Struggling with making outdoor/indoor cat mostly indoor
Hello,
I have recently moved with my 7yo cat, who has been indoor/outdoor most of his life. He would be allowed to roam and hang in the backyard. I have since moved house with a much smaller backyard and really want to make him indoor only (and allowed outdoor in a catio).
My problem is, it’s not being outside that he wants. He wants to roam! He is constantly meowing, trying to break out of the catio, and seems stressed and unsettled. i work full time so can’t be home all the time either. I play with him for 30mins a day, he has a cat tree, countless toys, and also a brother (6yo cat) and they get on well. I do enrichment activities with them. He cares for one toy only and doesn’t care about cat TV or anything like that.
I’m at my limit because he has started peeing and marking his territory inside if he doesn’t get to go outside. He also has FIC so I am really trying my best to not stress him more. Does anyone have ANY suggestions for how I can ease his stress and make him happier. My other cat couldn’t care less about going outside or not- and I have never had such a sensitive cat!
Posted Nov 5, 2025, 1:51 AM UTC