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Sunday Chat: 9 PM ET Pet Loss Support
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Posted by martisimo on January 09, 2003 at 08:29:54:
In Reply to: Kitten keeps getting out! posted by MissChif on January 08, 2003 at 16:37:44:
Dont't give up! Just because he wants to go out doesn't necessarily mean he should.
My cats are strictly indoors, but once upon a time they were all strays outside, most of them adults. The fact that you have a cat that goes out it makes it harder to keep the others from trying to follow suit. I'd recommend you keep ALL of them in all the time --- your in/out kitty can bring in things (viruses, mites, parasites) to your indoor cats. Vaccinations offer protection but they aren't fail-safe, and there are some viruses that can't successfully be vaccinated against.
I would try the squirt gun, as was suggested. At my house, and back when I was a kid living at home, when anyone went to the door to leave we'd look around to make sure no kitty was lying in wait to dash out. (We only had one cat that ever tried it.) If they're showing interest, shoo them away with whatever noise you can make...stomp your foot, tsk-tsk at them, whatever. I'd just try to always use the same "shoo-ing" action. If that's not enough to scare him away, use a jar with coins to rattle when he gets near the door as you're leaving. Make noise when you're coming in too, if that's when he makes a dash.
You won't have to constantly chase him. Once he learns that the door is not so cool after all, things will get much easier. He's a kitten, right now he thinks the whole ordeal is loads of fun, but he'll mature. You can do it!
:We recently adopted two 4 mo. kittens, brother & sister. The boy, Buddy, has from day one tried to bolt out the door everytime it opens. It's getting harder and harder to get him back in! I understand the dangers of outdoors, but I don't think I can live constantly chasing him. Now that he's been out several times, he's even more persistant. His sister originally had no interest, but is watching him closely. We also have a 14 year old female who's always been indoor/outdoor but she was never as bold as Buddy. Any suggestions? Is there a time to simply give up and let them be outdoors?