bring in a feral and dont have it fixed, It will fit into rule 5 and take the main rooms where you are over and keep the other cats in other rooms. I went thru it. but you fix them perhaps even thinking about declaw then #5 becomes a cat that fits in with others. Fix them#1 is #1 then wait :)

tarasgirl06 June 10, 2016

No telling, @segelkatt, but one thing I've learned from a life of living with cats is always to trust them. They are extremely intuitive and sensitive, and when they don't trust someone, we'd do well not to, either.

segelkatt June 10, 2016

somebody had come to look at the foster. He took one look at her and bailed, right past her and under a big chair where he stayed until she left. Afterwards he was very leery of me also and the next day he still did not trust me and stayed hidden most of the time. Now he is back to his loving self, chirping while hanging around my knees and tapping on my leg to be petted while I am typing. Something spooked that cat, the prospective cat parent had a cat of her own and her other cat had recently passed after a long illness where she had to give the cat meds and fluids, perhaps my foster could sense that

@playerdark, good on you -- love and patience are indeed key, with cats, as with anyone else! @segelkatt, good on you for your love and patience with your foster (whom I not-so-secretly hope will be a foster failure ;) ) One of my girls was rescued as a feral kitten and is only bonded to me. She runs and hides when anyone else is around, even if it's someone she's been around many times before. She hasn't bonded in the slightest with any of her cat family members, either. Once feral, always feral, I guess -- but she is very loving and affetionate with me.

it takes a lot of love and persistence to change any cat's behavior. I have had a cat for almost two years and he still is scared of just about everyone but me. He's supposed to be a foster but as it is he will take at least another two years before he would be fit for adoption so he might just as well be MY cat. This cat was mentally abused although not physically (a care taker was scared of cats and walked into any room with a broom in front of him to ward off any cat, the cat parent had lost her mind) so when he came to me he would hide for weeks before I even saw him. Even now he runs from being picked up although once caught he can't get enough of petting and hugging, and purrs and chirps up a storm, turns on his back to have his belly scrubbed. A feral cat at can't be any more difficult to be socialized than this cat.

tarasgirl06 March 22, 2016

Excellent point, kittyperson! Just one more great reason to KEEP CATS INDOORS!

kittyperson March 22, 2016

Having a cat that goes outside also will require the regular purchase and application of flea and tic medication. If this is not done every month religeously you cat will bring a flea infestation into your house and boy will you have a problem then! So if you are not able to be very consistant with the care of a cat and keep it inside leave the care of cats to those that can. You will. be doing both the cats and yourself a favor!

tarasgirl06 March 15, 2016

Excellent suggestions,! Thank you for posting them.

The 5 Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside