Help with 1 year old kitten that wants to be outdoors

[u/floorskin69]

Hello, my 1 year old neutered boy Rocket seems to want to be outside more than he does inside. My wife and I will try to walk him on a harness and leash once a day but he will spend so much time crying, yelling, and jumping at our front door that it gets to the point that I get so angry and annoyed. I don’t take him out when he’s acting this way but I’ll put him in his pen for a bit until he’s calm, but then once he’s out he will do it again. He will even do this in the middle of the night when we are sleeping. I can’t get him to stop this behavior, how can I curb this?

Also, when I go to open that door (only door to outside in hour house) he bolts for the door and runs outside. I want to curb this behavior too. Now our newer kitten is trying to follow his lead and do the same. We have a screen door that we’ll open for them to look out at times but then Rocket will scream at that door until we open it so he can try to sneak out. It’s been hell coming home and having him try to escape after a long day of work.

If anyone has advice on this, that would be great. I’m losing my mind. I love my boy but I can’t live like this.

[u/Project_Pobblebonk]

Maybe a catio might help? Not sure what your garden/yard situation is, but maybe if he can come and go as he pleases to a controlled/enclosed outside area might help.

[u/floorskin69 → u/Project_Pobblebonk]

Although this is a great idea, as of right now I don’t have the ability or space to do this :-(

[u/gutsylady2 → u/floorskin69]

They also make some smaller patios so to speak that will fit into windows… But yes, I’ve known of cats that have been able to push through regular screens so it needs to be special in that way.… I have seen they have mesh and kits that you can attach to even make a small porch catio. Some are actually made for people that have apartments and are fairly inexpensive as well which is a bonus.

[u/Initial-Addendum-167 → u/floorskin69]

Is it cost? They have portable / rollable for apartments, or window units (as someone else mentioned). My son and I built ours. There's a ton of build videos on YouTube. Most ratios cost around $100. Catio definitely solved our cats need outdoors problem.

Also, I have a friend who takes her cat out in a pet stroller. Seems silly, but made her kitty so happy.

[u/bccyote]

Routine is key. Take him out at the same time daily. He’ll be comforted knowing it’s part of his day and less likely to freak out. This worked for my cat. Also Jackson galaxy has a great video on how to prevent door dashing.

[u/Certain_Return_6274]

Nobody wants their cats to be unhappy but everybody wants their cats to stay alive which means you have to keep the cats in the house. Make your house interesting for them and start off getting them cat tunnels they love to go in them they love to play in them. Lots of toys, lots of cat trees where they can go up high. Just make sure that they are super sturdy because they'll tip if they're cheap. Sometimes you just can't give your cats everything they want. There are foxes there are coyotes there are cars, and there are crazy people out there. Got to keep them inside.

[u/sezel4]

The cheapest idea I have that you could possibly be doing - do not react to what he does. If he bolts, move him inside without a fuss. Don't take him on walks, don't tell or show frustration at him crying.

It will take a while, but it's the cheapest I can muster. Cats go off reactions. Sometimes removing the reaction can help. It takes great discipline to not show frustration at a cat meowing at all hours.