How to wean a cat off the street in a few steps

Sooner or later, most cat owners have a question: what to do if the cat sits on the windowsill for hours, looking out the window, constantly yells at the front door, demanding to open it, tries to slip through the slightest crack when one of the owners goes out onto the balcony and does he show with all his actions how much he wants to go outside? First of all, it is worth determining the reason that pushes a domestic cat, surrounded by care and affection, always having a sufficient supply of tasty food, to look for adventures in new and dangerous places. Only after this, having weighed all the pros and cons, can you decide whether it is worth following the animal’s lead and giving it freedom to walk from time to time.

Free walks: pros and cons

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Each owner decides for himself, but upon closer examination there are not many reasons to let the cat out the door. Yes, there is a lot of fun outside, like climbing trees, hunting birds and relationships with other cats (including fights, of course). In addition, there is no need to spend money on a tray and filler, or time on entertaining the animal.

Be honest, maybe the main reason you still allow him to go for walks is the fear that it will be too difficult to wean him off?

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At the same time, the arguments against are beyond doubt:

The risk of getting hit by a car or accidentally being poisoned by poison scattered by animal opponents.
Infections and parasites, from which regular vaccinations do not always protect.
Unwanted pregnancies, if we are talking about a cat, and the need to place kittens.
Colds, sexually transmitted diseases, injuries from fights – does this list really need to be continued?
In the end, a purebred cat can simply be stolen.

We managed to convince you? Well, let's think about what to do next.

Pros and cons of walking outside

Many owners will be indignant, because weaning a cat from walking outside means taking away freedom, depriving them of pleasure, etc. Let's not talk theoretically, let's look at the facts, then the conclusions are up to you.

Pros (real and illusory) of walking outside:

Encouraging independence is the main argument imposed on us from childhood: “The cat walks on its own.” Let’s not argue, the character of cats is truly independent, but consistency, a sense of stability and security are more important for a pet.

Activity – outdoors the cat can run, climb trees, and hunt.

Communication – there are stray cats on the street with whom a pet can communicate, mate, and play.

Ultraviolet - in summer, cats love to bask in the sun's rays on the warm ground.

Mental activity - there are many interesting things outside that a cat will not find at home. By nature, pets are very curious and are interested in walking outside.

A riot of instincts - a cat is a nocturnal predator and only when free can it fully express its potential.

The cat can mark the territory and the house will not smell bad.

A cat can scratch anything, sharpen its claws, but the furniture and wallpaper will remain intact.

It's time to name the disadvantages of walking outside. The problem is that the disadvantages follow from the advantages, but not everyone thinks about this. Whatever your reasoning for letting your pet outside, carefully weigh all the possible options.

Encouraging independence - walking outside is not the best option in this matter. For a pet, a constant daily schedule is preferable, consisting of sleeping in a warm, safe place, eating balanced food, communicating with the owner and active games.

Activity – in order for a cat to play and run, it does not have to be outside. Think about how to entertain your pet, buy toys for him, make a play complex.

Communication - communication with stray animals is often fraught with fights, infection with worms and blood-sucking parasites... or do you think that stray cats welcome guests? However, cats are territorial animals. The male (or female) guarding the territory will chase the newcomer until he gives up his attempts to return. Mating with stray animals is a threat of contracting hidden sexually transmitted infections and a significant contribution to increasing the number of stray, unwanted animals. If you are worried that your cat is lonely, you can get a second cat or give him more attention.

Ultraviolet - it is really important for cats to bask in the sun, but they can do this on the windowsill, at home, in safety. The grass that cats eat outside can be inseminated with worm eggs, sprayed with poison, or poisonous. It is easier and safer to plant grass for your pet at home.

Mental activity - cats are indeed very curious, they love to look out the window and explore new objects, but do they need to go outside for this? You can provide your pet with new toys by replacing them. When a cat sits on the windowsill and looks out the window, it does not need to be distracted. If you have a very temperamental pet, you can buy him interactive toys.

A riot of instincts is the most common reason for the death of cats on the streets. Instinctively, the cat runs away from the dog, climbs a tree... and cannot get down or falls on the electrical wiring. Instinctively, the cat will fight for the cat and will be seriously injured. Instinctively, if frightened, a cat can hide and not come out of the shelter until completely exhausted. The cat instinctively hunts, which is fraught with poisoning and infection with very dangerous parasites.

Problems with marks are solved by castration .

Problems with scratching wallpaper and furniture - with a scratching post.

Consider spaying or neutering

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Does the very thought fill you with horror? Are you afraid that after the operation the cat will become fat, lethargic and lazy, and will never be able to forgive you? That's in vain!

It’s time to finally stop believing common myths and understand that most cats tolerate castration and sterilization very well, completely recovering from anesthesia and shock within a couple of weeks.

According to statistics, sterilized animals live longer than their “normal counterparts” and are less sick and nervous. In addition, not having to look for a sexual partner is a strong argument for staying at home.

The cat asks to go outside: what to do?

Every owner must make the final decision about walking their pet at their own peril and risk. There are both adherents of the “walking” lifestyle of a pet and its ardent opponents, and both provide a whole list of weighty arguments in favor of their point of view. Proponents of periodic walks use the following arguments:

A walk allows the cat to fully express its activity.
Provides the opportunity for full communication with representatives of its own species.
A cat can satisfy hunting instincts.
Fresh air and sunlight are good for the animal's health, and walks in winter can strengthen the immune system.
Walking is the best cure for boredom.
If a cat asks to go outside, what to do? The owner has taken responsibility for the animal and is obliged to satisfy all its needs and desires.

Unfortunately, opponents of a cat’s free life have no less arguments:

The cat is at risk of contracting viral or infectious diseases, as well as rabies.
Almost one hundred percent probability of the appearance of helminths, fleas and other parasites.
Risk of injury in conflicts with other animals.
The risk of not finding your way home.
Possibility of getting hit by a car.
Likelihood of being mistreated by people.
For cats that have not undergone sterilization, there is a high probability of producing unwanted offspring.

If the cat wants to go outside and the owner has decided to meet the wishes of his pet, it should be remembered that there will be no turning back. Once a cat has tasted the delights of freedom, it is very difficult to return it to a completely domestic life.

Create comfortable conditions

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To provide a cat at home with the same level of activity that he received outside, you need to buy a lot of toys or, if space and finances allow, a whole training complex.

For a cat accustomed to exploring basements and nearby courtyards, lying on the couch around the clock will seem too boring. So don’t be lazy, devote more time to her, especially in the first days of imprisonment, in order to distract attention and tire her with active actions.

Laser pointer, balls, mechanical mice, tunnels - all options are good.

If before this the cat only went to the toilet outside, you will have to accustom it to the litter box. Be patient, this will take some time.

Be sure to add sprouted grass to your animal’s diet to ensure that the body receives the necessary vitamins.

Ways to wean a cat off the street

If the owner has firmly decided to turn a freedom-loving animal into a purring pet, then he will have to radically change the pet’s behavioral habits and its psychology.

Undoubtedly, indoor confinement will at first be perceived as “house arrest,” and a cat accustomed to walking on its own will protest, get nervous, and persistently ask to be freed.

For the idea of “domestication” to be successful, first of all, additional measures are needed to correct the interior, namely:

It is necessary to install strong mosquito nets or bars on the windows so that the mustachioed one cannot dive into the window or squeeze through the gap when the windows are open in ventilation mode. Having a cat within a closed balcony will brighten up the adaptation period, but if there is an open balcony, it is necessary to exclude the pet from access there.
To reduce the cat’s desire to scratch the front or balcony door, jump on it and loudly lament about its plight, it is necessary to make the door an unpleasant and even frightening object. For these purposes, they use repellent sprays from pet stores, applying the contents of the container to the door leaf, laying out fresh citrus zest nearby, or simply stopping the cat’s decisive actions by spraying a stream of water from a spray bottle into its face, clapping their hands, or expressing their disapproval with a loud shout. If the cat knows how to open the door on its own by pressing the handle, then it is recommended to place a small light box with dry peas on top, and as soon as the tailed smart guy pulls the handle, the peas will begin to bombard from above without physically causing harm.
To diversify the cat's leisure time, purchase various toys, a play complex with hammocks, hanging shelves, multi-level houses and teasers, as well as scratching posts of various configurations. So that the pet does not get bored and can realize its hunting instincts, the owner must allocate about an hour of time every day for active games and fun with the cat, training and practicing tricks. A splash of energy in the right direction and the development of good manners will prevent such unwanted manifestations of cat protest as torn curtains, scratched furniture and torn wallpaper.
An “arrested” cat who is upset will need a secluded corner where he can calm down and fall asleep. Such a personal space can be a comfortable bed, a closed frame house or a soft “burrow-tunnel”. It is strictly forbidden to disturb an animal that has entered its den.
In order to train to the toilet within an apartment, it is necessary to purchase a tray of a suitable size and wood filler that is as close as possible to natural litter. Felinologists recommend installing 2-3 trays in different places, giving the cat the opportunity to independently choose the most suitable place. The main rule is that the toilet area should not be located close to the cat’s dining room or sleeping area.

Think about security

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Accept: even if you provide ideal conditions at home, at first you will be faced with heart-rending screams and demands to be released. The cat simply does not understand why what was allowed yesterday suddenly became forbidden today. It will take time, and the time frame is different for each animal.

The first thing to do is hang mosquito nets on the windows so that the cat cannot jump out or fall out. This also applies to the balcony if it is glazed. If the balcony is open, just don’t let the cat out on it at first.

The door is a little more difficult, cats are very cunning and intelligent animals, and a stubborn one may try to sneak in when someone leaves or enters the house. Be careful not to open the door too quickly.

What attracts the street to a cat

Cats are freedom-loving and curious animals; in addition, on the street they can fully demonstrate their hunting abilities, communicate with their own kind and satisfy the instinct of procreation.

A domestic cat, raised in an apartment from a young age, asks to go outside rather out of curiosity and, in most cases, the entire walk ends with exploring the landing. If a domestic cat wants to go outside, you can let him out into the area for a short time under the supervision of the owners, but you should be very careful, since an unfamiliar loud sound (a slamming door, a sharp shout), the appearance of a noisy company, or a dog being taken out for a walk can scare the animal away.

At the same time, sitting by the window for a long time or meowing under the door does not always indicate that the cat is asking to go outside. On the window, the cat can simply bask in the sun, looking with interest at flying birds, people and animals walking on the street, and the request to open the door indicates ordinary curiosity - after sticking its muzzle out for a moment into the slightly opened crack and examining the territory, the cat immediately returns to its everyday activities.