Outdoor Cats

How To Bring An Outdoor Cat Inside Sometimes an outdoor cat will capture our hearts, so we want to bring them indoors so they can live a long, healthy, and happy life. Three of my cats were outdoor cats that I transitioned to indoor-only, and it was well worth the effort! I also have a feral-to-friendly cat living on my catio as we socialize. Bringing an outdoor cat inside and keeping them inside may seem daunting, but it’s actually a very rewarding bonding experience. You’ll get to know each other quite well as you go through the transition stages. The average indoor cat’s lifespan is 10-15 years, while an average outdoor cat’s lifespan is just 2-5 years. Outdoor cats are exposed to parasites, illness, predators, vehicles, and more. Luckily, with a bit of dedication and love, almost every cat can find a forever home indoors. Here are a few things to consider that will make bringing an outdoor or feral cat inside much easier. The Difference Between Feral Cats And Stray Cats All feral cats are stray cats, but not all stray cats are feral. Feral cats are outdoor cats that are unsocialized to humans, while stray cats are usually more domesticated and friendly. Feral cats tend to take longer to bring inside, but the approach is generally the same as for a stray. Stray cats may have been born outdoors, dumped by a previous owner, or abandoned when a neighbor moved away. If your outdoor cat seems more approachable and reliant on humans for care, then it’s more likely to be a stray. Bringing A Stray Cat Inside If your outdoor cat is friendly, it’s usually a good idea to ask around to see if it belongs to anyone. We think all domestic cats should be indoor-only, but there are a lot of indoor-outdoor cats that might have owners. A stray cat can become an indoor cat with a few simple transition steps. Bringing A Feral Cat inside Yes, a feral cat can become an indoor cat. Ideally, you’d go slowly and gradually to allow for the feral to get friendly to you before coming inside. My outdoor feral has been living on my catio for over a year. It took us a few weeks before she was comfortable enough to come near for food. Now, I can pick her up and hold her. She purrs like a little chipmunk, and it’s adorable! If you don’t have time to socialize your feral, you might need to trap them to get them in the house. If you’re interested in learning how to trap a feral cat to bring inside, check out our TNR Beginners Guide to get started. If you’re planning to bring a feral cat inside, you might want to prepare a safe outdoor space while you socialize and tame them. If your cat likes to stray, you could consider creating an outdoor catio to keep them close. Otherwise, here are a few outdoor cat shelter ideas. Taming A Feral Cat Before you bring a feral cat inside, it’s ideal to begin taming them first. One way to get an outdoor cat to trust you is with food! The first step to taming a feral cat is by feeding them. Try setting down a dish of food, then backing up until the cat is comfortable eating while you are still there. Each time you feed them, sit a little closer. Stay quiet and don’t make sudden movements, as this can scare the cat and might even set back the progress you’ve made. Once you can sit close by, try hand-feeding the cat with treats or kibble. You can even put a bit of wet food on a spoon for them to eat. If the cat doesn’t quite trust you enough yet, you can try gently tossing treats a little ways from you to see how close they’ll come. Over time, this distance will lessen. Here are some of our favorite cat treats which might do the trick. Once the cat is very comfortable eating around you and takes food from your hand, slowly reach out to pet them. Cats love to be pet on their cheeks, and this can be less scary than letting you scratch the top of their heads. This is also a good time to introduce toys and begin playing with them. The amount of time this process takes will vary depending on the cat. They’re all individuals with different experiences and personalities. Some will warm up quickly, while others will take months or even years to adapt. Do Feral Cats Make Good Pets? Feral cats will become friendly and grow to prefer life indoors if treated right. They make wonderful house pets. Depending on the age of the feral cat, its personality, and its past experiences with humans, it may never be a lap cat or frequently interact with you. Once they get used to indoor life, they might still prefer to keep their distance. Cats raised their whole lives indoors sometimes turn out the same way, though, so don’t let this discourage you. On the other hand, some formal ferals become so lovey and snuggly that you wouldn’t believe they went so long without human contact.  Will An Outdoor Cat Use A Litterbox? Most cats will use the litterbox naturally because they have the instinct to bury and dig. However, you should avoid leaving other places to bury it in, such as clothes piles or potted plants. Keeping the cat in a small area at first will help them learn to use a litter box. Outdoor cats tend to prefer unscented wood pellet litter as opposed to other types and scents. Another issue you may encounter while bringing a cat indoors is spraying urine. Unaltered male cats spray the most, but any cat can spray. Feral cats are more prone to this behavior because they have a natural tendency to mark territory on trees and other upright items. Spaying or neutering the cat