How many times have you come home to find your cat has peed or pooped on your floor? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “a lot.” Cats are notorious for being stubborn and refusing to do anything we ask them to. But what if I told you that there is a way to train your cat to go outside? It’s not as hard as you might think! In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to get your cat accustomed to going outside. We’ll also provide some tips on how to keep them from coming back inside.
How To Train Cat To Go Outside
Have a routine to be outside at certain times every day
Training your cat to go outside can be a difficult task, but it is possible. The first thing you need to do is create a routine for your cat. Let them know that every day at a certain time, they will be going outside. It’s important to be consistent with this routine; if you only take them out occasionally, they won’t understand that they’re supposed to be doing it all the time.
Create positive association with being outside
The next step is to create a positive association by going outside. This can be done by treats, petting, or anything else that your cat enjoys. Whenever they go outside, make sure to give them plenty of praise and attention. In time, they will start to see going outside as a good thing.
Use a harness and leash
If your cat is resistant to going outside, you can try using a harness and leash. This will allow you to guide them and keep them close by. Gradually increase the amount of time they spend outside each day. If they start meowing or scratching at the door to come back in, don’t let them in right away. Make them wait a few minutes, and then let them inside. This will show them that they need to be patient if they want to come back inside.
Feed outside
Another way to train them to be outside is by occasionally feeding them outside. This will get them used to the sights and smells of the outdoors.
Start slowly:
To transition a cat that has been indoors mostly to getting used to outdoors environment, start with slow increments of time outside. It is best to let them out for short periods of time at first and gradually increase the amount of time they spend outdoors each day. Letting them out for long periods of time from the start can be overwhelming and result in your cat wanting to stay inside more.
Be patient:
Training a cat takes time and patience. If you are consistent with the above tips, your cat will eventually get used to going outside. Just don’t give up!
Do not declaw:
Declawed cats find it very difficult to fend for themselves outside and are more prone to getting sick or injured. If you want your cat to like being outdoors, do not declaw them.
I hope this article was helpful in explaining the above 7 tips on how to train your cat to go outside.If you follow these steps, you’ll be on your way to having an outdoor cat in no time. Just remember to be patient, consistent, and use positive reinforcement. Good luck!
What tips do you have for training a cat to go outside? Let us know in the comments below!
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
