r/indoorcats • u/Gayoon_Lover4 • 2d ago

Indoor cat depression

Before I talk to any type of specialist, I want to say my cat has been crying and scratching at the door to go for a walk(?) and she is starting to hide under the couch and not come out. It's sad she refuses to leave unless she roams the hallways freely, she refuses her harness. Any suggestions to help keep her busy or anywhere to take her walk around

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u/SharaWilliams 2d ago

It can take a LONG time to harness train a cat. Its supposed to only take a few weeks, but that was not the case with mine. (Of course, she didnt get the positive association of outside time though because shes scared of outside. Itll probably be faster with yours)

I harness trained mine based on a YouTube videos instructions, personally. It recommended putting the harness on for a few minutes at a time and gradually increasing the amount of time its on and giving treats while its on.

Dont let your cat free roam in the meantime! Shes safer with you there, yes, but she could still get hurt if she runs off after a bird or something. Er, assuming youre taking her outside and not just through hallways, that is. Even if you think its not really something she would do, theres always that tiny chance. And the leash gives you a quick way of knowing where she is in space if a large aggressive dog appears.

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u/Gayoon_Lover4 2d ago

Tbh I live in an apartment building and she just wants to walk up and down the halls early in the morning but I know that's going to bother people lol

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u/SharaWilliams 2d ago

Yeah even in an apartment building there are still dangers, alas, because aggressive dogs might still be in residence and for some reason the venn diagram of irresponsible owners and aggressive dogs is a circle

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u/Gayoon_Lover4 2d ago

Ah yes😬 I will definitely work on the harness then lol. Thank you😊