Our kitty won't go outside

[Jaysmummy]

....

 

[Lubbird]

So the kitten has only lived with you two weeks? I've never let any rehomed cats out before having them 8 weeks (i know some people do after 3), and for the first week or 2 they are supervised in the back garden until they are confident enough to be alone. Cats need to get used to their new home so they can find their way back when they go out.

Cleaning the tray is a pain but if your cat isn't ready it's not fair to force him out. Why did you take him in? Rehomed cats need a lot more attention and nuturing than kittens who were born in your home, or adopted at a very young age.

 

[smokey]

If they dont want to go out there isnt much you can do, our cat has lived undoors for 10 years because hes petrafied of being outside.
Hes always been a nervy cat but outside even the wind scares him and if someone walks past or he even sees simeone else he nearly drops down.
We decided it wasnt worth the risk in case he darted under a car scared and got hurt.
Hes happily lived indoors ever since and even if the window is open he eyes it scared

 

[dani_tinks]

Why not let him stay in? if you wanted a cat you should be willing to look after it properly - which includes cleaning out it's litter tray?

 

[Tegans Mama]

Some cats just don't like going out. It's really unfair to force him out if he doesn't want to go, he'll be terrified the poor thing As a PP said, it's "normal" to keep a cat indoors for a minimum of 4 weeks when you first rehome, and for a minimum of 2 if you ever move house so they get used to their surroundings before they go outside

 

[Jaysmummy]

We were told by the cats home that he would be ok to go out after a week or 2 as he is a very confident cat.

When he was at the cats home they had a small outside area for the cats to go toilet which is why I wanted to teach him to go out.

 

[dani_tinks]

Sorry but you just can't force a cat to do something it's not comfortable with. He doesn't sound very confident to be outside at all. If he's happy indoors and using his tray, what's the harm in letting him?

 

[Tegans Mama]

Just because he is confident indoors doesn't mean he will be outdoors. He's just moved from one home to another, he won't be used to your house yet, life where is the only cat, and putting him outside and leaving him there isn't going to achieve anything except frighten him. Not all cats like going outside. Some cats prefer to be lazy and sleep on the sofa all day and play all night. They're all different, just because it's "normal" to put a cat outside and leave them there doesn't mean that all cats will tolerate it.
And you asked for "advice" so people gave it to you.

 

[babydevil1989]

I can get the jist of the thread - my cat loved being outside at our old house and would stay out all night and didnt have a litter tray. We then moved about a mile away and kept her in for three weeks but she wouldnt go outside at all so we just let her stay in - its been two years and she will now stay out at night 3-4 times a week but other times she prefers to stay in day and night - she still has a litter tray but rarely uses it - if u clean out the dirty patch of litter you dont have to change the whole lot.

Let the cat get used to its surroundings and it might start going out. X

 

[taylor197878]

my cat is the same he is 9 months and a have had him since 6 weeks a tried him outside when he was 6 moths and he nearly had a heart attack he was crying shaking a have never seen him so scared,

since that day a havent had him out tigger likes his comfert in the house and the warmth.

plus a like him as a house cat he is no bother at all.

 

[MamaTex]

Hmm, the OP's first post was erased but I would ask if it is possible to put a cat door on one of your doors. This would allow it to come and go as it pleases. It may mostly stay inside but if you are having problems with the cat using the litter box properly inside, you may want to look at changing the location of the box or changing the litter. Cats can be rather finicky. The cat will need to acclimate to its new surroundings. Once it seems comfortable, you can introduce it to the outside a little bit at a time.