Have you recently decided to keep your kitty inside? If so, you’ve made an excellent decision. Your feline friend will be both healthier and safer indoors, where she isn’t exposed to the dangers posed by cars, predators, and other threats. Fluffy, however, may not see it that way, especially if she’s been allowed to roam freely in the past. Below, a Coon Rapids, MN vet discusses keeping your cat inside.

Trickery

Fluffy is much more likely to be lost, hurt, or even killed, if she is allowed outdoors, but telling her that probably won’t stop her from scratching at the door. You may need to resort to trickery. When your adventurous pet sniffs around the door, squirt her with water or make a loud noise. You can bang two pots together, sound a bike horn, or activate an alarm on your phone. Your feline buddy will likely be startled, and may flee to her favorite hiding spot, but she won’t be hurt. After a few of these incidents, your kitty will hopefully become a bit wary of the door.

Distraction

Take time to play with your cat every day. Jumping and pouncing after a catnip toy will satisfy your pet’s innate urge to hunt. Plus, all that activity will probably tire Fluffy out a bit. After playtime is over, your kitty will probably be more interested in napping than in trying to slip outside.

Bribery

If your cat is still trying to get outside, you may have to make the indoor life a bit more appealing for her. If you have a patio or sunroom, make it into a catio by adding kitty furniture, soft beds, and fun toys. You can also put pet-safe plants out at ground level for Fluffy to peek through. This will give your feline friend a taste of the outdoors, while she stays safe and sound inside.

Compromise

Still no luck? Consider training your furball to walk on a leash. This will take some time and patience, but it is a way for Fluffy to get out and about a bit. Not all of our feline friends will go for wearing a leash, so you’ll need to proceed slowly and carefully. Ask your vet for more information.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? Call us, your Coon Rapids, MN animal clinic, today!