Do you have a friendly outdoor kitty who likes to stop by for a porch snack? Have you ever thought about bringing them inside to officially join the family? If so, we\u2019ve compiled some tips to help get you started on transitioning your outdoor porch cat to an indoor companion.<\/p>\n
There is a caveat, though. Bringing an outdoor cat to live indoors may work if they seem friendly and socialized (perhaps from a previous owner). But if they are scared of you, they are probably a feral cat (not a stray) and have lived their entire life outside. For these cats, it\u2019s probably best to stick to porch feeding. You could provide an outdoor shelter<\/a> for them, though, to make life a little more comfortable.<\/p>\n Before you bring your new friend inside, you want to make sure they aren\u2019t actually someone else\u2019s pet and that they don\u2019t have a contagious disease. Your veterinarian can help with both of these issues. They can check for a microchip and make sure the cat doesn\u2019t actually belong to your neighbor down the street and is just touring the neighborhood for extra treats. Your veterinarian can also make sure your new friend doesn\u2019t have any diseases that could spread to other household cats (e.g., feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus) or you (e.g., rabies<\/a>). This first exam will probably include a general health check, vaccinations<\/a> and a microchip. Remember that indoor cats need vaccinations<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n Your vet will also check for and treat any internal and external parasites<\/a> \u2014 because you don\u2019t want to introduce anything other than the cat into your home. You may also want to spay or neuter the cat so they\u2019re less likely to mark inside your house and will be more likely to stay with you. Depending on the results of their checkup, your new kitty may need to hang out at the veterinary clinic until they can safely interact with the people and pets in your household.<\/p>\n Your new cat has survived the challenge of living in the great outdoors and all the dangers that come along with that, but now they need to be protected from any dangers lurking inside your home. If this will be the first cat living in your house, you need to make sure it\u2019s a catproof home before<\/em> your new friend comes inside. This includes removing or covering any potentially hazardous chew toys (e.g., electrical cords, toxic plants, small objects) and making sure windows and screens are securely fastened. Remember to look up as well. A lot of cats feel the most secure and comfortable resting in high places<\/a>, so look at the top of your cabinets and shelves to make sure there\u2019s nothing too valuable up there \u2014 in case it does get \u201caccidentally\u201d pushed off.<\/p>\n You want your cat\u2019s new home to be a comfortable space for them, but it\u2019s probably going to take them a few days or even weeks to get used to their new environment. To help them adjust, start by keeping them in a single room that has everything they need. This includes food and water bowls, a comfy bed and a kennel or box to hide in. You can keep their natural hunting and climbing instincts satisfied by placing a cat tree near a window, providing a scratching post and hiding treats around the room.<\/p>\n Perhaps the most important thing that your cat will need to adjust to (at least, according to you) is using a litter box. Place the litter box as far from food and water bowls as possible and start with unscented, clumpable litter. You should scoop the box daily and avoid using covered or self-cleaning litter boxes (for now).<\/p>\nVeterinarian Check First, Cuddles Second<\/h2>\n
A Safe Place to Call Home<\/h2>\n
Adjusting to Indoor Life Takes Time<\/h2>\n