Cat

[Nette]

I have a two year old tabby from Cats Protection League. After her 3 week stay in the house, we taught her to use the cat door. She used it to come in with no problem, but was reluctant to use it to go out. After lots of use of treats and some pushing through (probably not the right thing) she got the hang of it. Recently though, she started miaowing at the back door again and not using the cat door. My husband discovered that the stool at the outside door (it's through a wall, so one door inside and one out) had blown over in the wind, so she had nothing to step out onto. We assume this is why she stopped using it to go out. He has now built a proper platform for her, which wont blow away, but she still wont use it to go out. I've tried the treats again, but they don't seem to work this time. Should I keep her in and not open the back door for her, to see if it forces her to use it again? Would love to hear your thoughts, Nette

[meezermom]

Hi Nette and thanks for stopping by! I will be honest with you, it is truly better and safer for her to simply stay inside. Most of the agreements you sign when adopting cats demand the cat must be an inside cat so you may want to check this. A cat that lives inside has a much longer, healthier and happier life. She may simply be very unhappy being forced to go outside. If she was always an inside cat to begin with, trying to make her an inside/outside cat now could be terrifying to her. Give this some serious thoughts. If she is inside, she will be much healthier which will cut way down on vet visits and bills and will not be bringing in things like fleas and ticks and other "riders on"!