I'm asking for my sister-in-law. My brother died a few months ago and she will be moving from their big house in the country to an apartment closer to where she works. She asked me for ideas on helping her 14 yr old cat make the change from going in and out the pet door at will, to being in an apartment all day. Sis sometimes works long hours depending on the current work assignment. The cat was feral when they found her many years ago and is a hunter at heart. She is used to catching and eating mice, etc. She is spayed and litter box trained. I told her to get the cat microchipped and put a collar with a plastic tag on it. The cat hadn't liked the metal tag clanging against a food dish, etc, so they didn't make her wear it. Now, obviously, she's going to have to, just in case she gets outside. I am sure there must be more suggestions. Is this do-able? I hope so.

At fourteen, it really shouldn't be all that tough. Hardly a wild young kitty that should be wanting to roam. She needs to provide toys and play time and stuff for kitty to climb... and I should think pheremones, maybe a diffuser, would be a good idea at first. A sunny spot (such as a shelf in a window) to sleep is also likely to be helpful.

Try getting a collar with the identification information on the collar instead of having a tag hanging off the collar. I would also get her a small crate while she is still at her house. Just leave the door open to the crate so she can come and go as she pleases. Feed her some treats in it every day. Once they move, she will have a familiar place to hide (the crate) just in case she is frightened. I agree that at 14 it shouldn't be too much of a difficult transition. Toys are a great idea but be careful of any toy that she could become entangled in while alone.

It is definitely do-able and recommended. Indoor cats live longer than outside cats. We have had many feral cats which were turned into strictly indoor cats. When she moves, if she never lets the cat out, it will adjust quickly. If the cat tries to run outside, tell her to rattle a set of keys at the cat to scare it away from the door. It needs to fear the door. It will be way easier than she thinks. All cats are hunters at heart, but at 14 the cat will adjust fine and she won't have to worry. We currently have a male cat who was a feral tomcat (and a fighter). He lives with us in our MH and once he got neutered, he quickly adjusted to being inside. He behaved himself from the beginning and turned into a nice kitty who no longer fights other cats.

I agree with all of the above. I can't imagine it would be a huge deal to convince a 14-yo cat to stay inside.She could get a collar with information embroidered on it if that is do-able for such a small collar as a cat would need. Alternatively, get a flat tag that fits onto the collar like these. Each of my cats has been wearing one of those flat collar tags for almost ten years now and the tags haven't budged. Cats should never wear dangling tags.

Please make sure the collar is a break-away collar so if she does get hung up on something, the collar will unclasp rather than kitty hanging with bad results.

Changing cat from indoor/outdoor to indoor only

Opie431
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
I would have said it was impossible until a month ago.
Ten years ago a neighbor began to feed a cat that showed up. He fed him for four years and died. his wife took over and than we took over when she became ill. Cat would never come in anyones house. We were gone to much and the man next door took over feeding him. The weather turned awful a month ago and when he opened the door to feed the cat, it scooted into his house. Buster has been an indoor cat ever since. Perhaps he was an indoor cat ten years ago but for the last ten years he had been an outdoor cat.
And our Opie was an indoor-outdoor cat when we adopted him. He learned that he was not allowed outside unless he was on a leash after several months and did not try to get out altho we watched carefully to make sure he did not get out at campgrounds unless he was tied up.
CA_POPPY
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
Thanks for all the ideas, I will pass them along. Part of the problem is that my brother had been ill and unable to work for some time and SIL is worried that the kitty will be lonesome. I know the cat already misses his presence as bro was a bigtime cat lover. But we have to resist the urge to humanize pets in our minds. My own old cat seems to fill any available hours with sleep or looking out the window. I'll bet this one will do just as well.
Code2High
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
Another way to teach the cat not to rush the door is to give treats in a spot near where you enter and exit. Each time at first and then after the behavior is established, taper off if desired. Something high value. This works amazingly well, unless you have a really dedicated escape artist. Creating the expectation of a tasty treat when you walk in will do a lot to counter the temptation of an open door.
buta4
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
Another thing about outdoor cats. Notice that they'll nibble on grass from time to time? Try growing some of your own "Cat Grass" indoors for the kitty to nibble on. Helps them to adjust to indoor lifestyle just that little bit more. And don't forget catnip!
:)
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2013
My cat has made that adjustment several times, depending on where we're at. During each of the 'indoor' periods, I keep a spray bottle just outside the door of the RV, ready to spray water just as soon as I start opening the door if she's poised to run out as I'm coming in. After a few weeks, I don't have to worry about her anymore, or at least not every time I open the door.
Go_Dogs
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
Try a different type of collar. There are lots of crazy cat toys in the stores. I would get some to substitute for the live mice. Bear in mind that an older cat in a new environment may 'mark' their territory. I would offer a few litter pans in different rooms, to see where the cat prefers to go.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2013
Please make sure the collar is a break-away collar so if she does get hung up on something, the collar will unclasp rather than kitty hanging with bad results.
Pawz4me
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
I agree with all of the above. I can't imagine it would be a huge deal to convince a 14-yo cat to stay inside.

She could get a collar with information embroidered on it if that is do-able for such a small collar as a cat would need. Alternatively, get a flat tag that fits onto the collar like these. Each of my cats has been wearing one of those flat collar tags for almost ten years now and the tags haven't budged. Cats should never wear dangling tags.
Klueck
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
It is definitely do-able and recommended. Indoor cats live longer than outside cats. We have had many feral cats which were turned into strictly indoor cats. When she moves, if she never lets the cat out, it will adjust quickly. If the cat tries to run outside, tell her to rattle a set of keys at the cat to scare it away from the door. It needs to fear the door. It will be way easier than she thinks. All cats are hunters at heart, but at 14 the cat will adjust fine and she won't have to worry. We currently have a male cat who was a feral tomcat (and a fighter). He lives with us in our MH and once he got neutered, he quickly adjusted to being inside. He behaved himself from the beginning and turned into a nice kitty who no longer fights other cats.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
Try getting a collar with the identification information on the collar instead of having a tag hanging off the collar. I would also get her a small crate while she is still at her house. Just leave the door open to the crate so she can come and go as she pleases. Feed her some treats in it every day. Once they move, she will have a familiar place to hide (the crate) just in case she is frightened. I agree that at 14 it shouldn't be too much of a difficult transition. Toys are a great idea but be careful of any toy that she could become entangled in while alone.