The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [72]
A You certainly don’t want a Bruno protest. Remind yourself that your actions are done out of genuine love and concern for Bruno. You are giving Bruno the best gift you can give him — a longer, healthier life.
I can tell you have already assessed the “feline fear factor.” You recognize that Bruno’s age plus worsening weather and escalating traffic are increasing the chance of his becoming injured or ill due to his free-roaming lifestyle. With Bruno indoors, you will no longer have to worry about him developing an abscess from scrapping with a stray, being exposed to poisonous yard-care products or antifreeze, or developing a contagious disease like feline leukemia.
It’s only natural to feel a little guilt at first. You are probably assuming that Bruno will feel that his freedom has been yanked from him. He may indeed act out in undesirable ways, like urine marking, yowling at the door, or clawing your sofa.
To avoid these bad behaviors, you need to make his indoor domain far more stimulating and appealing than the outside scene that he is used to. An outdoor cat exercises more and engages his senses more, so you will need to replace the sights, smells, and sounds of the outdoors. Bruno may be 10 years old, but he probably has a lot of kittenish play left in him. He needs daily exercise and interactive play sessions to keep him happy and not pining for the outdoor life. Catnip mice, cat wands, and feather toys on sticks can all be used to bring out the playful predator in Bruno and give him appropriate outlets for hunting, stalking, and chasing. Look for toys that he can play with by himself, such as a ball in a round track or a mouse on an elastic string that you hang in a doorway. Put some kibble in a hollow toy that he can bat around so that treats trickle out.
If he shows any interest in watching your television, you could buy him a couple of nature programs specially designed to engage the attention of cats. Provide Bruno with suitable places to scratch and claw and a comfy perch to view what’s happening outside. Position some sturdy scratching posts in key rooms where the two of you spend a lot of time, such as the living room and bedroom. Install a window perch that overlooks a bird feeder or a tree where the local squirrel gang likes to hang out.
The latest trend in feline décor is outdoor enclosures that allow a cat to safely enjoy a bit of the outdoors without coming to any harm. Cat fencing is also available. (See Bring the Outdoors In, page 268.)
If Bruno starts making loud demands at the door, your natural instinct may be to yell at him to quiet down. That won’t work. You two will only get in a “who can yell louder” match. And guess what? You’ll lose. Instead, ignore him. It won’t be easy initially and your patience will be tested. When he is quiet for even a few seconds, call him over and give him a treat or scratch his chin or play a game with him. In time, his yowling will subside as he realizes you are not caving in to his demands.
I want to address the issue of inappropriate elimination, which can be a problem for a cat making the transition to indoor life. If Bruno has traditionally performed his bathroom duties outside, you may need to teach him how to use a litter box. I recommend that you confine Bruno to a small but cozy room for a week or so. Provide him with a litter box that you scoop out daily. Locate his bed and his food and water bowls on the opposite side of the room from the box. Ideally, this room should have a window for him to look out of. Consider playing music on low volume and spend some time playing and cuddling with him each day. Make sure he has plenty of toys to amuse himself with.
You can’t tone down Mother Nature and you usually can’t stop progress, but you can take the necessary steps in your own home to make it feel feline friendly to Bruno.
INDOORS IS BEST
Indoor cats live longer than