OUR TOM CAT SMOKEY

Question
OUR CAT IS AN INDOOR CAT AND IS ABOUT 9MTHS. OLD....WE WANT TO TEACH HIM TO BE AN OUTSIDE CAT THAT STAYS OUTSIDE BUT COMES IN ALSO....WE ARE AFRAID HE WILL RUN OFF AND GET LOST....HOW CAN WE PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING....HE GOT OUT ONCE AND IT TOOK US ALL DAY TO FIND HIM....WE CAN'T HAVE HIM INSIDE ANYMORE BECAUSE HE IS ALWAYS JUMPING ON THE KITCHEN COUNTERS AND GETTING INTO FOOD THAT IS THERE....HE ALSO HAS EATEN ONE OF OUR GOLDFISH AND TORN UP OUR SOFA FROM CLAWING AT IT....HE IS EXTREMELY FRIENDLY AND LOVING TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING STRANGERS....HOW CAN WE ACCOMPLISH OUR GOAL OF MAKING HIM AN OUTSIDE CAT?  SMOKEY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET IF THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Answer
Hi Jason,


I sympathize with your problem with Smokey. Sometimes cats can drive you crazy. But putting him outside and risking him running away or getting killed is not the answer. The first thing you want to do is neuter him. This will calm him down a bit. He sounds a bit bored. Get some interactive toys like a laser pointer or a feather cat teaser. Use these with him. There is a great toy that walmart has that hooks onto a door and has a mouse type of thingy that cats love to bat around.
To keep him off the counters you can use one of two things that work good. Either line the counters with foil,(cats hate walking on it), or get some of that clear plastic carpet runner material. If you turn this over there are little plastic spikes on it. It won't hurt your cat but will keep him off the counter until he learns. As for the clawing, get him a good scratching post. Also once a week trim his nails. This works great.
If he is getting into food is he getting enough for himself? If he is, give him treats at certain times of the day so that he looks to you for his snackies not the counter. Good luck with these tips. You will be happier trying these out on him rather than worrying if he got killed outside. Let me know how it goes.

Ciao, Karen