Keeping Kitties inside

[aligator79]

Does anyone have and suggestions for making an indoor/outdoor kitty an indoor only kitty?  We have decided that Taz needs to become and inside kittty, therefore means Oliver and Lucy do also.  Taz has this poor pitiful me look on his face when he's sitting by the door wanting out.  Lucy just meows until we give up and let her out.  It's been less than 24 hours and we are already going nuts.

[aligator79]

I've got the kitty porch almost finished, but it's probably a waste of time.  We have decided to allow them out during daylight and make them come in once it's dark.  The more we kept them in the more they wanted out and fight us to get through the door.  My father has Parkinson's and can't move fast enough to get out the door without letting them out and I don't want him falling or getting hurt tripping over one of the cats.  Totally not the ideal but what it's going to have to be.  

We are hoping once I get the porch done- carpet laid, cushions covered, etc... They will go out there and play, but I'm not holding my breath.

[aligator79]

Jade- They use the litter box really well.  I just have to keep remembering to clean them.  Too many years of them just going outside and not worrying about it. UGH

Nancy-  We haven't been letting her out even though she howls.  They won't go anyway- it's too cold and snowy.  Taz is the polar bear and doesn't mind it unless it's really bad.  We haven't had the cat door open all winter because it's been really cold and snowy and we have a raccoon that likes to come in, so they have to bug us to let them out the front door.  Tuesday was 65 and sunny.  Wed and thur 5 inches of snow and 28 degrees.  It really irritates them.  :)

[nancyjac]

You need to stop reinforcing the behavior you are trying to stop.  Letting the cat out because she is meowing at the door only reinforces that behavior.  Ignore her and she will stop.

[Jade59]

Hey Ali, Although I don't have a suggestion for you, I commend you for making the decision to keep your kitties indoors.  I know they're driving you nuts and if anyone has a good suggestion on how to get through the transition of turning an outdoor cat to indoor and not lose your mind, I will be so happy to hear it !!!

Are they using the box readily or holding it?

I wish you All the luck!!!  Big Hugs!