How do I keep them from going outside?

[CrazyCat]

I have 2 indoor cats. They are not supposed to go outside but one of them always waits at the door so as soon as you open the door she runs and will go hide under the deck where no one can get her. Especially since it is really cold outside now I don't want her to stay outside. Sometimes she will sit at the door and meow so she can come back in but not always. What can I do to keep her from going outside.

:cool: CrazyCat:cool:

[originalfatc]

OMG do I know about this one! My 3 year old Eric used to sneak outside and play hard to get. Usually closing door firmly and saying "Bye Eric" would get him to the door scratching to come in because then the game was over and he figured we forgot about him.

Back in October, Eric got out, wouldn't come back, was out for 20 minutes and got hit by a car! He survived with a broken hard palette and an injured eye. He no longer tries to get out.

To keep them in I do things like shoo-ing them away from door when it has to be opened, locking them in one room, or scolding and clapping when they go near door. Another suggestion is making indoors more pleasant with toys, catnip or even an aquarium for them to watch. Good luck!

[KDKK]

IS YOUR KITTY SPAYED YET?

[CrazyCat]

Yes they are! Thank goodness!

[Furbaby Mom]

I give the door a kick with my foot so if they are waiting on the inside they run off. When I open it, I will hold one hand low to catch them if they try to sneak out. Works everytime at my house!

[CrazyCat]

Thanks!

[catman1]

Try leash training.Sometimes that will solve the proplem.My cat Babba won't leave the house to go outside but when i go camping he loves to be outside.He never leaves the camping area and loves to run and play and climb trees.He can be trusted completely.I have photos if you would like to see him camping.
Catman1

[Squawksx3]

Oh catman... we'd love to see photo's of Babba camping!. How fun... Did you leash train him to stay in the campground?.

[catman1]

Babba went threw about four weeks of leash training when he was two months old.Hes 6 years old now and hasn't had a leash on since.He s always very close by and watches so i don't get lost.LOL...He follows me everywhere.He loves to go fishing.When i catch one he chases it when i get it to shore.Although he has caught a lot of small animals he has never hurt or killed one.All animals is his friends.(Except Dogs)LOL
Catman1

[CrazyCat]

Thanks. I think I'll try that.

[catman1]

CrazyCat heres babba relaxed and resting .
catman

[CrazyCat]

That cat is absolutely adorable. Do you know what breed he is?
CrazyCat

[catman1]

. Do you know what breed he is?
CrazyCat
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
No i don't CrazyCat.He has some unusal markings on him.I would say difenitly a Tabby with a Raccoon tail.There may be some Maine Coon there to.He is very healthy,strong and disciplined.Very easy to trust and seams to want to do things that makes me proud of him.He is also one of the most intelligent animals i have ever seen.
catman

[CrazyCat]

Try checking Ragdolls. I used to have one and it is part of their nature to not want to go far from home. He looked like he might be able to be one or partially one.

[catman1]

Try checking Ragdolls. I used to have one and it is part of their nature to not want to go far from home. He looked like he might be able to be one or partially one.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Never ever heard of that breed.I'm sure he can't be that.Hes a new breed called the Washington Coon.LOL
Lou

[CrazyCat]

That's interesting. I have never heard of a Washington Coon. Look up Ragdolls though just so you can see what they look like. You'll probably see why I thought that. They are gorgeous cats.

[catman1]

That's interesting. I have never heard of a Washington Coon. Look up Ragdolls though just so you can see what they look like. You'll probably see why I thought that. They are gorgeous cats.
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I sure will CrazyCat.I am ask that question a lot and maybe Cascade Coon would be more what he is.He was born in the foot hills of the Cascade mountains.I even ask him and all he says is MEOW. LOL

[CrazyCat]

Ha Ha Ha. That is very funny.

[CrazyCat]

Well, I haven't seen much of an up-close pic of him but is this kinda what he looks like? I got this off of google. It is a Cascade Coon.
http://img16.photobucket.com/albums/v47/CatCrazy/PatriarcaSilkoonCascade.jpg

[catman1]

Thanks CrazyCat.I didn't even know there was such a breed.Theres some featuresthat are the same but the color is close but different.I been trying to post sme close ups but been rejected so far because they say there to big.I have to figure how to make the photos smaller.Let me try one.

[CrazyCat]

WOW!!! That is gorgeous! Did you take that?!?!?!

[catman1]

WOW!!! That is gorgeous! Did you take that?!?!?!

.................................................. .......
Oh Yea.It was taken with a old F1 Cannon.I love to take pictures with old cameras.I haven't been able to post some of my best photos yet but i'm working on it.
Catman (Lou)

[CrazyCat]

I would love to see some more of your lovely pics!

[catman1]

CrazyCat this one is one of my favorites.
Lou

[CrazyCat]

That is so awesome! I need to get myself a good camera!

[catman1]

I got a digital but i have never used it.One of these days i got to find out how to use it.
Cannon has a EO series out and there a darn fine camera.You may want t go to EBAY and invest in a old Cannon there.Theres so many good cameras out now.Your point and shot cameras take beautful pictures to.Thats what most people use.Make sure you use the right film for what your shooting.I use a lot of 400 ISO because its a good all around film.
Lou

[Muppyluver]

ya i have 6 cats and 3 dogs so when i letthe dogs out, my cat Ziggy goes out. so i try not to let hom so i pick him up before opening the door

[CrazyCat]

Thanks,
By the Way: WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[catman1]

ya i have 6 cats and 3 dogs so when i letthe dogs out, my cat Ziggy goes out. so i try not to let hom so i pick him up before opening the door

..............................................
First Welcome to the boards.
You may want to give Ziggy some leash training.Put a collar on him first with your name and address on it and let him get used to it.Then if you want put a leash on him.He sure won't like it but he will accept it after awhile.

[DeeH]

Hi Crazy Cat,
Saw the picture of your beautiful cat BaBa. BaBa could be a Maine Coone??! I have an adapted Maine Coone. Her name is Tasha Marie, have had her going on 5 years now. She was found on a country road. She too has the raccoon striped tail. Does your BaBa have silky hair that doesn't matt like other long haired cats?
My Tasha also goes outside on a leash. She gets herself tangled up sometimes in our bushes, but she loves it outside. I wouldn't trust her unleashed. We live in the woods (in dreary old Wisconsin) and we have too many critters in the woods that she would think she is "big Hunter" and get herself lost trying to catch either a possum, coon, squirrel, or whatever. Well, if I knew how to send "pictures" I would let you see my cat, but don't know how to do that yet. Bye Bye DeeH

[CrazyCat]

Thanks DeeH,
Baba is actually Lou's cat "catman1" He is the one with the beautiful Baba.

~CrazyCat

[catman1]

Does your BaBa have silky hair that doesn't matt like other long haired cats?
My Tasha also goes outside on a leash.
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Dee Bubba s dosen't mat up either.Hes brushed a lot and his fur is so soft and silky i love to hold him.
Bubba went threw leash training when he was 6 months old and believe he didn't like it.He did get used to it and i stopped putting him on a leash after about a month of him using one off and on.We do a lot of camping and he runs loose and never leaves our camping area.He loves to climb trees and follows me everywhere.He comes and goes out of the camper at his choice and can be trusted 100%.
At home he never leaves the house and will go as far as the door but will not go outside.With the traffic i think he sences danger.
In the winter i take him to the park and he runs and plays in the snow.I wish i could run like him but hes to fast for me.
Bubbas going on six now and has never had a leash back on for five years.Cats are super intelligent and will communicate with you if you try and understand them.Me and him talk to each other all the time.Yes i am alright and not crazy.LOL

[catman1]

Dee one other thing all animals are not the same so and will react differently.They have different personalities just like humans so you would know better whats best for your pets.I always tell Bubba to watch his language when he gets mad at me.LOL

[ratty]

There is usually not a good way to train a cat. Though catman trained his, every cat is different and a different cat may not be as easily trained. It is possible that catmans' cat simply wants to be around him, and the leash training has nothing to do with it.

I let my cats go out when they want too. They'll come back in when they're ready. They'll wait outside and meow to come in. Cats are not always social. Sometimes they like being alone to do their own thing, and the outside world is perfect for doing just that. They are both spayed, so it does no harm. Then when they are ready to come in they will be in the mood for playing again.

I think it's kinda cruel to deprive cats of their natural outside surroundings. Cats weren't meant to be confined to a house. If they meow at the door they are obviously NOT happy living completely in doors. :(
~ratty~

[catman1]

. It is possible that catmans' cat simply wants to be around him, and the leash training has nothing to do with it.

..............................................
Ratty your right on that .Babba is always close to me.
Babba at home can go outside but he has never went more then a couple of feet past the door.I think he sences danger with the traffic and knows i don't want him to go outside at home.When we go camping its another story.I don't even get parked and hes by the door to go outside.He stay right around the camp site and climbs a tree or two.If i don't go out with him he comes in about every 15 minutes then goes back out.He also comes when i call him which is a minor miracle for a cat.
As far as the leash training is concerned Babba had a month of it and i think it taught him i didn't want him to wonder off.He hasn't had a leash on for 5 1/2 years.
It is true that me and him is very close and he is always close to me but i really believe that the leash training did some good.I used to train dogs a hundred years ago and thats how i taught them not to wonder off.Like you said all animals are not the same so theres never any gaurantee.
Babba is one of the most intelligent animals i ever worked with.It seams like he does a lot of things just to please me.Who else has a cat for a Butler and a good one to.LOL

[ratty]

catman1,

You're probably right. The leash probably did help to teach Babba, who,(might I add is extremely handsom) that you want him to stay around. It sounds like Babba is a great little kitty. My cat comes when I call but I doubt that she'd come back if tried to take her camping. I bet she's just waiting for a chance to get away from my dogs forever! :rolleyes:

P.S.
I just wanted to say that I always really enjoy reading your inputs in these conversations. You seem to really know what you're talking about and you're always really nice to everyone.Thanks! :)

~ratty~

[catman1]

You seem to really know what you're talking about and you're always really nice to everyone.Thanks!
.................................................. ..
I sure wish you was right but i have been wrong a lot and have learned a lot from all of you.I think every pet is a seperate challenge to have and everybody just does the best they can.You have to understand that Babba is the only pet i have now and we are all we got to keep us happy.We depend on each other a lot.You would never convince him that he is a cat and hes a pet.LOL
You know Babba plays fetch a lot well one time when we was camping i was going to teach him to go after a frisbe.What a bummer.He woldn't budge when i threw it so i went after it and put it in my mouth and was all fours to show him what i wanted him to do.That ended when the other campers started taking pictures of me and Babba was just sitting there staring and propably laughing on the inside.The moral of the story don't try and teach your cat to fetch a frisbe.
Ratty your a great person to talk to.I hope i didn't put you to sleep.LOL

[ratty]

catman1,
I agree. every animal is very unique. They all have different ways of learning. Some learn bye your acts, others by rewards and some just already know. Every pet is special and has good and bad things about them.

I've done that with my animals too. It was hilarious when I wanted to teach my dog to roll over. Luckily, nobody took pictures of me rolling over and eventually my dog did learn how.

Well, I have several pets but I don't think any of them realize that they're pets. I have 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 rats, 2 gerbils, 3 ferrets,2 rabbits, and 1 bird. My cats sit on the chairs, the dogs sleep in my bed,the rats and gerbils play cards with me on the card table, the ferrets climb in my dresser drawers,the rabbits run through my dining room, and the bird flies basically wherever he wants to. They all have the freedom of being wherever in the house they want to be and I think that really makes them feel like more than just pets, because they're not just pets, they're my best friends. :)
~ratty~

[catman1]

, because they're not just pets, they're my best friends
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WOW Ratty you have quite a family and your right there more then pets there family.You are truley a animal lover and understand them more then a lot of people.Babba knows he can do no wrong.He is always innocent no matter what he does.LOL
Theres more to animals then people realize.In a lot of ways some animals are more intelligent then humans.I know Babba is smarter then me.LOL

[ratty]

WOW Ratty you have quite a family and your right there more then pets there family.You are truley a animal lover and understand them more then a lot of people.In a lot of ways some animals are more intelligent then humans.I know Babba is smarter then me.
*************************************
Yes, they are my family. They are also the best family I have ever known. Thank you, I can tell that you are definately an animal lover too. I understand that they have feelings, good and bad, just like us, so I know they need to be treated with the same kindness that we treat humans with. I know my animals are smarter than me. I think they have a better understanding of right and wrong. They never hurt out of anger or spite, they never kill just to kill, and they never try to torture an animal, they just kill it immediately, and only because they need to eat. I also think animals understand feelings better. They seem to know when you are upset, even when you are hiding it. They are definately smarter, as far as I'm concerned. I love them so much, and no matter what you do, they will always love you too. They are my best friends. :)
~ratty~

[catman1]

. They are my best friends.
...........................................
I know Babba is the only friend i can really trust.I know when i got sick he was by my side all the time.Your family is so lucky to live with you and have a good home.Of course your lucky to have them for a family.Babba said to tell them HI.

[ratty]

everyone here says hi too. Except Lou, my bird, who is rather stubborn and still won't say anything*grin*Sounds like you and Babba are lucky to have eachother too.

I'd be nothing without my family and friends, my animals being both of these things.

I agree. You can always trust animals to keep your secrets. You can tell them anything, and they'll always listen, and will never tell a living soul.*grin*
~ratty~

[SweetBriars]

Hi All,

I know I am coming in a little late on this thread, but I hope you don't mind me posting my expriences with cats going outside.

Up until I got married, I have owned (Or have been owned by) 2 cats from the time they were kittens into adulthood.

I tried my best to keep them indoors, but no matter what I tried, each of them cleverly would get out somehow, once or twice a year.

I figure I was doing pretty good, considering how many attempts they made and after all they always came back. No problem.

Until a couple years later, that once or twice a year was not lucky enough. One of my cats did not come home. She was a wonderful, 10 year old pure white cat. (My first pet.) Gone. I looked, I put up posters, I went to pound and I asked people if they had seen her for weeks. Nobody had. She was gone.

So I tried even harder with my remaining cat. Who was 6 at the time. She didn't get out for years. Then one day my nephew came over to visit, open the door and she was gone. (uggg!!!!) I was terrified of what could happen to her.

But outside she ran whenever somebody came near her. Soon she was out of sight. She didn't come home until that night. 9 pm that night she was crying on the porch to be let in. She was covered with blood on one side of her head and I just about had a heart attach, rushing her to the vet.

Something had happen to her left eye... The vet sewed it shut and gave me medicine for her to take. 2 weeks later he open it up. She was able to keep the eye, but was blind in it. She is now 18 years old and has learned a hard lesson, and now never attempts to go out any more.

So it has been my experience that you may be lucky for years and nothing will happen to your cats or it may never happen, but if your cats get out, be prepare to face the possible heart break of what could happen.

[catman1]

So it has been my experience that you may be lucky for years and nothing will happen to your cats or it may never happen, but if your cats get out, be prepare to face the possible heart break of what could happen.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,
SweetBrairs you are so right.Theres is never a gaurantee on life or pets.I had a cat i really loved and she loved to be outside.I lived at the time in the country so i let him roam.One day he got sick so i took him to the vet to find out he was bit by a rattlesnake.I guess if we leave our pets out then we got to realize that someday we may lose them.I love Babba very much but i know going outside when we go camping is very important to him.So i guess its like worrying over a child.

[ratty]

I am so sorry about your kitties sweetbrairs.
I too had an incident in which I lost a kitty. I had an all black cat named Roarshaque, who loved being outside. I simply couldn't take it away from her. I figured, 'why not let her be out', because she would never leave the yard. We said she had 81 lives, because she seemed to be in atleast 9 places at the same time, like she was 9 different cats, each having 9 lives. Anyways, one day while I was gardening, she was chasing rocks nearby, so I didn't worry. By the time I was done gardening, I realized she wasn't there anymore. So I called her, figuring she was playing with her twin somewhere, but she didn't come. I started to get worried. I walked around the entire block searching for her. She was gone.
The next day I was out looking for her again when I heard meowing coming from under the front porch. I pulled off a couple boards and there she was! I thought she must have just gotten stuck under there. I took her inside, but then realized she was acting kind of funny, so I decided to take her to the vet, just incase. It turned out that she had been hit by a car and she had severe internal bleeding. She had a ruptured spleen and had ripped her diafram open. The vet said there was a chance that if we did surgery immediately, she could make an almost full recovery. So we had to give her the chance. In surgery, she got through the difficult part, and was just being sewed up when her heart rate fell, and they couldn't bring her back. I lost my precious baby, that I had had since the day my cat gave birth to her, to a car.

I wish to god I could keep my cats in, but I can't always. Sometimes they would get out, and I couldn't stop it. But now that they have free access to the outside world, they have decided that they for the most part prefer the indoors. I don't have to worry so much any more.
~ratty~

[catman1]

I wish to god I could keep my cats in, but I can't always. Sometimes they would get out, and I couldn't stop it. But now that they have free access to the outside world, they have decided that they for the most part prefer the indoors. I don't have to worry so much any more.
~ratty~
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Ratty its just like worrying over your kids.I know the feeling.I know even though i trust Babba completely i still worry when he goes outside when we go camping.

[ratty]

it's always nerve recking, but you have to trust them.
~ratty~

[Buster]

Catman 1 It sounds like you have a Maine Coon although I haven't seen him... But my cat who is Maine Coon is leash trained and even without his leash he stays right next to me and follows me everywhere, They are very companionable creatures..so much like dogs. Buster is about 15 pounds and growing but not an ounce of fat on him. Check out the maine coons in a cat encyclopedia...or website of cat breeds and let me know and again...I am looking to adopt another Maine Coon in the LaCrosse Wisconsin area...anyone??? Have a great 4th... Buster and Mom

[catman1]

Buster Babba was leash trained when he was six months old and has never had a leash on since.Heres a photo of him and he is much like your cat.He is very loyal and you can trust him 99.9% of the time.He is also independent and loves to camp.The 1% is for the times he will play games with me.LOL

[catman1]

Buster one other thing Babba and Me has a very strong bond and like your cat he is always by my side.He has never let me down yet.Sometimes he will hide behind a tree and then attack my legs when i walk past.I could swear hes laughing at me.
Hes one of the strongest cats i ever seen.Me and him rassle on the floor and what a battle.He also loves to climb trees and play fetch.He also made me a great butler.LOL (Works cheap to)
Like you there is so many things that our cats do to make our life better and they deserve to be spoiled and Babba is.

[ILuvMyDog]

catman1..your cat is very beautiful, I saw the pic and I fell right in love. :) Sounds like he has quite the personality. :D

[catman1]

Sounds like he has quite the personality.
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WOW...does he have a personality and is very intelligent to go with it.He is very jealous also.When i go out without him he has to smell my hands to see if i touched another animal.This is his domain and i belong to him and he lets me know that to.One day a dog wondered into the camper and Babba was sleeping.He woke up and seen that dog and went crazy.I even knock to go into the camper sometimes.LOL
He sure Loves his camper.He has made a lot of friends in the campgrounds and even gets Christmas cards on Christmas from some of his friends.They know me as his chauffer.Theres a lot of stories that came out of the campgrounds about him.A lot are even true.LOL
Lots of personality OH YES.He was sent to me from heaven.What a story that is.

[ILuvMyDog]

That's funny you knock upon entering the camper, lol. :D That would be so awesom to take a cat camping, my cat though, it won't happen in a million years, lol, but I still love her just the same. I used to have a cat that insisted on sniffin' me all ova too wheneva I came home from somewhere...worse than a dog, lol. It's amazing how animals develope their own personalities, and the cutest at that, and their such intelligent creatures and I don't think they get enough credit.
I saw the cutest thing at the playground the other day (yes the playground, lol, I still go there time to time) It was a mother and her son, probably about 5-6 years old, and behind the lil boy came running a lil puppy, and behind the puppy comes running a cat. Neither the dog or cat on a leash..just following behind as good as can be. I don't know, I just thought it was a precious moment, it made me smile. :)
I can just picture you and your Babba together, I can see the bond between you two and all the 'adventures', lol. Pets are great at being your best friend. Do you have any other pets besides Babba?

[catman1]

. Pets are great at being your best friend. Do you have any other pets besides Babba?
................................................
Babbas the one and only and it my be a lot of the reason he is the way he is.
Animals are a lot more intelligent then most people give them credit for.I been around animals for over 60 years and i still get amazed sometimes of what i see.Babba has amazed me many times.
I have a special love for animals.What else can Love You and is Loyal and can be trusted and they trust you.Even wild animals i have a special trust with them.One time a deer came up to me and let me pet her.That is so very hard to believe but true.Animals are a friend that won't let you down.

[Onion]

wut a gorgeous cat!

[catman1]

behind the puppy comes running a cat. Neither the dog or cat on a leash..just following behind as good as can be. I don't know, I just thought it was a precious moment, it made me smile.
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That was a precious moment.People would expect that from a dog but a cat following a dog never.You can see how wrong people can be.When you see something like that you know theres still a lot of good in this world.Thanks for sharing.

[catman1]

wut a gorgeous cat!
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Onion i will have to hide this.If he reads it he will want his sunglasses back and want more pictures taken.LOL

[luvspcgames]

pretty cat Catman1

[catman1]

pretty cat Catman1
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Babba said Thank You.