Tail Amputated

Question
Hi, my 10 or 11 old cat, Bird, recently seriously injured her tail, we don't know how (but think she might have tried jumping from a chain fence and the tail got caught), and it had to be amputated at the base. She wasn't the most coordinated cat before the operation, but I'm concerned about how well she will adjust now. She was a half and half outdoor/indoor cat, will confining her to soley indoors just make adjusting worse for her? I just want her to be as safe AND happy as possible.

Answer
Hi Sarah,

I used to live on a farm, and my cats went in and out as they pleased.  When I had to move onto a main road, I decided to make my cats indoor-only cats.  They did have an adjustment period of a couple of months.  During the worst of it, they dodged for the door at every chance, and then they started to settle down, taking a chance only now and then.  Cats are very much creatures of habit, and no matter what the behavior is that needs retraining, they tend to be a little resistant.  After a short time, the cats started to accept that the outdoors were off limits, and ten years later, those same cats won't even go near the door.  And they have been healthier and safer, and lived longer, than any of the cats I'd ever had who went in and out.  

I believe they're happier, too.  They're a lot more affectionate, spend more time interacting with the family, and they keep up on their grooming better.  Not to mention that there are no territorial neighborhood kitties or wildlife that they may be having issues with.

Inside is certainly the safest place for her, and if you decide you want to make the conversion, doing it while she's recovering would be the best time.  I'm making the assumption that the vet has ordered that she stays in until the surgical site has healed, and I would take this opportunity to keep her in permanently.  This is going to be the worst part of her "withdrawal".  If you can get past the first few weeks, you can get through it.

The important part is to provide her with plenty of entertainment indoors.  Lots of toy mice (the real fur kind are the best), balls, interactive toys like laser pointers and ribbon wands, scratching posts, and a nice perch in a window.  Place a bird feeder outside her favorite window if possible, or even consider playing her a video by Video Catnip.  You should be able to successfully convert her into an indoor cat without too much trouble.

Good luck!

Jessica