Help your cat learn to associate one door with going outside. Pick a door you use the least and put on her cat harness and leash set near that door. Train your cat by only letting her out using this door. Your cat will begin to associate the door with going outside and stop darting for any open door.
Most will take their time and explore very slowly and carefully. Let them explore in their own time and don't panic if they hop over a fence, or go further than you feel comfortable, most cats come back after a few minutes, at which point you can give them a tasty treat to encourage their return.
You should build up the length of time your cat is outside over a few sessions. While you're outside you can also continue to train your cat to come when called. Make sure that you don't always take them back inside straight away when they're called.
It's a good idea to offer your cat supervised outside playtime before letting them roam freely. Regular leash walks can help cats learn about their surroundings and may prevent them from getting lost. Keep your cat current on their vaccines and flea and tick preventatives.
Start by letting your cat outside for a few minutes at a time. When it's time to come in, call their name and offer a treat, or say something like, “time to eat!” so your kitty knows that when they hear that, it's time to come back inside. Keep your cat's food indoors.
Millions of cats spend their entire lives indoors without complaint. They've never been outside and have no desire to venture out. In fact, many become frightened if they accidentally wander out the door.
Cats are very sensitive creatures, however, so something else could have upset her and made her unwilling to go outside. Have there been any changes in your household, such as a guest or new occupant of the house? Has there been any increase in stress or anxiety among the humans of your household?
Knock on doors and hang large, colorful “lost cat” posters in your area. Alert dogwalkers, mail carriers, joggers and anyone else who regularly visits your neighborhood, as well as anyone nearby who feeds outdoor cats. Use local social media sites and missing pet registries to help get the word out.
Cats can smell over a mile depending on wind conditions. Then make the scent strip and “Cat Chum” (Described below) trails back in the most direct and safe way to your house and/or traps.
Cats like to wander, so there is a good chance yours goes missing now and then. In our experience, it is not unusual for a cat to be MIA for 24 hours at a time. Some cats even disappear for two to three days at a time.
If your cat keeps wanting to go outside, he may simply be bored. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, scratching posts, and climbing towers can keep your fur baby entertained so he's not constantly meowing at the door. Regular playtime can also help.
Spay or Neuter Your Cat
Up to 90% of cats will see a reduction in their desire to escape and go roaming after they are spayed or neutered.
In addition, only give the walk cue when your cat is quiet and away from the door — for example, when he's climbing his cat tree or playing with a toy. Consistently rewarding quiet behavior and ignoring demand meowing helps your cat learn which strategies do and don't work to get him what he wants.
Cats see moving objects better than we do, and their senses of smell and hearing are much better than ours. Indoor cats have not experienced most things outside, so walks can be overwhelming for them at first. Gradual exposure to the outdoors with treats will get them used to these things and help them walk with you.
It can be particularly hard for cats to cope with living indoors if they have lots of energy, love to explore and have previously been allowed time outdoors. However, for some cats - such as those with a disability or medical problem - living indoors could be a better option, and they may feel more comfortable.
A slow start is key! Every cat is different; this could take from two weeks to a month or more. It's important that your cat become acclimated to their indoor home, first. So please make sure kitty has a good amount of time inside with his family before beginning the process to acclimate them to indoor/ outdoor living.
Cats will sleep wherever they feel safe—and that may be outside in a quiet, dark corner of your house or yard. However, it's essential to remember that cats don't want to be surprised by something (like a loud noise).
Originally Answered: Why is my cat afraid of the outside? Cats are territorial, and they distinguish between “safe” and “unsafe” areas. They're well informed that they're safe within the building. They're less safe outside, so they're more cautious.
Cats will usually stay within a 3-4 house radius from where they went out as long as they can find a place to hide within that area. They look for the first place to hide and then they stay there (sometimes for days on end) as long as it is safe and dry.
Even if you've been separated for a while, it's likely that they will still recognise your smell and voice, although it's difficult to say exactly how long they will remember you for. They will be more likely to recognise you if you are reunited in the context of their familiar home environment.
Place outdoor litter boxes in out-of-the-way areas with little human traffic. Keep it away from the cat's food and water. Be sure to place the outdoor litter box away from areas where cats eat or drink. This includes any water features in your yard, such as a pond or fountain.