Outdoor To Indoor Cat

[Woodleigh]

I'm new here (hi everyone). I currently have a young kitty (2yo in May), Makita, that lives outside on the farm. My family and I will be moving in March and want to bring her with us as an indoor cat. She is spayed, familiar with a litter box, and is not/will not be declawed. Our new home will be much closer to the road, but will have a small barn and 2-acre yard (no farm). She kills mice, shrews, voles, etc. on the regular. How do I keep her predatory spirit alive without nature's smorgasbord? What considerations should be made in transitioning her from outdoor to indoor? And how do I best reduce her stress? Thank you for your help.

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS. We have some articles that might be helpful in transitioning Makita (love her name) to an indoor only kitty. Here are the links:

How To Move With Your Cat To A New Home In A Safe Way
The Five Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside
How To Prevent Your Cat From Darting Out The Door
How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats)
Bored Cat? What Cat Owners Need To Know (including 10 Actionable Tips)
Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know

 

[FelisCatus]

Since she is used to eating full on prey, if it is in your budget you should look into a raw food diet.

As for keeping her hunting spirit alive, besides toys that require your interaction, you could also look into automatic ones.

Some toy suggestions:
-Cat’s Meow Motorized Wand ($30 CAD at my local PetSmart) it has various speed settings and runs for 30 mins before shuttint off.

-Extending fishing rod style toy (~$10 for a higher quality one). The one I got extends to 44 inches and it drives my cats absolutely crazy they love it. When I twirl it around it sounds/looks just like a bird flying. I cannot remember the brand but Jackson Galaxy brand ones are probably the same.

Best of luck!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Not sure if it is in one of the articles that rubysmama included above, but you could also consider making/buying a catio. Let's your cat be outside but in the confines of your yard. Can't help you with the 'prey replacement' matter though.

 

[Cats and Bees]

Hi. Not sure if it is in one of the articles that rubysmama included above, but you could also consider making/buying a catio. Let's your cat be outside but in the confines of your yard. Can't help you with the 'prey replacement' matter though.

I had the same thought. My guys did bring a vole in one night.

 

[rubysmama]

Not sure if it is in one of the articles that rubysmama included above, but you could also consider making/buying a catio. Let's your cat be outside but in the confines of your yard.

We have articles on catios/enclosures too.

Catio Incoming
Cat Enclosures

Also: Why You Should Never Let Your Cat Hunt

 

[ArchyCat]

She will need a vet visit when you do bring her in. She probably will have one or more types of intestinal parisites. Plus being defleaed.

Thank you for making her an indoor cat. That's the best thing that can happen to an outdoor cat!

 

[Luna6]

I like the catio idea that a few people mentioned!

I also wanted to add that if you decide not to let her outside at all anymore to be really careful of open windows and places she can escape. My neighbor had her window open and her cat tore through the screen and escaped! Luckily, he was found. But if she's used to being an outdoor cat, she might be looking for ways to get outside at first.

 

[LittleShadow]

My formerly outdoor only gal loves her catio, so here's another vote for the catio! We simply fastened horse wire to the outside of the supports for the back patio, making sure to leave no gaps anywhere, with liberal use of wire cutters, u shaped nails, zip ties, and of course the wire. Was actually fairly cheap, under $200 all told.