Injured stray cat sad, hiding, scratching indoors. What can I do?

Most cats will eventually settle down and adapt to life indoors. Her set up sounds wonderful and I'm glad you have taken the time to get everything in order for her. Here are a few things you can do which may also help. Try enriching his environment. Here is a great article about cat's instinctual needs: https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-every-cat-needs-a-place-to-climb/ Use a Feliway diffuser, set aside 30 minutes a day for vigorous play and/or switch the food to Royal Canin Calm (when Mimi is 1 year old) . You may also try feeding her from a food puzzle and/or hiding food around the house for her to find. The veterinarian can also prescribe medications which can help with behavior if needed. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello, a cat tree will certainly add more enrichment to her environment and may reduce the her hiding behavior. However, it will likely not prevent it completely. You may start off by partitioning a part of the house for her to get used to. As you get more comfortable with her being outside of the cage, then you may allow her more space within the house. You may also ensure that the doors are closed so that she does not attempt to get out. Finally, you should also spay her before her first cycle so that she is not more likely to get out. Hope this helps and best of luck.

How lovely of you to take in this kitten! Personally I believe in keeping cats indoors. They are safer indoors, they aren't at risk of being attacked by other cats and dogs, they can't get attacked by wild animals, and they won't be hit by cars. In addition, cats who live indoors typically live longer than cats who go outside. If you want Scruff to have time outside, I recommend building or buying an outdoor enclosure for her. That way she can enjoy the sunshine outside, but won't wander away and won't have any contact with wild animals and other pets. If you provide enrichment inside (plenty of toys, cat trees to climb, a window seat for her to look outside), then she won't feel cooped up. Good luck, I hope this help!

Most cats who lived outdoors can easily adapt to become an indoor cat, They may ask to get out in the beginning, but eventually they will settle to stay inside. Check if Midnight is neutered, and if not, then that would be the first thing you will need to have done or he will stink up your apartment. Also take him to a vet for an exam to make sure he is healthy. There is no need to declaw a cat, You can have the vet techs show you how to clip the toe nails. If you provide him with a scratching tree or scratch boxes he should not scratch up your furniture. There are also plastic nail covers that can be glued onto the nails which prevent the cat doing damage. I have 5 cats and none have ever scratched up my furniture and they are not declawed, Cats can be taught to use a scratch box, Put cat nip on it and your kitty will be in heaven.

Once cats have gotten a taste of the outdoors, it can sometimes be difficult to get them to want to stay inside. I would recommend getting a cat tree where she has a view of the outside and can lay in the sun. If possible, put a bird feeder just outside the window so she can watch the birds. Place a Feliway diffuser in that area. This is meant to decrease stress and is available here: This is also an excellent resource for information on how to make life for indoor cats less stressful: https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats

It can be difficult on outdoor cats when they become solely inside cats. I would recommend trying to decrease stress/anxiety but trying to play with Freddie until he is worn out. This could involve using a laser pointer or other cat toys. You can try and hide cat toys with cat nip or treat through out the house. That way Freddie will have to hunt for them which will keep him busy. I would recommend trying feliway or something like this. It is a cat pheromone which helps to decrease stress. You can plug them into the walls or even spray them around the house or on blankets that Freddie uses. The last would be taking him outside on a leas and harness. Not all cats will let you do this but some will with proper training, Hope that helps

I am sorry to hear of Dotty's previous injuries. Given her obvious tendency to roam I would not recommend letting her outside again. You could try training her to walk on a harness and leash, this would give her some controlled outdoor time. Also look a options for environmental enrichment for her, so she is not so 'stir crazy'. This can include scratching posts, tunnels, towers and toys. If you have the room and finances a 'catio' can be a wonderful addition to your house and allows the kitty to be outside, but protects them from other animals and also prevents them from wandering off and getting into trouble.