Indoor cat desperately wants to go outside

[CatDad99]

Asking for some help/advice here. We're first time cat owners and adopted Cody a little over 2 years ago. He was a rescue and at the time they estimated he was about 1 to 1 1/2 years old. We've kept him as an indoor cat since we've had him, although we let him go outside on our 2nd story deck, which he enjoys.
Every once in a while, he'll dart out the front door if given the opportunity (maybe 5 or 6 times since we've had him). When he does this, he usually sticks close to the house, or hides under our neighbor's porch and will eventually come back on his own fairly quickly. The longest he's been "away" was maybe 3 hours or so.
We've hesitated to let him out because we live on a somewhat busy street but also have a lot of wildlife in the area (foxes, the occasional coyote). In addition, he's the poster child of a "fraidy cat" and definitely not a hunter. He's scared of the squirrels that will occasionally come up on the deck, and I'm fairly certain he's made friends with the mice that try to get into our garage every fall rather than hunt them. I feel bad not letting him go out, but we'd also be worried about letting him out regularly.
The last time he got out was about 2 weeks ago and he's been adamant about wanting to go out again. He'll sit by the front door and cry for 10-15 minutes at a time. My question is, should we let him go outside? What do we need to consider if we do let him out? I feel bad not letting him go out.

 

[ArtNJ]

If you let him out, there are all kinds of risks. And he may stress the hell out of you by staying out for days. That is a thing, especially in warm weather when there is wildlife about. He may also bring back ticks or fleas, even with a collar. I got a bullseye rash from a cat-brought tick and had to go on meds.

You'll hear a lot of horror stories. Mine was that my indoor/outdoor had a flea & tick collar. But apparently in NJ, you really do need the prescription flea, tick & heartworm collars. Heartworm destroys cat lungs over time (yes, in cats heartworm causes issues with the lungs not the heart) and my cat eventually "drowned" when his lungs couldn't keep up.

When that cat died, I converted the other indoor/outdoor to indoor only. He still tries to escape, and manages it sometimes. But that is ok, he is never out for long.

 

[iPappy]

Hi! It doesn't sound like it's a good idea to let him roam on his own. Would harness training him be an option? What about a catio?

 

[rubysmama]

My question is, should we let him go outside? What do we need to consider if we do let him out? I feel bad not letting him go out.

I'm going to say "no". There's just too much danger outside, from cars, predators, cruel humans, etc.

Here's a TCS article on How To Keep Your Cat Safe Outdoors - TheCatSite
(spoiler alert, there's no safe way to let them out on their own)

My family had a young cat killed by a car many years ago, and my poor Dad was the one who found him. I was still young then, so never really thought about how awful that must have been for my Dad, but now could not imagine myself having to go through that. It's hard enough losing them from illness and aging.

So despite his desire to go outside, I would suggest keeping Cody as an indoor only cat.

As for him darting out the door, this TCS article might have some tips for you.
4 Foolproof Ways To Prevent Your Cat From Darting Out The Door - TheCatSite

There's also How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats) - TheCatSite

And Cat Enclosures - Freedom Without The Risks For Curious Cats - TheCatSite
Harness And Leash Training For Cats - TheCatSite

 

[Kris107]

I agree with others. Part of being a good pet parent is sometimes going against what our cats want because we know best. Perhaps you could build him a catio or make the inside more interesting for him?

 

[Alldara]

I'm so going to suggest keeping him in. In not in the US, but my neighbour shot two of our indoor outdoor, (killing one) cats in my childhood.
It's not just foxes and such that need to be worried over.

I've had good luck getting rid of door dashing by:
- harness training my cat. He knows he only goes out with a vest. We walk him daily.
- clicker training our cats. They've learned sit. They're still learning "back".

 

[CatDad99]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I do agree that I would feel much better not letting him roam on his own. Any tips on harness training? We've tried before but he wanted NO part of it.

 

[rubysmama]

Any tips on harness training? We've tried before but he wanted NO part of it.

I haven't ever harness trained a cat, so can't offer any tips. However, here's a link to all the threads with "harness training" in the title.
Search Results for Query: harness training

 

[Alldara]

When Magnus wanted out, I just popped the harness and leash on and let him out. Out was the distraction to stop the flop and he quickly learned it was harness or no go.

 

[game misconduct]

you will feel worse finding him dead on a road or wondering what happened to him if or when he doesnt come back if he isnt spayed get it done asap you can also train him to not run out using treats never let your guard down about him running out he needs to learn its not allowed until you harness train him if thats the plan. good luck

 

[Furballsmom]

Any tips on harness training? We've tried before but he wanted NO part of it.

LOL neither did Poppycat (RIP darling little man). However, this was a cat who'd never been outside in his life except during the seconds it took to get from front door to car door and reverse, for vet trips.

We have a decent little backyard. A catio wasn't in the picture so I decided to try a harness.

So, start really slowly, and use a treat now and then. By slowly, I'm talking about just leaving the harness lying on the floor. Take it up, and a little while later, --couple days maybe, put it in another location. Then, after some more time gently try showing it to him directly when he's resting, and touch a foot with it. If he gets up and walks away, never mind and try again later. Eventually try just draping it over his back, without latching it, and remove it after a few seconds. Repeat that a number of times.

You'll likely still get the flop mentioned above. Poppy fell on his side the first time I actually latched the harness, and I could have dragged him around the house (didn't) but I laughed. You'd have thought I, or the harness, was going to murder him.

Anyway, after a few times of this he started to remain standing up. I finally took the step of opening the door, and after a bit of time he learned (as also mentioned above) that the harness meant Outside, to the point he'd actually wait at the door for me to put the harness on him.

Poppy was never a door-darter but Buddy on the other hand has no such restraint in his character. He was found on the streets three times over a span of four years by the same animal shelter. He's chipped, and the last person who had him when called by the shelter never bothered to show up to get him. Our gain, but that poor cat.

In any case, Buddy had already been introduced to a harness, I think. We ended up getting something more like a little vest with velcro, and although he's been with us more than a year I still use it sometimes.

Anyway, there is also the option of a pet safe, enclosed buggy.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I do agree that I would feel much better not letting him roam on his own. Any tips on harness training? We've tried before but he wanted NO part of it.

I guess I don't understand why you can't use your 2nd story deck as his 'outdoors retreat', by enclosing it with netting (if that is needed) and adding a cat tree and/or other items to help entertain him out there. There are tons of ways to make a 2nd story deck secure so that he is safe from being able to jump over the side.

Most of the time when a cat is leash/harness trained, they are never allowed to cross the threshold in/out, other than in your arms, so that they don't connect walking over it as a means of getting outside on their own. Well, your guy already knows that 'trick'.

 

[CatDad99]

I should have been clearer there. The deck has always been his secure outdoor space and it he was always content going out there. It's high enough (and he is enough of a chicken) that trying to get down is not an option.
His last dash out the front door changed all of that and now all he wants to do is go out the front door. The deck suddenly isnt good enough for him anymore. We'll just have to hold our ground. Just tough to police the front door with the kids and my in-laws (who are over a lot) not being as aware of him.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Did you read the articles in Post #4? One of them had some ideas about how to thwart door dashing. If any of them would work for you, you can 'train' kids and in-laws to honor your request for help.

And, try to do some 'spicing' up of his entertainment options on the deck.

I know it is hard to deny one's cat of things they seem to want, but it is necessary when what they want can present a danger to them. With time and patience, he'll 're-learn' that the deck is his only means for the outdoor experience.

 

[Kflowers]

As I understand it the problem is the front door. The other one leads to the deck where he can go. Have you considered making a faux entrance hall around the front door? Use the same materials as you would for a catio. Build the wooden structure and use screening or chicken wire for the 'walls' of the entrance hall. That way you can enter the entrance hall and close the door behind you assured he didn't come with you, then you can go outside. Same from coming back inside. If you have a wooden floor this shouldn't be hard to do. Buy a stud finder if you don't have one. I would take the faux walls all the way to the ceiling as there is no screening/chicken wire that cats cannot climb. It may not be beautiful, but the point is keeping the cat alive, not decorating. Though it does increase your room to decorate.

 

[CatDad99]

I definitely will be using the idea of a shopping bag or something like that to block the entrance when coming in. We can also try to go through the garage or basement door for the time being and hope he stops lurking by the front door after a while.
The bigger issue may be training the in-laws - they might be harder to train than a whole herd of cats!

 

[FeebysOwner]

The bigger issue may be training the in-laws - they might be harder to train than a whole herd of cats!

That is all too true!!!! I know it sounds drastic, but tbh, if they can't honor your requests to be cautious when using the front door, then you can tell them you had no recourse but to lock them out. Perhaps, ask them to ring the doorbell or knock on the door before entering, and then either let them in with your added door darting preventative techniques, or direct them to the garage or the basement door. If they have to go through that, they will likely think twice before exiting via the front door without consulting you.

It is all a matter of common courtesy and respect to adhere to a homeowner's requests - shame on them if they can't comply even if they don't 'get it'. It is much easier to explain to a human being what you want, than to try to get a cat to understand why they aren't supposed to door dart when someone happens to unintentionally leave them with access to it!!!!

 

[Caspers Human]

Our youngest, Elliot, is almost 2-1/2 y.o. and we brought him indoors from being left outside a little over a year ago. He hasn't had a moment outdoors since the day we brought him in.

Yes, he agitated and begged to go out for a while. He tried for the door, once or twice but we were always steadfast. Cats don't go outside.

When he agitates to go out, we ignore him. We can open a window for him so that he can sit on the ledge and supervise the goings on around the neighborhood. We can open the patio door for him so that he can watch birds and squirrels but there will be no going outside... Period! (The patio door has pet resistant screen installed.)

If he tries for the door, he gets "the boot." We stomp on the floor to make him stop or, if he makes a second effort, he gets nudged out of the way with a foot. (Don't kick the cat! Just shove him out of the way.) If that doesn't work, he gets picked up and put into his room with the door shut.

You've got to be consistent and you have to be firm: Cats stay inside! Zero tolerance!

It's been a year, now, and Elliot has learned the rules. He rarely even tries to go out, anymore. If I go outside, to the patio, to have a smoke, he'll sit, patiently, by the door and wait for me to come back inside. I slide the screen open and he'll move out of the way until I get inside and shut the door. Of course, he always gets lots of love and petting and plenty of "Good Kitty!"

Our eldest, Casper, is going on 13 y.o. and we treat him just the same. Casper doesn't even try, anymore. He got out one time shortly after we adopted him but it was cold and snowy, outside. He hit the front stoop, got one dose of the cold and turned right around and went back inside. We don't even worry about him, anymore.

One time, I was upstairs then came back down to find Casper laying by the threshold of the patio door with the screen open by about two feet! He was just laying there, catching some sun, watching birds and things. I don't know how long the door had been open or how it got open in the first place. He could have gone out and been long gone before I even knew it! He was just laying there like nothing was ever wrong.

It's pretty clear that both of our cats are happy to be indoors.

You've just got to lay down the law and stick to your guns.

 

[Kwik]

Hi there C CatDad99
Welcome to TCS

I always ask a simple question- would you let your toddler child out the front door because they whined in front of it for 20 minutes or tried to run past you when you opened it? Of course not,so what would you do about it? It's that simple

The risks are too high and on the top of the list is never seeing them again despite " oh she/he always comes back or never goes far" Sickness,,disease,parasites,poisons,,toxic plants,,insecticides,weed killers,predators ( animal & human) ,sharp objects,get stuck on sometjing,in something,swallow some foreign object,cat nappers,cars..... and thsts just to name a FEW potential hazards

On a positive note cats are not difficult to train to walk on a lead- we've got plenty of Threads about it here and if you want suggestions you can start a thread about the Topic and you'll get lots of advice so he'll look like this

Thats Sami,he is a certified therapy animal and walks everywhere at " heel" better than most German Shepherds!

Please don't let Cody out without a harness,a lead and you

 

[F+V]

If you decide to harness train him, you might want to attach an AirTag just in case.
When my cat escaped he was wearing a harness w/Airtag attached to it, so I could track him.