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wikiHow to Keep a Cat Indoors

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Keeping a cat indoors can have a tremendously positive effect on the cat's lifelong health and happiness. Indoor cats are far less exposed to the risks posed by outdoor activity, including diseases, fleas and ticks, exposure to harmful substances, fights with other animals, and more. However, keeping a cat indoors has its own challenges, including maintaining exercise and preventing boredom. Learning how to keep a cat indoors will allow your pet to live a long, safe, happy life.


  1. 1
    Spay or neuter your cat. This is an absolute must for keeping a cat indoors, especially so if you have multiple cats. Neutering and spaying makes cats more sociable, less territorial, and inhibits their tendency to roam. Cats that have not been fixed will not adjust as well to being kept indoors, especially if they used to have access to the outdoors.
  2. 2
    Give your cat plenty of toys to play with. To compensate for the lack of outdoor exploration and adventure, indoor cats will need toys to divert their attention and provide them with exercise and stimulation. Small, inexpensive toys like stuffed mice and plastic balls are often the most entertaining for cats, and can be played with even while you are away. Other toys require your interaction, such as fishing-pole style toys that let you dangle a feather or piece of fabric in front of your cat.
    • You should occasionally use catnip with these toys. Catnip is a plant that provides natural, healthy stimulation to your cat. This added stimulation is especially important for indoor cats.
    • Using toys that require you to interact with the cat will help you to bond and create a better relationship with your pet.
  3. 3
    Make sure your cat can see out a window. Indoor cats will be much less bored and anxious if they have visual access to the outdoors. Make sure there is at least 1 uncluttered windowsill for them to sit on. It is best if the cat can access a window that receives direct sunlight, because this natural light improves their mood.
  4. 4
    Ensure that your cat has access to privacy. Privacy is one of the chief needs of any cat, so you need to make sure to provide a secluded, secure area where your cat can hide. The spot should be comfortable and ideally accessible from only 1 direction - this will make the cat feel safer. You may not need to go out of your way to create a secluded spot, however; you may find your cat enjoying a nap tucked away behind a piece of furniture or in a closet. You might also want to consider getting an indoor cat cage for him to stay in.
  5. 5
    Provide your cat with a scratching surface. Cats need to scratch, so do not attempt to break them of the habit in an effort to save your furniture. Cats scratch to relieve stress, tension, and boredom, and it also keeps their muscles in shape. Provide your cat with a scratching post and position it in an area where the cat already spends time; your cat will not likely be willing to go out of its way to scratch the post. Reward the cat with treats to encourage it to use the post instead of your furniture.
  6. 6
    Make sure the cat's litter box is in a relatively secluded area. Cats like privacy when using the restroom just like humans do. Make sure the litter box is in a low-traffic area. It should be positioned so that it is unlikely that you or another one of your pets will interrupt the cat when it's using the box.
  7. 7
    If all else fails, just keep the doors and windows shut. If you need to open a window for a while, shut the door to that room so the cat can't get out.

Community Q&A

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  • If I had an outdoor cat, would it be cruel to bring her inside?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Not necessarily. You can do it gradually, bringing your cat in a bit longer each day until your cat is used to being inside. Make sure your cat has a scratching post and some toys to keep it entertained.
  • My cat keeps escaping, and my family and I are sick of it! What do I do?
    Try to keep them content indoors. Play with them, let them exercise and run around, make sure they have toys. Keep them away from the door. If they try to escape while you're opening the door to leave, have someone hold them back while you leave. Don't take them outside too often either, as it will give them a taste for the outdoors. A window open is fine, a balcony door open is not. It's really up to you to watch your cat and make sure it is not given opportunities to escape, just as you would watch a child. Alternatively, you could simply accept your cat's ventures outdoors.
  • How can you make your cat happy indoors if he's happier outdoors?
    Keep windows open to create an outdoor ambiance, play with him, let him exercise and run around the house. Consider buying or making a cat play structure to keep him active and happy.
  • If my cat has been an outside cat for eight years but must now stay inside, will he use the litter box?
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  • If you are attempting to keep a cat indoors that has been allowed outside until now, the adjustment process will take longer. Try to keep your cat engaged by spending extra time playing with them while they adjust to being inside.
  • Note that not all cats respond to catnip.

Things You'll Need

  • Toys
  • Catnip
  • Scratching post

Article Info

Categories: House Training Cats

In other languages:

Español: mantener a un gato dentro de la casa, Português: Manter um Gato Dentro de Casa, Italiano: Tenere un Gatto in Casa

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