- Joined
- Aug 22, 2012
- Messages
- 66
- Purraise
- 12
I've always had cats - always one at a time. They were always indoors and I never had problems with it. Until I had my current cat, Lobinho, that is.
The first 3 years were hell, with him crying, peeing everywhere, knocking things off and scratching the door and windows to the outside a lot. He was obviously obsessed with the outdoors.
I spent a lot of money on toys and a huge cat tree, but he'd lose interest really fast.
So I started spending 1 hour everyday putting him on a harness and going for a walk, but that made things worse because he would be even louder after we return home.
Downstairs neighbours started complaining about noises of things falling off, and I was feeling tired because I couldn't sleep properly.
During this period, I started a new job outside of the city and I moved to the countryside.
I saw cats outside and the location was quiet, no busy roads.
After a few weeks of moving there, I slowly introduced him to the outdoors (on a harness), and then finally let him out on his own. I was nervous thinking we would not return, etc. But he did.
... And OMG! What a transformation, I remember that first day, we came straight to me purring - he was sooo relaxed and happy!
I started being able to sleep without interruptions. We were all happy.
Fast fwd another 3 years (Lobinho is now 7).
I can feel that being outside is having a toll on him, for some reason.
He spends his day inside and I only allow him to go out when I return from work for 2 hours (between 6 to 8 pm).
He returns home at ~8 after food, with runny eyes and itchy skin.
He is now on medication (Medrone 2mg for the itchy skin + Fusidic acid for the eyes).
I cannot guarantee that this is due to him being outside, but I have a strong suspicion.
I have been trying to not allow him to go out and he is becoming agitated. Last night he was loud, and I woke up with poop and pee on the kitchen floor.
One day indoors, and he is this miserable.
I can see 2 options:
- Make him indoors again, and get ready to deal with a frustrated cat.
- Allow him to go out, and he will have to be on medication continuously (assuming the problem really is due to him going outside).
Do you see any other options? Do you have suggestions?
The first 3 years were hell, with him crying, peeing everywhere, knocking things off and scratching the door and windows to the outside a lot. He was obviously obsessed with the outdoors.
I spent a lot of money on toys and a huge cat tree, but he'd lose interest really fast.
So I started spending 1 hour everyday putting him on a harness and going for a walk, but that made things worse because he would be even louder after we return home.
Downstairs neighbours started complaining about noises of things falling off, and I was feeling tired because I couldn't sleep properly.
During this period, I started a new job outside of the city and I moved to the countryside.
I saw cats outside and the location was quiet, no busy roads.
After a few weeks of moving there, I slowly introduced him to the outdoors (on a harness), and then finally let him out on his own. I was nervous thinking we would not return, etc. But he did.
... And OMG! What a transformation, I remember that first day, we came straight to me purring - he was sooo relaxed and happy!
I started being able to sleep without interruptions. We were all happy.
Fast fwd another 3 years (Lobinho is now 7).
I can feel that being outside is having a toll on him, for some reason.
He spends his day inside and I only allow him to go out when I return from work for 2 hours (between 6 to 8 pm).
He returns home at ~8 after food, with runny eyes and itchy skin.
He is now on medication (Medrone 2mg for the itchy skin + Fusidic acid for the eyes).
I cannot guarantee that this is due to him being outside, but I have a strong suspicion.
I have been trying to not allow him to go out and he is becoming agitated. Last night he was loud, and I woke up with poop and pee on the kitchen floor.
One day indoors, and he is this miserable.
I can see 2 options:
- Make him indoors again, and get ready to deal with a frustrated cat.
- Allow him to go out, and he will have to be on medication continuously (assuming the problem really is due to him going outside).
Do you see any other options? Do you have suggestions?