From Roam to Home — Safe Cats RSPCA SA

1.

Before you start reducing their roaming time, ensure home is giving your cat a reason to stick around. Outside, they’ve got a whole world of entertainment - things to climb, sniff, chase, watch and investigate. Basically, the neighbourhood is one giant cat playground, but a dangerous one.

So, when we’re swapping roaming for a safer life at home, we need to make sure home isn’t the boring option. Your mission: make your home more interesting than whatever is happening outside.

We recommend a range of options that meet different behavioural needs.

This could include:

Make home worth staying for

Climbing

Cat trees, shelves and elevated perches
Watching

A comfy spot to watch the world go by
Hiding

Cardboard boxes, tunnels and cosy hideaways
Scratching

Scratching posts and cardboard scratchers
Chasing

Wand toys, toy mice and balls to chase
Exploring

Rearranged toys and adding new hiding spots
Thinking

Puzzle feeders, treat hunts and interactive toys
Variety

Rotating toys regularly to keep things interesting

2.

Reduce their roaming time… slowly

The transition does need to be gradual, there’s no need to go from neighbourhood explorer to full-time homebody overnight. To ensure a comfortable transition we recommend:

Make a small change

Start by bringing your cat inside earlier than usual. Stick with that routine until they seem comfortable. The aim is for your cat to be able to eat, play, snooze or hang out with you without becoming distressed or fixated on going back out.
Reward their time at home

Don’t let life at home get boring. Make sure they have plenty to keep them entertained so they learn that home is a great place to be. Rotate toys, introduce a new box or hiding spot, move things around and give them plenty of chances to climb, chase, explore, snooze and supervise the household.
Give them time to adjust

Keep this routine going until they feel comfortable, and make all the good stuff predictable too. Having meals, playtime and favourite activities at roughly the same time each day can help your cat know what’s coming next – and cats are big fans of knowing the schedule.
Start to stretch it out

Once your cat is handling the first change like a pro, you can start stretching their home time a little longer. Gradually increase the time they spend inside, sticking with each new routine until it feels normal before increasing it again. Keep building up their home time at a pace they’re comfortable with, until staying home without unsupervised roaming becomes the norm.

3.

Going from neighbourhood explorer to full-time homebody doesn’t have to happen overnight! Start by gradually reducing your cat’s outdoor time, giving them a chance to adjust at their own pace. The aim is to help your cat feel happy and relaxed indoors, without getting fixated on going back outside.

You could try any of the following:

Make coming home rewarding

Offer a special treat

Offer a favourite treat or special food when your cat comes inside, so they associate coming home with something positive.
Time around meals

Encourage your cat inside for breakfast or dinner to make coming home a familiar, enjoyable part of their day.
Reinforce behaviour

Use the same gentle call or sound each time you invite them inside, followed by a reward to build a positive association.
Other rewards

Reward relaxed behaviour with treats, affection, brushing or playtime, depending on what your cat enjoys.
Positive actions only

Keep it positive, never punish. Never chase, scold or force your cat inside. Give them time to adjust and make coming home a calm, positive experience.