How to Raise an Indoor/Outdoor Cat

Cats are naturally attracted to the outdoors. In addition to the fresh air and sunshine, they love to interact with other backyard creatures. Unfortunately, there are also reasons cats shouldn't be free to roam whenever they please. Dangers such as poisons, automobiles, rabid animals and even humans make it necessary to keep a cat safely indoors, at least part of the time. Since cats are creatures of habit, you need to start early if you want to raise an indoor/outdoor cat.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Spend time with a young cat when they're outdoors and try to keep them contained to a deck or backyard. Interacting and playing with them will hold their interest in going where you go and eventually they'll develop a habit of going out and remaining in an area they're familiar with.

2. Get your cat vaccinated regularly and develop a health routine conducive to outdoor living. In other words, don't think you cat can't get fleas or abscesses because they spend most of their time indoors.

3. Feed your cat indoors. Not only does setting food outside attract other unwanted animals, it eliminates a reason for your cat to come inside. If you want to control your cat's time spent in the out of doors, do it by controlling his food.

4. Bring your cat in at night. That seems to be the most hazardous time for pets to be outside either due to wild animals or humans that mean to do them harm.

5. Develop a routine by letting your cat out at a certain time and having them come indoors at a certain time. As they get used to it, they will come in and go out with little to no prodding simply out of habit.

Tips & Warnings

• The safest way for a cat to enjoy the outdoors is in a screened enclosure. They can get the fresh air and sunshine they need but it limits their exposure to many dangers.
• Never have a cat's claws removed if they will be spending any time at all outdoors. There is always a chance they'll need to protect themselves, and without their claws they can't even climb a tree to get out of harm's way.

[krisbc]

on 5/19/2009 I have a kitten, and I was wondering how to keep her as a indoor cat. Thanks.