How to Train Your Cat to Remain Indoors

Cats love being outdoors, but traffic hazards, other animals, disease and other factors make the world at large a hazardous place. You can train your cat to remain inside and help him to remain happier and healthier in the process.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• Cat toys
• Scratching posts
• Catnip

Instructions

1. Secure any exits, as cats can be very cunning. A few seconds with an open door is all they need to make a break for it. Keep a spray bottle of water handy, and spray the cat with it if he gets too near an exit.

2. Make the indoor area as interesting as possible. Provide toys, scratching posts and play areas laced with catnip. If an indoor environment is stimulating, then the cat's urge to explore elsewhere may diminish. Climbing trees and high perches make especially good spots, allowing the cat to feel secure and watch the indoor area from above.

3. Clear off windowsills and similar areas, so your cat can look outside. An indoor cat may want to watch the birds or sun himself in a pleasant area. Windowsills with spots for perching--especially those high up or on a second story--help him engage with the outdoors, without having to spend time there.

4. Mix outdoor dirt into the litter box, as it may take time to train an outdoor cat to use the litter box indoors. Start by lining it with dirt from your backyard or another familiar outdoor area. Over time, gradually mix it with cat litter, using greater amounts until the box is entirely full of litter.

5. Take time to play with your cat. If you want to train him to remain indoors, you must keep the environment stimulating and interesting. Set aside 20 minutes or so each day to bait the cat with string, catnip-laced toys or dangling lines that he can stalk and chase.

6. Provide a companion. Indoor cats invariably benefit from fellow felines that help make their lives more interesting. A second cat from a local pound or shelter not only provides a stimulating environment, but may also help the cat socialize more readily.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're worried about your cat getting out, make sure he has a collar or another tracking device with contact information. It will help him stay safer and let you track him down.

• If your cat must go outside, consider letting him out on a harness or in a sealed enclosure, such as a porch or greenhouse. This allows him to pad about happily, but keeps his roaming limited to safe areas.

• Be aware that some cats take time to get used to a second animal. They may hiss or yowl, and fighting may be evident. Younger cats tend to adapt more readily than older ones, and most indoor animals will grow more tolerant over time when they realize they aren't competing for food.