Conference misery::feline

    
    Liz, 
    
     I just experienced the same problem. We adopted a two year old that
     was used to outdoors. First of all after a couple of weeks or so 
     they will adjust and the crying lessens. What we have done to make up
     for Tomba's ventures out, is; 
       
     We make sure we spend some time during morning and evening playing 
     with him with one of those feather teasures, so that he gets all 
     his exercise. He loves it, and actually goed to the closet where the
     toy is hidden and askes for it. 
     Second thing was we purchase some Kitty Grass seeds, from Walmart. 
     it comes in a little can.  We planted some in a large and few 
     inches deep tray. We purchesed a special light bolb (you can get from
     any hardware store) and light it during the day and turn it off at 
     nights. Within a few days the grass started growing at a tremendous
     rate. He loves it he jumps on the shelf where the kitty grass is and 
     chews for a while. He doesn't seem to miss the outdoors much. 
     Just make sure your cat has a few windows to look out of. 
    
    Good luck, 
    
    Shaw

    Thanks Shaw for the tips.  I have seen the kitty grass in the pet store
    at the Searstown Mall in Leominster and was thinking of buying him some
    to see if this helps.  I think they also sell it at Kmart.  We have
    alot of windows that he can look out but we have a big picture window
    behind our sofa and there is a bird feeder hanging from the ledge that
    he can see the birds and I think this makes him want to go out also. 
    But I am not going to move the feeder just becasue he can see it we
    like to watch the birds feed.
    
    I think I will swing by Kmart and pick up some kitty grass and give it
    a try.
    
    
    thanks
    
    Liz

       Liz,
    
       Even cats that have lived indoors exclusively will occasionally
    either try to "escape" or express some interest in venturing outside.
    My "Smokey", who has only 3 legs due to a traumatic encounter with a
    fanbelt in a car when he was a kitten, will occasionally 'hide' behind
    a door in the dog's room and sneak out the door. This usually means
    nothing more than going to collect him at the nearest patch of green
    grass, but there have been a couple of anxiety-filled episodes where we
    searched the yard and nearby woods for hours, only to find the little
    devil calmly sitting in the cellar at the door with this look of "I
    sure don't know what all the FUSS is about...lemme in, will ya?" on his
    face.. 
    
      We've also gone the "kitty grass" way, and added a few 'hanging toys'
    that get a lot of attention from all 3 cats. I was also fortunate
    enough to find a toy at B.J.'s Wholesale Club that has been fascinating
    the kids for ove 6 months now...it seems to never get boring to them.
    I'll try to describe it: Picture a donut that is hollow...in other
    words, a tube that's been bent in a circle. However, the inside of the
    donut is open...a slot runs entirely around the inner part, and insicde
    this opening there's a ball... The opening's just right for kitty-paws
    to get into, but the ball is too big to get through it...so kitty bats
    at the ball and it rolls around the 'track'.. The donut has a cloth
    cover and cushioned bottom so it looks a bit like one of those 'kitty
    pocket beds.. My three take turns batting this ball, doing contortions
    and flips inside the pocket and generally having a blast. Only drawback
    is tha tboth the ball and donut are made of plastic, and it can get a
    bit much when one of them decides at 3:00 A.M. that it's "playtime"!
    
      It seems that a lot of the desire toget out is due to boredom.. Enuff
    activities to keep them occupied will alleviate this desire a lot..
    
      John Mc

    I feel for what you are going thru. Mine is an indoor/outdoor cat and
    his indoor limit is about 3 days. At that point the crying and howling
    just drives me nuts and I will cave in. Luckily he is still alive
    and goes to the farm behind our house most of the time.  I agree that
    lots of exercise when you are home will help. Lots of toys.  Also,
    I taught Chief to understand the work back. When I walk out I will
    give him a sharp look and point my finger and say back pretty loud.
    He knows better then to even think to go pass me and will stay back.
              

    Liz,
    
    I came across an article in Cat Fancy, September 1993 all about helping
    your outdoor cat adjust to life indoors.  I have it with me and I'll be
    happy to send you a copy.  Let me know your mailstop.
    
    Steffi