Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 4 cats, two were adopted as strays (Holly & Willy).
Holly was taken in a year ago at approximately one and a half years old. She came everyday and was very friendly, at first I thought someone owned her. She let me take some large ticks off of her face and administer Frontline. One day I looked out and she was in heat surrounded by Toms. Of course she got pregnant, and I took her in. She had 4 beutiful kittens and I found wonderful homes for them and had her spayed.

Lately she has been trying to sneak outside when I go thru the door (I'm very slow-disabled-and she takes advantage of it). She darted out into the garage twice, luckily the doors to it were closed. I have taken to having a 'squirt bottle' handy near the doors, cuz I'm so slow. The other cats show curiosity, but if I so 'NO' loudly, they get away, but I know they'd go out if no one was paying attention.

I'm terrified that Holly (or one of the others) will get out. We live in a rural area, but on a main road and there are wild animals about after dark. I had a terrifying experience last summer, and I don't know how to get her to lose interest in the outside world.

Sorry so long, but warm weather is coming.

You could try redirecting your cat's attention by tossing her a toy or a treat as you exit. Or leave a trail of treats in a location away from the door for your cat to follow. You can also schedule mealtime at your departure time if you leave at a regular time in the morning.

Good luck! There is also a product called a "scat mat" which you can place by the door. It gives a mild shock of static electricity when the cat steps on it. Or you could try a plastic carpet protector runner placed upside down near the door. The little "hooks" that anchor it to a rug are very uncomfortable for little paws when stepped on.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I have a couple of inside cats that make a break for it
when the door is open for a split second too long.

I got in the habit of making loud noises and slapping a book
or paper when I was ready to go out. Kind of conditioned some
of them to run the other way when the door opened but there
are still "jail break" attempts.

We have 3 black cats and one of the two indoor-outdoor cats (came as strays, can't convert them ) is black too. Sometimes
the inside black female gets let out due to mistaken identity (usually the outdoor boy cat has on a red collar). I swear she knows how to impersonate his walk and takes full advantage. She has been out for a few hours at a time and then waltzes right back in.

Once they have tasted the outdoors it is doubly hard to dissuade
them from trying it again.

I suggest doing everything they hate as soon as you head for the door. Loud noises and squirts from the water gun if they even get anywhere near to the door. I used to now and then hold one of my cats securely and step outside just as a loud car or truck went by then make all kinds of hissy, scary noises along with it then quick take them back in and let them run for safety.

Kind of Pavlov conditioning to associate being outside that door
with noisy, frightening things.

Best of luck with yours.

Petsitter Ang