Male cat.fixed.4 to 5 years old. Formal feral. He's been an inside cat for a year no problem. We could have the front door open, and he wouldn't even look or think of going outside. All of a sudden at midnight when my mom had the door open to talk neighbor,and he bloted outside and into the forest. It took an hour and half for him to come home. I had to dive for him and grab him by the tail to get him inside. Which i feel awful doing, but it was the only to grab him. Hes not hurt and still his lovey self. Now that he's inside though, he won't stop walking around the house meowing and checking everything out. He's been doing it all night and morning. He won't go to sleep and won't leave the front door alone. What changed? Why does he want outside so badly?
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Cat all of a sudden wants outside
- Thread starter MooTheCat
- Start Date
He got a taste of being outside and liked it. It was exciting and different. Never stand and talk to someone with the door held open if you have cats. Either go out or in. Why on earth would someone come calling at midnight? what has happened has happened. This will subside in time, inside is definitely the safest place for him. This is from someone who has buried a lot of cats. Just get him something for distraction, like new toys or play with him with a wand, etc. to get his mind off of it. He will quit in time......
My cat used to be outdoors when we abruptly switched her to indoor only. At first, she was obsessed with trying to go outside. It lasted for probably a year, maybe two. Whenever we left the house we'd have to make sure she wouldn't bolt between our legs. However, after a while she got used to it. Now, I can't even imagine bringing her outside.
Make sure he has access to windows, preferably one with a bird feeder. Play with him throughout the day. If he doesn't have a few cat trees, get him them. Teach him that there's as much for him inside as there is for him outside.
Some cats just like to explore though. You might consider getting him a harness. I can't say whether it'd be a good idea because you don't want him to like being outside *too* much, but it might fulfill that urge to explore. I've heard of cats who are completely satisfied with going for walks and don't try to bolt otherwise, but with my own cat he definitely tried to bolt way more after I started bringing him out on the harness.
To discourage bolting, remove any furniture next to the door that he can hide under. Cats like to run from underneath things. And of course just be wary.
Make sure he has access to windows, preferably one with a bird feeder. Play with him throughout the day. If he doesn't have a few cat trees, get him them. Teach him that there's as much for him inside as there is for him outside.
Some cats just like to explore though. You might consider getting him a harness. I can't say whether it'd be a good idea because you don't want him to like being outside *too* much, but it might fulfill that urge to explore. I've heard of cats who are completely satisfied with going for walks and don't try to bolt otherwise, but with my own cat he definitely tried to bolt way more after I started bringing him out on the harness.
To discourage bolting, remove any furniture next to the door that he can hide under. Cats like to run from underneath things. And of course just be wary.
