Hi everyone, I'm having a bit of a problem at the moment.
We moved house about two weeks ago and our one-year-old cat is constantly meowing at the doors and windows to go outside (she's never been outdoors before).
As soon as a door is opened, she bolts out. It's happened twice now, and we've stayed close by to make sure everything was okay.
But once she's out, it's impossible to get her back in. She won't come when called, even when we shake her treats, and if we try to catch her, she runs off straight away (she won't come anywhere near us when we're outside). Yet, when she's indoors, she's very affectionate and we can pick her up whenever we want.
Why is this happening? Is it just because she doesn't know the area yet and needs time to settle in? Or does anyone have any tips to get her to come back in the evening so she doesn't end up sleeping outside?
Thanks everyone!
Translated from French
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Yeah, I see... I think it’s much clearer explained like that... Mind you, I had to read it through a few times before it finally clicked... But cats and dogs have such their own ways of communicating that it's not always easy to get your head around... It also depends on how well the information is put across when someone’s explaining something...
But it’s a bit like kids, really... Lol. They don’t really want to stop what they’re doing when you tell them it’s dinner time, or they don’t fancy leaving a spot where they’re nice and comfy when you say it’s time to go, for example... Lol.
Well, what’s not to get? When a cat is having a whale of a time outdoors and sees its owners coming out to call it back, it connects "owners coming out and calling me" with "being brought back in". And let's be honest, they’ve got no interest in that at all... That’s why it’s worth heading out a few times without paying the cat any mind, just openly ignoring them, to break that association in their little rascal’s brain...
"...If your cat hasn't been neutered, it's just his hormones. An entire cat will do anything to find a mate.
If he is neutered, he’s simply fascinated by this new territory outdoors. The problem is that he associates you coming outside with being called back in, which he obviously doesn't like. Letting him see you outside while you ignore him, rather than calling him, might help win him over.
Always feed him indoors so he makes the connection: food = home."
That's good to know... I'll have to make a note of that on my phone...
Blue Cat
"...If your cat hasn't been neutered, it's just his hormones calling. An entire cat will do everything he can to find a mate.
If he is neutered, he's likely just fascinated by this new outdoor territory. The problem is that he associates you coming outside with being called back in, which he obviously isn't a fan of. Seeing you outside without being called—just ignoring him instead—might help coax him back.
Always feed him indoors so he clearly makes the connection: mealtime = home."
That's really good to know... I'll have to make a note of that on my phone...
To make sure you don't lose her, put a red flea collar on her with your phone number written on it in permanent marker. Flea collars don't come off as easily as other types. Once she's used to going outside and the neighbours recognise her, you can take it off. It might be a bit early to let her out yet, though, as she needs to get her bearings in the flat first so she can find her way back on her own.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll go and grab one.
But we’ve been letting her out because she’s honestly crying all day and night by the windows and doors. Plus, she sneaks out whenever we aren't looking or the second a door opens, so we’d rather be there with her than have her bolt when we’re not around—that’s why we want to start letting her out now 😒
Hi, if your cat isn't neutered, it’s just his hormones. An entire cat will do whatever it takes to mate. If he’s already been neutered, he’s simply fascinated by this new outdoor territory. The problem is that he associates you being outside with being called back in, which he obviously isn't a fan of. Seeing you outside without calling him—ignoring him, essentially—might help coax him over. Always feed him indoors so he makes the connection: food = home.
She’s definitely been spayed, and I always feed her as soon as she comes back in, but I’m mostly just scared she’ll wander off and never come back, which is why I keep calling her 😕
Hi,
If your cat hasn't been neutered, it's simply his hormones calling. An entire cat will do whatever it takes to find a mate.
If he’s already been neutered, he’s likely just fascinated by this new outdoor territory. The problem is that he associates you coming outside with being called back in, which he obviously isn't too happy about. Letting him see you outside while you ignore him, rather than calling him, might help win him over.
Make sure you always feed him indoors so he makes a clear association: food = home.
