Hi there, so I know this is a VERY google-able topic, but I was hoping I could find some personal advice from other cat owners.
So two months ago I rescued a maine coon mix neutered male cat from my mother’s friend who’s older cats were bullying him. He had become completely anxious, withdrawn and skittish due to those cats. I took him in when I found out. I have two small dogs who he doesn’t like, but they don’t chase him or seek him out so his discomfort from them is nowhere near what it was with the other cats. They coexist fairly peacefully.
My biggest issue I’m dealing with with him is that he was a freely indoor/outdoor cat with his previous owners. I have read so much about the difference in the quality of life and length of life with outdoor cats vs indoor cats. Most things point to indoor being better always. I’m on month three of attempting to adjust him to being inside. After a few weeks of consistent spraying and being anxious, he adjusted to the house and the animals in it. Began exploring happily and interacting with the whole house. However, with that came his desire to go outside again. He mewls at the door all day long and obsessively stares out the window. He has toys, treats and furniture for him to enjoy, he has a feliway diffuser, he has calming treats suggested by the vet, and yet he continuously sprays and cries at the door and darts as soon as he gets the chance.
The other members of my home are insisting he should be allowed outside. However I live in a townhouse unit, where there are about 50 other townhouses. There are a ton of neighbourhood dogs and cats that roam freely. As well as that a ton of birds, and surrounded all ways by roads, one of which is fairly busy. I’m freaking out that he will get hurt outside. But also he seems absolutely freaking miserable in his current state despite being happy before he realized he wanted to go outside. He won’t even play with catnip anymore. He just lays at the door all day waiting for a chance to run out.
What should I do? I hate watching him suffer, he sprays when he knows I’m looking and tries to guide me to the door any time I get up. I want to think he’ll adjust but right now there seems to be no end in sight no matter how much I catify my home or how many new entertainment items I buy for him.
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/m0zoxi/im_scared_im_making_my_new_cat_miserable_please/
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