Hi! re: your outdoor cat post, I'm curious about your opinion on people who say they can't transition their cat to be happy indoors? Sure truly feral cats aren't going to be lap cats overnight and possibly not ever, but especially with strays/socialized outdoor cats, I don't think I've ever seen one not be happy to be inside within a few months. So I'm wondering if all the people who SWEAR their cat needs to be outside to not be miserable don't even try, or if my anecdotal experience is skewed.
So there’s a couple complicated tiers to this question.
While I will remain by my statement that all cats will be better off inside, for multiple reasons that I’ve spoken about pretty much ad nauseum at this point.(Like here: https://happyhealthycats.tumblr.com/post/182461501550/hi-ive-been-following-you-for-a-while-and-today and here: https://happyhealthycats.tumblr.com/post/167894116755/letting-the-cats-out-of-the-bagerhouse)
There are situations where certain cats cannot have their needs met by certain cat guardians if they’re taken inside. Typically in those severe, very feral cases. That is NOT meant as a dig at the cat guardian, OR a statement that the cat cannot be happy inside, but sometimes a cat will require SO much that a particular cat guardian is unable to provide them exactly what they need. For instance, the cat may be unable to walk on a leash to to aversion to being handled, and a catio may be the best option. But the guardian may not have the money or space for the catio. There are a million other issues that can arise similar to this one, as well.
The cat guardian may have other cats, and having a feral cat in the house, with limited space, the biggest issue people usually run into is getting two or more cats to get along. It can be a VERY long and tedious process that a lot of people do not have the ability to see through. Not from lack of trying on their end, but because it can be very difficult to do.
And even in other situations, a feral cat may not be safe to be around other cats. Being feral means the cat will almost always be insecure about their food, and while long-term work will definitely help, the cat may not overcome it. If another cat is in their territory, or they feel threatened by the presence of another cat, it’s very possible that the feral cat may become very aggressive. Instead of learning to share their territory, if they had to defend their own while outside, it can be very difficult to shake off.
The solution for multicat harmony is options, and sometimes it gets to a point where the only options you can add is literally cutting holes in your walls for cat walkways. Yes, technically this IS an option, and of course, there are people who can afford to do things like this. But for the most part, a lot of people cannot.
So does this mean that some feral cats can’t be transitioned to inside only? Nope. They all can. They all SHOULD. All outdoor cats can become indoor cats. HOWEVER not every cat guardian can realistically become a feral cat guardian, if that makes sense. I’m also talking about VERY extreme cases. INCREDIBLY extreme. Rare, severe, atypical cases that are NOT average in any way. For the MOST PART, carefully monitoring cats, offering INCREDIBLY slow introductions, multiple feeding options, multiple litter box options, prime cat situations can lead to incredibly wonderful and fulfilling relationships for previously feral cats.
The very severe cases usually involve extremely special care. Single cat households that can cater very specifically to the needs of the feral cat. And while it’s ideal, I don’t think everyone has the ability to provide that. Not for lack of trying or care or well meaning, but because it can be tough to do.
But for the most part when I see the “my cat can’t be only indoor”, they aren’t talking about those rare cases. They’re talking about not trying anything else, or trying something for a week and having it not work, getting frustrated, and then just letting the cat back outside. If they even try anything else at all.
