7 tips to get your cat appreciate life indoors

Indoor cats generally live longer and healthier than cats that live outside. They are less exposed to aggression of other animals, some guys of bad intentions, toxic substances and other diseases.
Whether you decide to adopt a stray cat or simply keep your pet indoors, the transition is often complicated. Today, we present seven tips  to get your cat used to, or even appreciate, staying  indoors .

Take your time to gradually and gently habituate him to indoor life

Do not expect your cat, accustomed to the outdoors, to be immediately ready to become an indoor cat. Cats are territorial animals, very attached to their environment and for whom the transition can be stressful. At first, try to keep it indoors for one or two hours a day, and then gradually over longer and longer periods. Create more living spaces for your cat or kitten to get him feel at home and enjoy his time staying with you. Allow him time to explore and mark his smell rubbing against your furniture and walls, this will allow him to perceive your home as a safe place.
Make sure to put a litter ready and easy-accessed

A cat that has never lived indoors may have never used a litter before. Most cats instinctively understand the utility of litter, even if they have never seen one their whole life. Simply show him where the litter is and scratch it with your fingers to help him understand.

Provide your cat with a place to sharpen his claws

Sharpening claws is a healthy and natural behavior for cats. A cat living outside would have been surrounded by a multitude of natural scratches. Make sure to provide him with a place to sharpen his claws in order to preserve your sofa.

Turn your windows into a television screen

For a cat living outside, the environment in which it evolves brings it a constant stimulation coming from all the sounds, all the smells and all the movements that it comes across in the broad nature. Provided your cat is not too much confused or disoriented, place a cat tree near the window so that it can observe the outside world right from its pedestal.
You can even move things further and place a bird feeder in front of the window to provide extra stimulation for your cat.

Provide  cat grass

Outdoor cats may be accustomed to nibbling grass. Many professionals believe that the fibers in the grass help cats relieve potential stomach aches. But this is not always the case or the ultimate purpose. You cat think of it as  your pet simply appreciates the taste or texture of the grass. Help him adapt to an indoor life by providing him with catnip. This will also prevent him from tackling your other houseplants.

Re-activate your cat’s hunter instinct

Cats have a natural instinct to hunt. An outdoor cat has multiple opportunities to hunt mice, insects and other critters; conversely, an indoor cat needs a little bit of your help. You can spark your pet's interest with toys or a laser pointer for example. If you do not have the time or if you do not show up at home very often, consider buying some automatic toys so your cat not get bored.

Higher perch is the cat’s favorite crown

Cats like to stand higher. When a cat lives outdoors, it usually spends a lot of time perched on the branches of its favorite trees. Being high allows your cat to be out of range of predators while having an incomparable point of view to hunt his own prey. Inside your house, the primary instincts of your cat will push him to find a place on a higher space, even if he is totally safe with regard to a possible predator. Make sure your cat can find a perch there; the latter will help him feel confident and safe in his new environment.