We really would like our cat to go outdoors, basically to stop him being so sedentary. He seems reluctant at the moment and wondered if anyone had any advise on how to gently encourage him out.

A little about his history - we got him from a rescue centre. They found him after he had been straying, and hit by a car. He does look out the window and will stand at an open door or window, but wont put a paw out.

I realise that alot of regulars on this forum are great advocates of indoor cats, and I appreciate your views. Indeed, in a lot of situations I would share your views, but We live on a farm, down a dead end road, so a lot of the usual hazards don't apply. I would respectfully request not to give me reasons for keeping him an indoor cat. ta

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Thank you for reading
Jayne
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Some cats PREFER an indoor life. You are giving him the option, he is choosing to stay in, respect his wishes

Perhaps at some point he will venture outside, but that should be his decision.

Well done for giving this little guy a second chance, seems he has had arough start, bless him!

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Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

I would agree with Amethyst - don't push him out if he is not inclined to go. He's had a bit of a rum time with the 'not-so-great' outdoors and, for him, it doesn't hold happy memories. It is a 'scary place'.

Do you have the space for a decent sized cat tree that he could clamber over & be more active on? This might be an option for now. You may find that when it gets much warmer outside, he might be interested in venturing outdoors, especially if he sees you and your family out in the garden.

May I ask how long he has been with you?

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Can you sit outside near the doorway, so he can see you relaxing out there? He might be tempted out for some fuss if he doesn't feel threatened. Maybe put a bowl of food down for him, entice him with a stick / string toy that he can chase?

Get him some catnip?!

Hi my cat is an outdoor cat, to be honest he wouldn't have it any other way. I am guessing that your little fella may be scared after his experience, let him take his time and as already suggested perhaps you could stay with him so that he feels more at ease with the outside, I think the important thing is not to rush him and maybe one day soon his curiosity will get the better of him. Let us know how you get on

When it gets warmer I would leave the door open, curiosity usually gets the better of cats If he still doesn't want to go out, don't make him, as it will make the situation worse. If he chooses ot be an indoor kitty let him be one

However if he does want to be an indoor cat, you will need to spend more time stimulating him as he won't be able to get all the stimulation that comes from being outdoors; sniffing places, marking territory, basking in the sun, chasing birds and mice.

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Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

I'm with everyone here,he is obviously not interested in going out.After his past experience it isnt hard to see why.Looks like he prefers indoor life .I had a semi feral cat who lived outside in a shed for years.As soon as I could offer him an indoor/outdoor home he moved in and once he settled he never went further than out the back door,round the house and back in the front door.he'd had it with" outdoor life".So let him choose what he wants.

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Mine are outdoor cats as well. Although I never had one that refused strictly going outside and therefore lack experience, I can say it took especially Olli the youngest a while to dare stepping out completely and not only by a paw. He began exploring our house's sourroundings in November 2010 aged 5 months then and by now he still moves in an area of about 50 - 100 metres around the estate, always reappearing right away if called.
So, due to your cat's background, like the other folks suggested, still have some patience with him for now. I guess he will dare at one point, he just needs time

Good luck anyway!

We introduced Indie to outdoor life by putting him in his carrier and taking him into the garden with us - he doesn't mind his box and never cries on trips to vets etc, once in garden we settled down to a cool drink and opened his box and after a few sniffs he was beside us and his new world.

I,am Glad we did this as he loves getting out, When we have good weather and a BBQ etc he will hang around us - probably for any tit-bits coming his way. He doesn't get out when he wants of course, and we monitor him as best we can, he wont stray far and if he did, The search party is out.

I have cats that go out & that stay in, the ones that stay in play/exercise More than the ones that go out, who are both currently asleep int he garden, while the ones indoors are running round like crazy...

You could try playing with him more, the da bird, throwing toys up the stairs etc, a feeding station so he works for food.

However he sounds like a normaly happy cat to me and may not want to go out, you could leave the door open and see what he does? wouldnt force him

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