Transitioning Your Indoor Cat To Enjoy The Great Outdoors

Cats can be happy and healthy living indoors, but many owners wonder if their indoor cats are missing out on the fun and stimulation of the outdoors. While outdoor cats are at a much higher risk of contracting parasites, diseases, or infections, there are ways to let indoor cats experience the outside world safely. Here are some tips on how to make the transition and keep your cat safe.

Provide a sanctuary room

Providing a sanctuary room is an essential step in helping your cat adjust to a new environment. This room acts as a retreat where the cat can go whenever it feels overwhelmed, ensuring a stress-free transition. Here are some tips to create a sanctuary room for your cat:

Choose the Right Room

Select a space that can be easily closed off from the rest of the house to prevent accidental escapes. A spare bedroom, office, or bathroom can work well. Ensure the room has windows to provide natural light and allow your cat to observe the outside world.

Create a Calm Environment

Minimize noise and activity in the area, as sudden loud sounds or excessive foot traffic can distress cats. Use white noise machines or soothing music to create a serene atmosphere and mask other sounds.

Provide Essentials

Place a clean litter box in a corner, ensuring it is easily accessible and away from food and resting areas. Set up food and water bowls in a separate area, providing fresh water and a balanced diet suitable for your cat's age and health needs. Offer comfortable bedding, such as a cozy bed or soft blankets, and consider providing a hiding place if your cat is nervous.

Scratching Posts and Toys

Provide a scratching post or pad to satisfy your cat's natural instinct to scratch and stretch. Include a selection of toys to keep them mentally stimulated during their adjustment period.

Gradual Introductions

Once your cat has settled into the sanctuary room, allow them to explore the rest of the house gradually. Open the door and let them venture out at their own pace, monitoring their behavior for any signs of anxiety or stress. Create positive associations with other parts of the house by leaving treats and toys in various rooms.

Patience and Bonding

Every cat is unique, and the time required to feel comfortable in a new home can vary. Be patient and allow your cat to set the pace for building trust and forming a bond. Spend quiet moments in the sanctuary room, offering gentle interaction and treats to help them associate your presence with positive experiences. Never force interactions, as this will delay the bonding process.

Secure windows and doors

If your cat has front claws, keeping your doors and windows shut during the transition period is the safest option. However, there are ways to keep your cat safe by controlling how much your windows can open.

Firstly, always close the windows when you are not at home. Even if you are at home, close the windows if you are briefly unable to supervise your cat, such as when you are taking a shower or running an errand. Be aware of any launching pads that your cat can use to jump towards a window, such as a table or a chair. Many cats are highly reactive to motion, so keep anything within seven feet of a window out of reach.

To prevent your cat from opening doors, install a door knob instead of a handle, or turn the handle 90 degrees upwards. You can also clicker train your cat to wait in front of the door until you walk through.

To prevent your cat from opening windows, use mechanisms to restrict how far your windows can open, such as a window wedge stopper or a suction cup window stopper. Install a hinged wedge lock or a chain lock with the longest screws available for maximum security. Alternatively, install a guard in front of the windows, such as a mesh window guard or a net.

Provide vertical climbing spaces

Providing vertical climbing spaces is essential to ensure your cat remains happy and healthy. This is especially important if you own multiple cats, as cats experience great stress when asked to share limited space with other felines.

Height gives cats a sense of comfort and security. In the wild, cats rarely rest on the ground, instead seeking higher ground or a hidey-hole. Being up high allows cats to survey their surroundings from a comfortable distance, without the fear of ambush. Vertical space also allows cats to be apart from other cats or individuals if they choose. They are solitary hunters and have protective mechanisms to maintain their physical health and avoid danger.

There are many ways to provide vertical climbing spaces for your cat. You can purchase a cat tree, or, if you're crafty, build your own DIY kitty condo out of cardboard concrete forms, two-by-fours, PVC pipe, sisal rope, and carpet remnants. You can also repurpose a bookshelf, or install shelves from a home goods store. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even build a cat tree from a fallen tree branch and store-bought sisal rope.

When placing your cat's climbing spaces, think like a cat. Where are the best views in your home? Where does the sun shine the most gloriously? You’ll likely have the best luck placing your cat tree against a wall and near a window, or in a corner (with a sweet vantage point of your home). Cats love corners, as they feel more secure with their backs against a wall, and two walls are better than one.

If your cat is reluctant to use their new climbing space, don't despair. Sprinkle some catnip on it, place a few tasty treats on the shelves, and play with your cat with a wand toy near the space, enticing them to jump up.

Keep your cat busy during the day

Keeping your cat entertained and stimulated throughout the day is crucial for their overall well-being. Here are some ways to keep your cat busy during the day:

Create a "Fun Zone"

Designate a special space for your cat to play and explore. This could be an entire room, a corner, or even just a window. Set up a cat tree, cat scratchers, or a window perch to allow your cat to climb, scratch, and observe the outdoors. You can also build a sitting shelf on the inside ledge of your windowsill or purchase one from a pet store. A bird feeder placed outside the window can provide endless entertainment for your cat. If you're feeling crafty, you can create an enclosure that extends from the open window, giving your cat an even better view of the outside world.

Puzzle Feeders and Interactive Toys

Turn mealtimes into an enriching activity by using puzzle feeders and interactive toys. These devices dispense small amounts of food when your cat interacts with them, stimulating their hunting instincts and providing mental exercise. You can also make your own DIY treat dispensers by stuffing treats inside empty toilet paper rolls or cardboard boxes with small holes. As your cat plays with these homemade toys, they will be rewarded with treats, creating a fun and challenging experience.

Play Hide-and-Seek

Engage your cat's hunting abilities by playing a game of hide-and-seek. Hide small treats or toys around the house for your cat to discover. You can also scatter their meals in different locations, encouraging them to explore and satisfy their curiosity. This activity provides an interactive and rewarding experience for your cat, especially when they are home alone.

Play with a Cat Teaser

Engage in interactive play sessions with your cat using a cat teaser or wand toy. Mimic prey behavior by moving the toy along walls and under furniture. This type of play encourages jumping, pouncing, and chasing, allowing your cat to release energy and express their natural hunting instincts. Aim to play with your cat at least once a day, providing both mental and physical exercise.

Music for Cats

If your cat enjoys listening to music, you can play soothing tunes while you're away. Classical music, soft piano, and string instruments can create a calming atmosphere for your feline friend. You can also explore meditation music designed specifically for cats, providing a relaxing auditory experience in your absence.

Provide regular interactive play

Providing regular interactive play is essential for your cat's physical and mental well-being. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as:

• Using a cat teaser to play with your cat at least once a day. Try to mimic prey behaviour, such as scuttling along walls and moving under furniture.
• Playing hide-and-seek with your cat by hiding small treats or toys around the house for them to find.
• Creating an indoor cat play area with shelves, perches, cat tunnels, skywalks, and stairways for your cat to climb, explore, and lounge.
• Using puzzle feeders and interactive toys that dispense small amounts of food when your cat interacts with them, stimulating their hunting instincts.
• Taking advantage of vertical spaces by installing cat trees, wall-mounted shelves, or providing sturdy, carpeted perches for your cat to climb and explore from different perspectives.
• Building a "catio" or outdoor cat enclosure if you have the space, allowing your cat to experience the outdoors safely while engaging with nature. Catios can include perches, climbing structures, and interactive toys.

It is important to observe your cat's preferences and adjust their play and enrichment activities accordingly to ensure they are getting the mental and physical stimulation they need.

Frequently asked questions