Why Is My Cat Afraid To Go Outside Even In My Arms?

She was on a leash yesterday. She doesn't really mind it. I tried multiple times to get her to walk up and down the staircase at our block at least, but she ran right back into our apartment. I also tried to pick her up and walk around like that outside, but she kept meowing and refused to go further. She was pulling aggressively in attempt to go back inside. I did get her back, but it's frustrating. Any tips? Some positive conditioning maybe? I would really love for her to get more active and see more things. In May she'll be 2 years old.

She sounds terrified. If she wants to stay inside, it’s really not worth forcing her out.

I wish my cat is like that, instead of darting out the door when there is an opportunity.

If she does not like the outdoors then it is way much better for her (or even for you as you won't have to worry of her escaping). If possible, you can just build her a catio where she can be outdoors but still literally indoors.

Maybe your cat had a bad experience outside which you may not know about, and she feels safest when inside the house. Just let her be.

Cats have a degree of instinctive caution about new places. They usually get over it, hence the old saying about curiousity, but it can take some time.

Are you trying to teach the cat to walk on a leash, or just to hang out in your backyard on a leash?

Sounds like being nervous in a new place. I suggest taking her out and letter her go as far as she is comfortable. Over time that will increase until hopefully she enjoys going as far as you want.

Also, picking her up makes her feel vulnerable, unable to defend herself. Coupled with being scared of going where you are taking her it makes sense that it didn’t help. Just let her explore naturally with you on the harness, and go at her pace.

It can take a while for a cat to feel safe and confident when outside of their normal home, territory and comfort zone.

Remember, cats hear and smell things that we humans could probably not smell or hear, even if you paid us a trillion dollars to try to smell and hear what the cats smell and hear! I imagine it is like being bombarded with a cacophony of sounds and scents. It can take a while for them to become used to what is a safe noise/smell and what is not.

I wouldn't ever try to force a scared or nervous cat to go outside, even on a lease or in your arms. They can easily get spooked and dash or jump away... sometimes (if you live by a road or in an urban area) only to get hit by a car. Be careful, be slow and be patient -- and let the cat set the pace! I know that's hard to do, but trusting you is also what the cat wants... so if you are determined to train the cat to walk on a leash outside, going slowly will eventually offer rewards.

Do you have a cat tree or two in your home? Vertical climbing spaces, if not? That would be plenty of exercise, along with playtimes. If she is uncomfortable with going outside, I wouldn't bother trying to condition her to do it. Maybe, one day on her own, she will surprise you and want to go outside. Personally, all the better if she never does.

Here's a few TCS articles that might have some tips to help get her more active.

7 Proven Ways To Get Your Cat To Be More Active | TheCatSite
Bored Cat? What Cat Owners Need To Know (including 10 Actionable Tips)
Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know | TheCatSite

Vivi18 said:

but she ran right back into our apartment.

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Some cats are just weary at the slightest sights and sounds. Thank goodness that your kitty is smart to want to get back inside the house instead of running berserk and away from home.

My boy likes to go out of the house whenever we open the door. He'll venture around but if there's a neighbor he sees or any sounds, he'll stop dead in his tracks and then scurry back to the house. If he's being carried, and he's weary, he'll struggle to get back in. If he's in the house at the gate watching the outside when the door is opened, any loud or strange noise or sound will find him retreating further into the house.

Your cat and my boy sounds alike and this is just them being very cautious. Just continue to bring your kitty out on the leash and if she wants in, bring her in so that it does not stress her out.

FeebysOwner said:

Do you have a cat tree or two in your home? Vertical climbing spaces, if not? That would be plenty of exercise, along with playtimes. If she is uncomfortable with going outside, I wouldn't bother trying to condition her to do it. Maybe, one day on her own, she will surprise you and want to go outside. Personally, all the better if she never does.

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I can't really just let her go outside because I live in an apartment. She has to go down the stairs etc. I had a cat tree that she broke and now like 1/3 of it is still standing. Now she just uses it to sharpen her claws. So now no cat tree. I do play with her, but not every day. Lately I've been busy with school. Vertical climbing spaces... I mean she mainly goes up to the windows and that's it. But no other "special place". She does climb up the furniture though.
Thing is, if I don't train her to do it, she will never do it simply because there isn't any opportunity for her to try to go out, unless she's suicidal and wants to jump out of the window.

rubysmama said:

Here's a few TCS articles that might have some tips to help get her more active.

7 Proven Ways To Get Your Cat To Be More Active | TheCatSite
Bored Cat? What Cat Owners Need To Know (including 10 Actionable Tips)
Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know | TheCatSite

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I will check them out. Thanks!

tabbytom said:

Some cats are just weary at the slightest sights and sounds. Thank goodness that your kitty is smart to want to get back inside the house instead of running berserk and away from home.

My boy likes to go out of the house whenever we open the door. He'll venture around but if there's a neighbor he sees or any sounds, he'll stop dead in his tracks and then scurry back to the house. If he's being carried, and he's weary, he'll struggle to get back in. If he's in the house at the gate watching the outside when the door is opened, any loud or strange noise or sound will find him retreating further into the house.

Your cat and my boy sounds alike and this is just them being very cautious. Just continue to bring your kitty out on the leash and if she wants in, bring her in so that it does not stress her out.

Click to expand...

Do you think it'd be too stressful if I tried to take her out like 2 times / week? Maybe just once better?

PushPurrCatPaws said:

It can take a while for a cat to feel safe and confident when outside of their normal home, territory and comfort zone.

Remember, cats hear and smell things that we humans could probably not smell or hear, even if you paid us a trillion dollars to try to smell and hear what the cats smell and hear! I imagine it is like being bombarded with a cacophony of sounds and scents. It can take a while for them to become used to what is a safe noise/smell and what is not.

I wouldn't ever try to force a scared or nervous cat to go outside, even on a lease or in your arms. They can easily get spooked and dash or jump away... sometimes (if you live by a road or in an urban area) only to get hit by a car. Be careful, be slow and be patient -- and let the cat set the pace! I know that's hard to do, but trusting you is also what the cat wants... so if you are determined to train the cat to walk on a leash outside, going slowly will eventually offer rewards.

Click to expand...

She's a very sweet cat and just freezes if there's no escape route, so I'm not worried about that. However, I did keep her tight and close as to minimize the risk of her somehow getting away.
I did encourage her to lead the way and she does it confidently at home, but she becomes really uneasy and nervous just 1 step outside the main door.

KarenKat said:

Sounds like being nervous in a new place. I suggest taking her out and letter her go as far as she is comfortable. Over time that will increase until hopefully she enjoys going as far as you want.

Also, picking her up makes her feel vulnerable, unable to defend herself. Coupled with being scared of going where you are taking her it makes sense that it didn’t help. Just let her explore naturally with you on the harness, and go at her pace.

Click to expand...

I will probably just keep the main door open for a few minutes to encourage her to go out by herself, all the while watching her. If she manages to walk around a bit I will try to actually take her out of the apartment building. It would seem to take a very long time that way because she is easily spooked.

ArtNJ said:

Cats have a degree of instinctive caution about new places. They usually get over it, hence the old saying about curiousity, but it can take some time.

Are you trying to teach the cat to walk on a leash, or just to hang out in your backyard on a leash?

Click to expand...

No backyard. I live in an apartment. I'm trying to teach her to walk on a leash outside. She does it without problem inside.

Maria Bayote said:

I wish my cat is like that, instead of darting out the door when there is an opportunity.

If she does not like the outdoors then it is way much better for her (or even for you as you won't have to worry of her escaping). If possible, you can just build her a catio where she can be outdoors but still literally indoors.

Maybe your cat had a bad experience outside which you may not know about, and she feels safest when inside the house. Just let her be.

Click to expand...

No possibility to create a catio and she can't escape from an apartment lol. I'm not sure what kind of bad experience she could've had because I got her from my grandma at 1 month old.

Vivi18 said:

No backyard. I live in an apartment. I'm trying to teach her to walk on a leash outside. She does it without problem inside.

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Leash training is hard. I failed, others have failed. There are some members here that have a system that they report works. I don't remember their names, but you could try a post specifically seeking tips.

I actually don't know how walking works if there are dogs in the neighborhood. Even beyond dogs, cats get scared very easily, and if they can't flee freely, I don't really know how that goes. I believe some people make it work, but I'm curious how it works in practice.

Vivi18 said:

Do you think it'd be too stressful if I tried to take her out like 2 times / week? Maybe just once better?

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You can bring her out everyday if you wish to but just remember to let her own instincts guide her. If she feels comfortable and safe, she stay out longer and if she feels uncomfortable or afraid, she'll retreat back home which is normal. Just don't force her to stay on outside if she is trying to get home.

As long as she does it on her own, whether she stay out longer or go back in quick, it should be ok not stressful for her unless she refuses to go out of the house and is forcefully brought out.

Leash her and you stay outside the door and gently ask her to come out and see if she does. If she stays, let her be. If she thinks it's pk to go out, she'll move out by her own but most likely she'll be very cautious and get back to the house.

You can also carry her and not go too far from the house/door and let her look around and keep telling her it's ok and see how long she stays in your arms. Once she struggles to try to get back in, please bring her in.

It may take some time before she likes the outdoor or she may just be very happy staying indoors walking on the leash inside. Remember, it's always on her terms.

tabbytom said:

You can bring her out everyday if you wish to but just remember to let her own instincts guide her. If she feels comfortable and safe, she stay out longer and if she feels uncomfortable or afraid, she'll retreat back home which is normal. Just don't force her to stay on outside if she is trying to get home.

As long as she does it on her own, whether she stay out longer or go back in quick, it should be ok not stressful for her unless she refuses to go out of the house and is forcefully brought out.

Leash her and you stay outside the door and gently ask her to come out and see if she does. If she stays, let her be. If she thinks it's pk to go out, she'll move out by her own but most likely she'll be very cautious and get back to the house.

You can also carry her and not go too far from the house/door and let her look around and keep telling her it's ok and see how long she stays in your arms. Once she struggles to try to get back in, please bring her in.

It may take some time before she likes the outdoor or she may just be very happy staying indoors walking on the leash inside. Remember, it's always on her terms.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I will try this !