How to keep a cat inside?

When a cats wants to go out, I know from experience that it's like trying to hold in Houdini!

I have one cat who still manages to get out...somehow, anyway:

What Ive suggest is to put her on a leash...with a harness, not a collar.

Have someone stand outside maybe hidden, and when you open the door, if she shoots out...have them gently squirt her. Do this a few times, so she begins to think that running out the door may not be the best idea. And you'll still have her on the harness.

I know it sounds a bit mean, but getting them to think the outside is a bit of a scary place is sometimes the best way. :-(

I'm sure there are other ideas out there, but keeping her in is really the best thing.

Good Luck~

Cats who like the outside are very hard to keep inside. You should put a collar with I.D. on it, so if someone finds her, they can call you instead of taking her to the H.S. Also, try your local Petsmart or Petco to see if they offer vaccination clinics, which are much cheaper than ordinary vets for this. If you get a nice kitty tower and put it by the window, she might like this. Put spray catnip on it, but don't expect it to keep her inside the house, all the time. Just part of the time. Two of our cats go outside. One climbs trees, the other just likes to sun himself and walk around and visit. We make sure they are inside before dark, when a lot of trouble can happen. Rattle the catfood bag, and then make sure to give her some when she comes inside. Give her some toys, inside. Other than that, you might need to allow her to be inside part of the time and outside part of the time, as long as she knows her way back home, which most cats do. MAKE SURE she is spayed. DO NOT allow her outside if she is not spayed. This is a sure way to lose her, get kittens, have something happen to her due to wandering too far or being harmed by the male cats.

Like it or not, cats are wild animals.

With that said, they prefer the outdoors to being indoors.

If you put up boundaries, they will just eventually leave you for ever, so find a happy medium that makes both you and the cat happy.

With most, this is a small door in your door that they can come and go as they please.

And before I get attacked for saying this, yes indoor cats live a lot longer than outdoor cats, but in their defense (the cats!) a year in freedom is worth twenty years in captivity (forced to be an indoor cat).

Just my worthless two cents worth.

perhaps if you could make some type of barrier outside of the door that you can step over, like baby gates around the outside of the door. it might give you the chance to catch her before she makes a run for it. shots cost ALOT, well most do. also, if you could block off like the hallway, or room that leads to the door it might stop her. she is probably bored of the indoors. get her something like a catnip mouse or a feather toy to keep her occupied.