How To Keep A Cat From Running Away: 13 Simple Ways

Cat lovers wonder how to keep a cat from running away indoors and at the same time keep them happy and healthy.

In this article, I will outline all the necessary things you should do as a cat owner to keep your cat from running away.

Am a cat owner, who has lots of experience with cats and have written lots of articles about cats, so I will share my experiences.

Owning a cat comes with lots of responsibilities which include lots of care, affection, and protection.

Cats are known as pets who love to roam about when they are giving the opportunity to do so.

These opportunities to roam about make it easier for them to run away, and most times never come home.

Let’s now discuss how to keep a cat from running away, which if you fail as the cat owner can land you in trouble of searching up and down.

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How To Keep A Cat From Running Away

Here are the best 13 tested and proven ways of keeping a cat from running away, which are as follows:

Spaying or neutering your cat keeps the cat from running away

Cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered are more likely to stray than cats who have been neutered.

Un-neutered cats may venture far from home in quest of mates. Because they don’t want to reproduce, neutered cats tend to stay closer to home.

You’ll feel better knowing your cat isn’t adding to the pet overpopulation issue if it does get out.

The use of cat barriers keeps a cat from running away

When your cat approaches the door, she wears a unique collar and hears a warning beep.

If she continues, she will be reminded to keep her distance from the door with a gentle, harmless static reprimand.

It’s a reliable and safe method of teaching your door-dashing cat to stay inside.

Pet proofing barriers are a simple and effective solution to keep your cat away from the door.

Cat-proofing your compound keeps the cat from running away

Cat-proofing your compound simply entails ensuring that your cat has no escape routes; this is typically accomplished by erecting a cat-proof fence around the exact area where you want your cat to reside or live.

This is the most successful method for preventing a cat from fleeing the house, and it is widely employed in the United States.

It takes a little money to create, but after you see the benefits, you’ll agree with me that it’s worth a shot.

Once you’ve Cat-Proofed your house, you’ll have the peace of mind that your cat is secure and won’t run away when you’re not looking.

If your home is cat-proof, you’ll need to do a few additional things to keep your cat from getting separation anxiety, which brings us to the following item.

This is one of the most effective methods for preventing a cat from fleeing.

Craft a game and play with your cat to keep them from running away

Always make time to play or be with your cat, as this will assist you and your cat form stronger ties and trust over time, preventing your cat from fleeing.

Make a mental game that you may play with your dog whenever you have free time.

You may also schedule playtime with your cat by day of the week.

Let’s suppose you set out three or two days every week for your cat.

You may play hide-and-seek with your cat, and don’t forget to thank your cat for spending time with you every week.

Always offer your cat love and attention, play a game with your cat-like hide-and-seek, and keep your cat occupied is a great method to keep or stop your cat from running away from you.

Providing good and interactive play toys keeps a cat from running away

Good play toys will always be an efficient technique of preventing your cat from fleeing as well as resolving your cat’s separation anxiety.

Toys may keep your cat occupied for hours.

There are many wonderful cats play toys available, so purchase as many as you can afford so that your cat may choose which one he or she prefers.

Do not expect your cat to enjoy any play item you purchase; there will be no reason to get a toy that your cat will not enjoy.

Cats are intelligent pets, so give them one, two, or three favorite toys to keep them occupied while they play.

Because it is a waste of resources if the cats do not play with the toy, let them make their own decisions and choices.

Early socialization keeps a cat from running away

Socializing your cat from the kitten stages is important for keeping your cat all to yourself, and there are various ways to do it.

Take trips with your cat, go for an evening stroll down the street, visit packs, other cat owners, family members, and buy cat cartoon movies, among other things.

A well-socialized cat would never consider leaving home for any reason; but, if you over socialize a cat, the cat will become overly active and will always want to play, requiring your attention, which can lead to other problems if you are not paying attention.

If you socialize your cat properly, you will have a good cat that will rarely want to leave your sight.

Maintaining a daily routine keeps cat from running away

Providing your cat something to do at all times, keeping a consistent daily schedule may help him stop wanting to run away.

Giving your cat high-quality food and plenty of attention will distract him or her from the desire to go outside.

This will benefit you since you will be glad to know that your cat is safe from the dangers of going outside.

Rewarding desired behaviors keep cats from running away

Cats like being spoiled with treats, and treating them will deepen your bond with your feline companion.

Cats are perceptive pets who can recognize when they’ve done something wrong and when they’ve done something well.

Make time to compliment your cat on their accomplishments.

This will encourage them to keep on track so that they can be rewarded.

If your cat wants to go outside and you call it, and it comes or replies, be sure to praise it.

When you call them again, they will be more likely to come.

As a consequence, you may utilize the incentive technique to keep your cat from going outside on a regular basis.

Keeping a clean litter boxes cat keep a cat from running away

Cats are among the cleanest pets you can have if they are properly trained.

Cats do not like to use a filthy litter box, which may cause them to seek out a location where they feel conditions are better.

Because you choose to keep a cat as a pet, it is your responsibility to provide for them, including feeding, cleaning, and caring for them.

Regularly inspecting the litter box can allow you to anticipate when your cat is attempting to become unwell and contact the doctor.

The cat may be cared for with regular clean water in the water and high-quality food.

As a result, treating your cat with comprehensive care reduces the probability that your cat will want to run away.

Creating a cat-friendly environment keeps cats from running away

A cat-friendly setting is one in which the cat has all he or she needs to feel comfortable.

As a result, the environment you create for your cat is extremely important.

Cats are territorial creatures who prefer to be in control of their environment at all times.

Creating a healthy cat environment offers your cat a sense of control and reduces the desire for your cat to go outside.

You may utilize your basement as a cat territory while keeping it functional if you have one.

Cats prefer to nap in the afternoon in a calm, peaceful environment.

You may turn a section of your basement or garage into a cat kingdom that is only for your cat by providing cat trees or shelves for an afternoon nap.

If you give this cat tree or shelves, your cat will seek refuge in your basement when it’s noisy or hot outside, or even while you’re not home.

You’ve reduced the possibility that your cat will want to run away after he’s been acclimated to the cat-friendly environment in your basement.

Exposing cats to the outside world keeps the cat from running away

This may seem weird, but in most cases in life, you allow people to get what they want in order to create checks and balances.

If your cat wants to go outside, despite the issues that come with allowing them to go outside, get a good tracker and let them go, then take them outside and walk them.

Cats are aware of their environment and make their own decisions, so once you’ve done everything you can for the cat, let it go.

The cat will now understand that staying at home rather than going out on its own is preferable.

You may also take your cat to places that are noisy because cats do not perform well in them.

Provide alternative exit and entrance to keep cats from running away

You might provide another exit door to deter your cat from going outside. It’s the same as having two escape exits in one building.

Try an alternative exit if your cat is usually hanging out the front door, waiting for someone to open it by accident.

Use the rear door or the garage door instead of the front door to enter and depart.

Another excellent option is to exit and re-enter through the doorway of the lounge area.

Once you’ve walked through the first door, close it firmly behind you and make sure your cat doesn’t follow you.

When your cat walks through the first door before leaving the second door, which actually leads out, you’ll be able to see him and bring him back inside.

When people arrive, move your cat to a separate room until the celebration is over.

This way, your cat will not be there when people walk in via the main entrance to jump.

Provide more entertainment to keep cats from running away

Cats are inquisitive pets who are always curious about what’s going on around them, and you may take advantage of their curiosity.

Keeping your cat engaged by showing him pleasant cat TV episodes or cat cartoon movies is the best way to do it.

A cat may be delighted and pleased for several hours by watching a cat on TV.

Some cats may even try to replicate the behavior of the movie cat; in fact, most cats will jump up and down, certain that the cat on TV is real.

If you can sit with your cat and stroke your palm from the top of its head to the bottom of its tail while they watch TV, this method works best.

It’s also worth noting that teaching your cat to sit and watch TV from the beginning may relieve a lot of tension by keeping him engaged.

If you can learn your cat to sit and watch them, there are a multitude of cat videos and even talking cat cartoon movies available to keep your cat engaged and away from the outside world.

Why lost cats never returned home again

Your cat might have been a victim of one of the following circumstances, which means you won’t be able to find it if it goes missing:

Maybe your cat got picked up by the Animal Control team
Let’s say your cat was picked up by another cat lover who thinks your cat is “lost”
What if your cat was rescued by someone who thinks your cat is abandoned, neglected, or a stray
Maybe your cat got abducted for gain by professional (cat nappers)
What if your cat was abducted by others for inhumane purposes (dog-baiting, ritual sacrifice)
Let’s say your cat got trapped and “disposed of” by a cat-hating neighbor
What if your cat got involved in an accidental “abduction” (Cat hides in a vehicle; is driven out of the area).