How To Train A Cat To Be Outdoors
Introduction
Like any animal, a cat needs a routine to feel safe and secure. A routine will help you identify your cat’s preferences for when it wants to go outside and when it wants to stay home. Before long, you’ll be able to let your cat outdoors without worrying that it will get lost. In addition to establishing a daily schedule, you’ll also want to create a dedicated outdoor area where the cat can do its business without disturbing you or other people in the house.
Establish a routine.
Establishing a routine is a great way to provide your cat with regular expectations, which can make life less stressful for both of you. A predictable schedule will help your cat feel comfortable and secure, and it will be easier for you to keep track of what’s going on in their lives.
Routines don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming; the key is consistency! If you’re consistent with all aspects of your routine—feeding times, play sessions, cleaning times—your cat will learn what is expected and when it should occur.
Consistency means short routines that are easy to remember: no more than ten minutes at most (and preferably much shorter), three times per day at regular intervals such as right after breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime so everyone knows exactly when they’ll be able to sit down and relax without having someone else around who wants attention first.
The best way we’ve found is by using fun toys like laser pointer toys which cats love chasing after because they give off light reflections that look like small birds flying around outdoors instead of indoors where there aren’t any windows looking out onto trees nearby where real birds might live outside instead inside where there are no windows looking out onto trees nearby where real birds might fly past sometimes but not as often as indoors
Use rewards to encourage good behavior.
When training your cat to be outdoors, you must reward good behavior. The best way to do this is with food and toys. Food can be given in the form of treats or even their normal meal at dinner time if they are being especially good. It is important that you reward them immediately after they perform a desired action, such as going outside on their own or using the litter box before it becomes full (this will not take long for most cats). This can be done by patting them on their heads or rubbing around their ears until they calm down enough to go back inside.
Make your cat’s environment comfortable.
You can make your cat’s environment comfortable by adding “cat” furniture, like a scratching post and a cat bed. You may also want to buy a couple of toys for them to play with outside. They will be less likely to venture out if they are bored or lonely!
The main thing you need in your yard is shade; it is important that your feline friend do not get too hot in the sun on those hot summer days!
Don’t scold; praise.
- Don’t scold the cat; praise it.
As a first-time cat owner, it will be tempting to scold your new feline friend for doing something you don’t like. In fact, this is an instinctive reaction for many people who are frustrated with their pets. But when training a cat to be outdoors, do not scold or punish your pet if she makes a mistake—even if it’s just once or twice in one day! Instead of reprimanding your outdoor kitty for her transgressions, praise her when she does something good (like using the litter box). That way she’ll learn what behavior gets rewarded and what doesn’t get rewarded by you as an owner—and soon enough she’ll know exactly how much time outside is allowed each day too!
Don’t force your cat outdoors if it doesn’t want to go out.
As mentioned above, cats are more comfortable in the safety of their home, and forcing them outdoors can cause frustration and stress. If you have a cat that doesn’t like going outside but is still curious about it, you may want to try these tips:
- Make sure the cat has toys available inside (and out) so it always has something fun to do when it gets bored.
- Provide a safe outdoor space where your cat can lounge in the sun or scratch on trees while staying close by. This might be on a balcony or deck, as long as there’s nothing dangerous nearby (like dogs).
- If possible, bring some treats outside with you so your kitty can see what all the fuss is about!
Bring your cat to the vet regularly.
Cats are more likely to hide illness than dogs. The fact that they’re good at hiding it means that you should take your cat to the vet regularly so he can be checked up on and monitored for health issues. Cats often show few symptoms of illness until they’re very sick, so if your cat is acting like something is wrong—such as not eating his food or sleeping more than usual—don’t wait around until he gets worse. Bring him in right away so the vet can diagnose him with whatever ailment has struck and treat it before it becomes a big problem for him (and for you).
Training a cat can be done with patience and understanding of their unique needs and personality
Training a cat can be done but it takes patience and understanding of the cat’s unique needs and personality. The most important thing to remember when training a cat is that they are not dogs. Cats do not respond as well to forceful teaching methods as dogs do, so avoid yelling at or otherwise scolding your kitty if he doesn’t obey you right away. Instead, try to find ways for him or her to discover things on their own so that they aren’t too stressed out by the process of learning new behaviors and routines.
Conclusion
If you follow the steps outlined in this article and take your time, your cat will have no trouble being trained to be comfortable outdoors and you can enjoy spending quality time with one of nature’s most majestic creatures.