Why wont my cat go outside?

by angela malcolm
(inverness, scotland)

My house cat

My house cat

I have a 1 year old tom cat and ever since i have had him(from 12wks)he seems scared of the outdoors!

He refuses to go out and if i put him out to try(not often)he runs around the side of the house and cries at the porch door! he is neutered chipped and fully immunized so i was all prepared for him to one day want to go out but nope! Id like him to stop using a litter tray and go outside for his business but he just refuses! I never ever force him our nor will i ever, he is getting no exercise staying indoors and that cant be healthy, right?
He does however go out when its dark now and again, but will only sit out in the garden! There seen to be cars all around here that love to play out, but not my Quil, he just sits in and sleeps all day more or less! Its not even as if he wants attention from me or the kids because he dont like to be held stroked or wont com and see you if you call, he just attacks you instead, not a bad attack, more of a dive when you walk by him! The vet doesn't say much when i ask about it.
Any ideas why he is like this? Is this normal cat behavior? Can i change his attitude to the outside world at all?

Thanks...



Reply
Hi
Well what can i say, some cats are just very nervous and find the outside very frightening. My sister had a cat who did not want to go outside at all but he had some eye sight problems which made it difficult for him to see very far and so he felt vulnerable to attack.

In your cats case it may simply be because there could be another cat in the area which he can smell and which he is fearful of. This is not unusual if you have a un neutered tom cat in the area who may be scenting around your house and so warning off your cat. At night time there is more cover and places to hide and this may be why he feels happier to go out at night time.

It is no real issue apart from of course the litter issue for you. Many cats in America live there lives inside totally and as long as they have lots to do in the house to keep them active and happy then they should be fine.

All my cats have been inside / outside cats and I wouldn’t want it any other way. But at the end of the day it is what makes your cat happy that counts. I wouldn’t be surprised though that after some more time as he gets older he may start to venture outside more. Make sure he is micro chipped though just in case he wanders off and gets a little lost.

Best wishes kate

Comments for Why wont my cat go outside?

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