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To Marge in OH who asked about how to keep her 1-year-old neutered, declawed male cat from scratching to get out (April 30):

Cats who are primarily or exclusively indoor cats are the ones most likely to get lost if they get out -- they don't know the area. And the fact that he's declawed would put him at a huge disadvantage in defending himself or escaping up a tree. Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor or indoor/outdoor ones do. Indoor cats don't get in fights, hit byt cars, and get far less exposure to diseases.

My cat was feral (wild). After befriending him (by feeding him) for months outdoors, I gradually lured him into my home. Got him neutered. Having been raised outdoors, he demanded to go in and out. I installed a cat door. But a few years later, he sometimes started getting convulsions when he went outside (don't know why -- probably some pesticide on a neighbor's lawn or garden). So I finally figured out a way to train him to use a cat box, plugged up the cat door, and for 7 months now, he's been exclusively an indoor cat (after 6 years of being either exclusively outdoor (his first year) and then indoor/outdoor). So even a former outdoor cat CAN be happy indoors.

You need a two-pronged strategy: 1) Discourage the scratching to get out, and 2) Keep him happy inside.

Discourage scratching by having a spray bottle of water kept right outside the door. Have it in hand whenever you open the door to come inside. If he rushes to get out, yell NO! and spray it at him. Be sure to change the water every few days, so it's fresh. When he scratches the door while you are inside, have a small tin (like a metal saltshaker) 1/3 filled with pennies. Go towards him and shake the penny jar and again yell NO! You can also have a spray bottle kept on the inside of the door. He will come to associate going outside, or even scratching to get out, with this loud, unpleasant noise and the unwelcome sprays (and your cross NO! voice/message).

Keep him happy, active, and stimulated with cat play toys, an occasional catnip treat, and games like follow the laser dot, hand under the covers (he can attack it at will; as long as there are a couple blankets protecting your hand), and spinning or rocking him on a swivel chair or rocker. A fish bowl (with the opening protected so he can't go fishing) would be nice, too.

It's doubtful he'll allow you to get another pet to keep him company; male cats, even neutered, are very possessive. So you must be his friend and occasional playmate.
Best of luck, Jeff in L.A.
 

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