How to Keep Kittens From Going Outdoors

While kittens have a tendency to be affectionate and even needy at times, they also are pets that are more independent than puppies. It's not unlikely that the independent nature of some or even all of your kittens may cause them to attempt to venture outside to find food, places to hide or just to investigate new areas. Keeping your kittens from going outdoors keeps the young pets safe from predators and your house clear of fleas or other unwanted pests.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat toys
  • Cat beds
  • Cat trees
  • Scratching posts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get your kittens spayed or neutered as soon as possible. According to the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society website, doing so lessens the desire of the kittens to roam.

    • 2

      Close up any easy exits to the outdoors, such as "doggy doors." Kittens are smart beings and will locate such exits, even if the swinging doors are a few feet off the ground. Taking a "better safe than sorry" approach and closing up these doors ensures the kittens won't locate and use these exits.

    • 3

      Purchase numerous toys for your kittens to play with while indoors. Noisy balls that have bells inside of them and toys that contain catnip can keep kittens busy for hours and also tire the pets out.

    • 4

      Make space for your kittens on and around window sills low to the ground. This allows the kittens to enjoy the sunlight and view the outdoors without actually stepping outside of your home.

    • 5

      Place cat beds or cat trees in certain areas of the house. These items give your kittens places to rest or simply a "get away." Put such items in somewhat hidden areas, such as in a corner of a room that isn't frequently used during the day so the kittens feel as if they have their own space.

    • 6

      Place scratching posts in the kittens' room or a room the kittens are during the day. Scratching posts act as another distraction for the kittens. These posts also protect your furniture from the claws of the pets.

    • 7

      Empty and clean the litter box on a daily basis. Kittens are less likely to roam around looking for a place to "do their business" when a clean litter box is accessible. Consider placing multiple litter boxes in one area if you own several kittens as this keeps you from needing to clean out a single box multiple times during one day.

    • 8

      Keep the kittens well-fed. The Purina website recommends giving kittens four meals a day during their first couple of months of life. As cliché as it may sound, full stomachs equal happy kittens, which means they won't need to roam outside looking for food. Consult with your veterinarian regarding specific feeding information, especially if you feel your kittens are underweight.