How to transition an outdoor cat to indoor living without depression?

This will definitely be a difficult adjustment for him. I would be sure to have a lot of toys and things for him to climb on and explore to help keep his environmental enrichment up. You may also want to get some feliway diffusers and sprays to help keep him calm and hopefully make the transition as smoothe as possible. Feliway is a cat pheronmone which helps to calm cats. It doesn't work on all cats though. If he doesn't take well to it, be prepared that you may have to rehome him to give him the best quality of life. I hope this helps and I hope he does well with the transition.

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.

It sounds like this is not an easy situation. Some cats will not like being kept inside while others adjust easily. You won't know until you try. There are some things you can do which can benefit any cat (a bored cat and a cat adjusting to a new life style). 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 (really get him moving) and switch the food to Royal Canin Calm. Try feeding him out of a food puzzle. Hide food for him to find. Provide a stand or resting place by a window so he can look outside. You may also try clicker training him for positive behavior. Here is a link about training cats: https://www.petcoach.co/article/can-i-train-my-cat/ Most cats response best to combination therapy. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I recommend you put some Feliway diffusers in your house and do some environmental enrichment for her. Usually these two things help. https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser thedrakecenter.com/materials/environmental-enrichment-indoor-cats  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AejmrLa_Cs4

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

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I really like a product called Feliway which can help reduce stress in situations like this. You may use this product in the environment as a diffuser or you can use the spray in anything that has contact with him. This should help make this move less stressful. Good luck and have a good night!

Mia will not likely get depressed as long as you set aside time to play with her and give her love and affection. Cats will do well in a small apartment because they aren’t as active as dogs. May sure to get a cat tree for her to climb and plenty of toys. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.