Cat owners--how do you keep your indoor cat from going stir-crazy?

[raccoon]

My cat's not an indoor cat, but she's been in two days now and this morning woke me at 4:30 am.

[MrCoffee]

1. indoor cats should be shaken, not stirred.

[begin_within]

2. Get another cat (or a very small dog) and buy lots of catnip and toys.

[huskerlaw]

3. I bought mine a kitten

Seriously. I got him a playmate. That took care of the boredom.

However, if you're trying to make an indoor-outdoor cat into an indoor-only cat, there's going to be an adjustment period. There's really not much you can do about that.

You might try playing with the cat a LOT before you go to bed. Wear it out. Or try to keep it awake and interested more during the day.

Good luck!

[MrCoffee]

4. why has she moved inside?

is it just a temporary thing, or is she in lockdown for good?

[raccoon]

7. Just temporary. Yesterday she hid from me and today it was

pouring down rain, so I left her inside.

[NV Whino]

5. I succumbed to the lure of the laser pen

It works. Keeps them/he/she running and then they are ready to sleep... and let you sleep.

[ceile]

6. Another cat to beat up on.

My cats have gone from in/out to in only and back again, depending on if I lived in an apt. or house. There is an adjustment period, usually about a week, and then they are fine.
Give your baby a few more days, but having a playmate would definitely help.

[cwydro]

13. so glad to hear

that other cats expeience what mine have. Right now they are back to being inside, but I have three and they play together...(also getting older.) Most of their lives they were able to go in and out.... One is perfectly happy inside (the 12 year old) The other two I let out at night through a window, which I close at daybreak. So far this has been working for the one who HATES being inside.

[madinmaryland]

8. We have three and they keep themselves amused.

They spend most of the morning chasing and tormenting each other.

[sfdiva]

9. just give her attention ...

My cat has always been an indoor cat but when he is stir crazy i play with him or throw one of his toys

[borlis]

10. My cats never go outside so I guess they don't know

what they are missing. They are very content to sit by the open sliding door screen. I am sure once cats start going out, it's hard to get them to stay in.

[SOteric]

11. On the occassions when StirFry has to stay indoors,

I note that he can be pretty easily distracted. Bouncie toys, little skittering balls, a good long grooming are all things he'll happily abandon his urge to go out for, if only temporarily. So, on the occassions when he has to stay in, I stock up on cat nip toys, fuzzies for his cat dancer, clean his brushes and prepare myself with a host of distractions for him.

[jrandom421]

12. Catnip!

"Better living through chemistry" Dupont Ad copy
"Finest tops and blossoms" Cosmic Catnip

[cwydro]

14. Catnip

works wonders...