Caring for working dogs
Tips On Teaching Your Adopted Cat To Live Indoors
Jose Reid
If you're considering cat adoption, but you don't like the idea of your cat living outdoors, it is possible to acclimatise your feline friend to an indoor life. Outdoor cats are exposed to the dangers of traffic, disease, predators and simply getting lost. It's not surprising therefore that house cats generally tend to enjoy longer lives than their outdoor cousins. But how do you teach your newly adopted cat to settle for the indoor life? Read on for some top tips.
Be prepared
Before you take delivery of your adopted cat, make sure that your household is ready.
Your new cat will be accustomed to using a litter tray and a bed at the cat adoption centre, so the transition to doing so in your home should be smooth. It's a good idea to ask if you can have an item of bedding from your cat's old bed so that their new one smells familiar to them. Ask too what type of litter they are used to using. Some cats can be put off if they are faced with wood pellets for example, when they have been accustomed to using gravel.
Your new cat will probably be nervous in their new home to start with and may consider making a break for freedom, especially if they're a former stray who's been shut in at the adoption centre for any length of time. Be aware of this and keep doors and windows closed until you can be sure that your cat won't make a run for it. If you have secure screening on your windows, you may be able to open them so that your cat can watch the birds outside and enjoy basking in the sun on the windowsill, without the risk that they might escape.
It might also be worth asking your vet for a suitable pheromone calming product to help your new cat to chill out while they settle in.
Make indoor life fun
Although most cats like to sleep for much of the day, stimulation and exercise are important for your pet.
Cats' play is all based on their natural instinct to hunt. You can mimic this by providing your cat with plenty of toys to chase and stalk. Don't just leave your cat to their own devices with their toys; make their play sessions interactive too. Younger cats enjoy climbing and scratching. You can protect your furniture and curtains by investing in a kitty jungle gym and scratch pad.
Most cats enjoy being petted. You can entertain your house cat, as well as give them an enjoyable petting session, by buying a special cat-grooming kit and spending a little time each day grooming them.
In conclusion
Many cats that have previously been strays adapt well to the comfort and security of an indoor lifestyle. Follow the tips given above to help your new feline friend adjust to their new life with you, and ask your vet for more advice on keeping your new pet healthy and happy.
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We've always had a large property and our dogs are working dogs. They like to have freedom to run around and play with each other as well as helping us round up the sheep at the end of the day. We don't coddle the dogs by any means, but we do care for them deeply and want them to stay healthy. Sometimes our dogs do get into scrapes and do some silly things, like last year when my older dog ate some baited meat from a fox trap, and do need vet care. This blog has some tips on getting veterinary care for your beloved animals.