how do you keep a cat from escaping the house?

[Emily]

I am getting a kitten tomorrow, and I have 2 brothers: 1 autistic brother, and 1 three year old brother. They have let Harley out (not intending on him running away) multiple times. Cats are really fast and hard to catch I assume, so what should I do to keep her from getting lost? (She will be an indoor cat only).

[Emily]

Thanks! Harley is microchipped, but he came already microchipped- we'd have to get one for Lila.

[Emily]

thanks for your help!

[Emily]

we did get her a collar, and she didn't like it too much at first, but then it kept slipping off of her and it's really really frayed at the end now so we will have to get her a new one. she tolerates them, but the one we have now just keeps falling off.

[Linda W]

Emily:

Andrea is right on about using a 'harness'.

#1. They are MUCH safer for cats then a collar. (Many cats who either escaped or are let outside to play have died as a result of their collar getting caught on a branch, fence or various other things that kitties simply MUST investigate.

#2. Microchipping is almost a necessity if the two little brothers accidentally let the Kittie out because the animal regulation folks, vets and a lot of pet shops check to see if what they may initially think is a stray may, in realty, be a beloved family (escape artist) pet.

#3. An EZ way to discourage a cat from darting out an open door (or even window) is to begin EARLY (from day one) and is especially effective with kitties. Do what the Momma Cat does.
Make going to the door or a window that may be kept open in the summer for circulation a 'no, no'!

Take kitty to each door (or location) place it on the floor in front of the potential escape route..stand in front of the door, point your finger at the kitty and HISSSS, HISSS, HISSS (loudly)and follow by saying "NO, NO"!

Do this every time kitty even looks like it is debating making a move.

Do this every day CONSISTANTLY! until kitty decides this does not make Momma happy.

When kitty sits in a safe window, say with screens or just always closed..Make just as BIG A DEAL out of those events. Pets, loves, belly or ear scratches while kitty is sunning in a safe area , along with those words pets love to hear "Good baby, good kitty, will teach kitty very quickly. Training a kitty that 'outside' is not a good thing is an ounce of prevention and will go a long way towards keeping this little one safe even if the boys 'forget' or leave an exit open by accident.

Give it a try! ;o)

[Michaela]

I usually put a harness on my cat, she chews on collars or slips out of them. I have looked into getting her chipped, it really seems like a good idea. I would keep a spray bottle by each door (out of reach of the little ones) and spray kitty every time she goes near the door. I did that with my cat, along with barking out NO anytime she even looked remotely interested in the door. That's also a great way to get them to stop scratching on the couch.
~Michaela

[Emily]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

[Gwen]

Try looking into special fencing for cats. They make the same "invisible' type fencing for cats as they do for dogs.