How to Move an Outside Cat Inside

On average, outdoor cats live about four years, while indoor cats live up to 14 years or more, according to the Pet Place website. A cat that roams freely outdoors can become prey to outdoor predators, such as coyotes or cruel humans who may want to harm it, and become exposed to illness from other cats. If you have found an outside cat that you want to keep strictly indoors, you need to provide a stimulating indoor environment for the cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Topical flea treatment
  • Cat shampoo
  • Brush
  • Litter box
  • Unscented clumping litter
  • Soil
  • Bird feeder
  • Cat tree
  • Covered fish tank
  • Cat toys
  • Cat treats
  • Treat ball toy
  • Scratching post
  • Motion activated deterrent
  • Cat leash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Apply a topical flea treatment to the cat and take it to a veterinarian for a health check. Outdoor cats can pick up internal and external parasites, and require treatment to rid the cat of these pests when coming into your home.

    • 2

      Bathe the cat to clean it. Washing the cat removes any dirt, debris and parasites from its coat that it has acquired while living outdoors. Use a gentle cat shampoo to lather its coat and rinse it thoroughly in your bathtub with a shower attachment. Brush the cat's coat to smooth it out and remove any matting.

    • 3

      Take the cat to the location of its litter box several times so it understands that it should eliminate in it. Outdoor cats usually eliminate in soil, so fill the box with a combination of soil and unscented clumping litter, slowly changing over to litter during a period of one to two weeks.

    • 4

      Place a bird feeder outside a window in your home. Put a cat climbing tree in front of the window to provide the feel and scenery of the outdoors safely through a window for your cat. Consider placing a covered fish tank near the cat's favorite spot to sit, for the cat to observe as well.

    • 5

      Play with the cat using interactive toys such as a laser beam toy or a toy on a wand. Engage the cat's attention for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, two to three times each day. Provide the cat with toys it can play with while you are out of the home, such as a treat ball filled with cat treats and a scratching post to keep it from becoming bored.

    • 6

      Place a motion sensor deterrent for cats near the doors to your home. A formerly outdoor cat may attempt to slip through the door, and these deterrents discourage that behavior. Some even emit a nontoxic burst of gas to scare the cat away from the door.

    • 7

      Build your cat an enclosed or screened-in area it can lounge in during the day safely without the possibility of escape. These cat patios, also called "catios" provide your cat with the experience of being outdoors, but without the safety risks. Another option is to walk your cat on a leash in your backyard daily.