How to Change Indoor Cats to Outdoor Cats
Sometimes making indoor cats into outdoor cats is the only solution to intractable litter box problems or to relieve a family member who has developed allergies. Even front-declawed cats can live safely outdoors, as long as they're fed every day. But the transition from house to yard won't happen overnight. Changing indoor cats to outdoor cats takes time and patience.
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Things You'll Need
- Cold weather shelter
- Straw for the shelter
- Feeding station
- Lawn chair cushions or cat beds
- Cat door
Instructions
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Creating an Outdoor Environment
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Set up a shelter so the cats will be warm and dry in bad weather. You can build a shelter or use a small igloo doghouse or a large plastic storage tub (see Resources).
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If you use a storage tub, cut cat-size holes in the front and back so the cats will have both an entrance and an emergency exit.
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Put straw in the shelter. Straw is warmer than blankets and stays dry.
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Build a covered feeding station or use a plastic storage tub with large holes cut in two sides (see Resources). The feeding station will keep the cats' food dry in wet weather.
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Provide soft places to sleep by putting cushions or cat beds on some of your lawn chairs. Remember, your cats are used to sleeping on your bed or the sofa. They'll miss that when they're living in your yard.
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Install a cat door if possible, so the cats will have access to part of the house or the garage in very bad weather.
Making the Transition
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Consider updating your cats' vaccinations. It's unlikely that they'll get rabies or feline leukemia while living outside, but you might want to take that extra precaution. Do not vaccinate for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): Cats that have been vaccinated test positive even if they don't have the disease.
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If your cats have never been outside, they'll be frightened at first. Go out with them the first few times. Leave a door propped open so they know they can get back in if they need to.
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When the cats are comfortable being outside with you, let them start going out alone. Gradually extend their outdoor time. When they want to come in, let them wait a few minutes before opening the door. As time passes, they'll be willing to stay out for longer periods.
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Begin serving the cats' meals in the feeding station. Try to feed the cats at the same time every day so they know what to expect.
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When the transition is complete, spend time with the cats outside. You want them to know that although their living arrangements are different, they haven't been abandoned.
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Tips & Warnings
If your cats are going to be living outside in a new location, keep them confined for two weeks. That's about how long it takes for a cat to recognize a new location as its food source and home.
If your cats have never been outdoors, they might feel safer as outside cats if they have an outdoor enclosure.
Don't assume that your former house cats can survive outside if you drop them off unannounced at the nearest barn or feral cat colony's feeding station. Cats who have always lived inside are not accomplished hunters. And the cats who already live in the barn or with the colony will most likely chase them off.
References
Resources
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Comments
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very helpful. going to be sooooooo difficult for me to do but it must be done. now where is the article on how I make the transition lol.
