Nervous Kitty needs help getting outside

[Deleted User]

Hi
I wonder if anyone can advise me please

My lovely kitty is 8yrs old. I have moved from inner city to countryside 2 months ago. She was always an outdoors cat since being a kitten. But now she goes crazy when I try and get her outside. I have her on a harness and stay with her in the garden and we stay out for about an hour each day. Once outside she doesn't want to come in and seems ok sniffing about, leaving her scent etc. But getting back in the house (through a window) is a nightmare.
I don't know what to do as I know she has always loved being outside and being indoors she just sits on the window sill or under the bed lookind sad. she was never like this in the old house.
Thanks in advance
x

Kittendreich

Are there other cats about? Your garden (& surroundings) might 'belong' to another cat - yours might just be avoiding conflict by staying inside?

JimmyTheWig

Firstly remember it's fireworks night coming up, so now might not be the best time to start trying!

But when you're ready, why not leave her a few treats around the garden to find?
At 8 she's not going to be catching many birds and mice, so might need something else as a reason for going out there.

geri1965_2

Is there no way she can have a catflap and let her do her own thing? It sounds at the minute as if you are trying to force her outside at your convenience, then when she is finally out and happy to sniff about for a bit, you are trying to get her back in.

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone
you've suggested things I hadn't thought of. The garden is actually a field which backs onto other fields and yes, I've seen a couple of cat's who will have a 'prior claim' to the garden. Also seen deer which she hasn't come across before. So you're right this all may be overwhelming. I'm just so very, very worried about letting her off the harness in case she just bolts and gets lost.
Also, I may be rushing her because I want to get her used to the outdoors b 4 paying for a cat flap being fitted into double glazed windows.

Just not sure when to risk taking harness off. Would it make sense to take her outside, then take it off and stay with her in the garden then leave her to come home? Will she get used to sharing the garden with the other cats? Also was thinking of not feeding her before going out so she will come back for food?
Sorry this is so long. Maybe I'm more nervous than she is.

Chakani

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

At 8 she's not going to be catching many birds and mice, so might need something else as a reason for going out there.

Would you kindly explain this to my 8 year old mog, please? :rotfl:
I have had to get rid of the catflap so she can be searched on her way in, after the incident with the fully grown but beheaded and dripping woodpigeon tipped me over the edge.

OP, can you not just open the door or window when you're at home, and let her go out at her own pace, and leave it open so she can retreat if she wants to? I would have thought 2 months was plenty of time for her to get used to where home is, and she might feel happier if she can run for cover, rather than being "tied" to you.

We have moved several times (I just counted, 9, soon to be 10 times ) with our cat, both town and country, and she is fine in about 4 days about knowing where to come back to (she is very adaptable and resilient though, I wouldn't expect every cat to be ok so quickly). She tends to spend the first half an hour or so sitting in the open door or window taking it all in, then she dashes off a little way away to somewhere else she can get a good look and sniff from. She is always a bit wary coming back in, and likes to have time for a good look around before she commits herself, but I think she is just making sure her bottom is safe before she takes her eyes off it to squeeze through the gap.

rita-rabbit

bushbaby1103 wrote: »

Thanks everyone
you've suggested things I hadn't thought of. The garden is actually a field which backs onto other fields and yes, I've seen a couple of cat's who will have a 'prior claim' to the garden. Also seen deer which she hasn't come across before. So you're right this all may be overwhelming. I'm just so very, very worried about letting her off the harness in case she just bolts and gets lost.
Also, I may be rushing her because I want to get her used to the outdoors b 4 paying for a cat flap being fitted into double glazed windows.

Just not sure when to risk taking harness off. Would it make sense to take her outside, then take it off and stay with her in the garden then leave her to come home? Will she get used to sharing the garden with the other cats? Also was thinking of not feeding her before going out so she will come back for food?
Sorry this is so long. Maybe I'm more nervous than she is.

You may find cat just scarpers behind you back indoors anyways. Cat has rights/feelings too - catflap or bust until summer methinx - or only have cat outside when you are there to protect her from other cats in the neighbourhood.

The food thing could work but I wouldn't rush it - cats do not like change.

[Deleted User]

(OP, can you not just open the door or window when you're at home, and let her go out at her own pace, and leave it open so she can retreat if she wants to? I would have thought 2 months was plenty of time for her to get used to where home is, and she might feel happier if she can run for cover, rather than being "tied" to you).

Thanks that's what I've done today. I've traken the harness off and put litter tray just by the entrance/ exit. fingers crossed, she'll feel adventerous and safe. I bet she'll wait till it's dark and quiet.

Thanks again everyone, will let you know how she gets on.
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