Inside/Outside Kitty Comes Inside For Good

[jpastor]

We live in the country and have always let our two cats, Roscoe and Gizmo, come and go as they please. However, we always brought them in at night for their safety. Because we will be moving to the city in January, we are trying to get them accustomed to strictly inside life. Gizmo has made the transition beautifully, but Roscoe has taken to howling, crying, moaning and yipping like a dog just before sunrise every morning. This morning he started at 4:30 A,M.! None of us can sleep. If we shut our bedroom door, he resorts to flinging his body against it, making a terribly loud noise. It's been two weeks now with no sign of improvement. Does anyone have any suggestions to help Roscoe acclimate to his new indoor life? Our neighbors are beginning to complain, and we're all losing precious sleep!

[MrsCheeks]

Sometimes it is very hard to get a cat that is used to being able to roam to stay put. One of my cats will tear the house down if he is not let out and regular as clockwork he wakes me at 3am to go out!! I kick him out regardless of the weather cos he goes nuts otherwise. He might moan at me for going out into the rain but I know him only too well lol. Cats are nocturnal, love to roam around, and I have to say I would rather mine were out a night when there is far less chance of them being run over or annoying the neighbours. I somehow dont think you wil lfind an easy answer to this porblem, but I hope you find a solution that keeps you all happy. Best of luck. xxxx

[Shipstabber]

There's really no point in putting yourself through this before you've even moved. I would think you have a far better chance of success if you try keeping him in once he's in the new environment. However I suspect that you will not be able to train an outdoor cat to be an indoor cat and I suggest you get a catflap!

[FP]

jpastor, I am reliably informed by vets that most cats are killed and injured on the road at dawn or dusk when it is still half dark and when there is little traffic around. They feel more secure and often get hit by an unexpected car. They usually steer clear of roads during the daylight, especially the more mature cats. Can you not let him out during the daylight hours so he uses up his surplus energy and lock him in at night. This works quite well with one of my cats who sleeps at night because she is tired.