My sick outdoor cat is unhappy indoors. How to make them happy?

Thank you for helping her out! Some cats do prefer the outdoors and can be a little depressed when kept indoors. I would recommend getting her some toys and a scratching post. You can get different surfaces for the scratching post and some come with cat nip to attract the cat even more. There are lots of different toys to choose from. Get a variety. There are also interactive toys that dispense treats as the cat plays. This may keep her busy and brighten her spirits. Good luck!

Hi there. I am sorry to hear about Tikvichko's troubles. I will try to address each part of your question one by one, to see if I can advise you accordingly. First, you mentioned that he is very thin. Taking into consideration that Tikvichko goes outdoors, I would try to rule out intestinal parasites first and foremost. He is also getting a little bit older if he's around 6 years old. Cats and dogs are considered senior patients at age 7. I would make sure to run some tests that can help check for the following conditions, as they can cause weight loss in adult/senior cats - hyperthryoidism (meaning he would have an overactive thyroid and a fast metabolism that will not allow him to keep weight on), diabetes (cats and dogs with diabetes can lose weight, or remain very thin), kidney disease (can also cause poor weight gain). Secondly, if Tikvichko is going outside, he may exposed to other cats. These cats can pass respiratory bacteria and viruses on to him. He can get upper respirato

This is so hard. I think some cats get a taste of outdoors, especially when they start hunting, and they want it all the time. Once they know what is out there, it is very hard to move them back indoors. It is probably worth trying Feliway, which is a pheromone to help with anxiety. If that doesn't work, and you would consider re-homing him to where he can be outside, that is always an option, although obviously a very difficult choice. Feliway: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=37240

Some cats are truly happier being outdoor cats as then enjoy roaming and hunting. It does have some safety issues but happiness may be more important. If you try to keep a safe box and food in a special place for her, she will likely return to come visit and eat and come and go

Great question! I have always kept my cats as indoor only, and they are perfectly happy. I make sure they have enrichment in the form of toys, and I have a cat tree with platforms off the ground so they can climb up. I also keep it near a window so they can look out and lay in the sun. You can get window platforms for Raven to lie on and look out the window. It truly is safer for them to be indoors, and as long as you provide enrichment in the forms I recommended above, she will be happy. I hope this helps!

What handsome kitties! This can be a tough problem. If you are moving them indoors I would consider trying the Feliway multicat pheromone diffusers in your home as well as Composure chews (a calming supplement) or Zylkene for cats. These products can be found online or at your vet. I would consider getting harnesses to take your cats outside for " walks". If the cats are miserable indoors you can also have special cat fencing installed to keep them in your yard or build an outdoor enclosure for them.

Most cats will eventually settle down and adapt to life indoors. Her set up sounds wonderful and I'm glad you have taken the time to get everything in order for her. Here are a few things you can do which may also help. Try enriching his environment. Here is a great article about cat's instinctual needs: https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-every-cat-needs-a-place-to-climb/ Use a Feliway diffuser, set aside 30 minutes a day for vigorous play and/or switch the food to Royal Canin Calm (when Mimi is 1 year old) . You may also try feeding her from a food puzzle and/or hiding food around the house for her to find. The veterinarian can also prescribe medications which can help with behavior if needed. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

These symptoms are definitely of concern and most likely a sign of illness and not depression. It is not any fault of yours, but he does need to see a veterinarian to determine the cause of his illness. They may recommend running bloodwork to check for signs of systemic illness such as kidney disease or infection, and may want to test his for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids since he was an outdoor cat before he came to you.

Poor Tom. Lacking in energy can be due to an illness, but because it's a common symptom of many illnesses, I can't say what is causing it. Since he is outdoor, it could also be that he's injured. I would see if you can find a vet who can come to your house to check him out, as he does need veterinary care.

Fortunately, cats don't usually seem to mind having a smaller indoor space to live in - they spend the majority of their day resting or sleeping, with bouts of play or other activity in between, so normally they don't need a large living space. But, moving to a new home can definitely be stressful for them, since they are often easily upset by any changes to their environment or daily routine - so I would imagine that your kitty is simply adjusting to the move. You can spend some extra time petting or playing with him for the next couple of weeks to help him settle in. You may also want to try a Feliway pheromone diffuser to help encourage him to relax and feel like your new home is "his".