My cat won't go outside

[twinkletoedelephant]

We rescued her as a kitten she has had all her jabs micro chipped and spayed. Is 7 months old.
For the last month the cat flap has been unlocked.... She might occasionally stick a head out but won't go outside.

The bet suggested we walk her on a lead. She's not to impressed with that either.

It complicates things as we love in a top floor maisonnette so she needs to go down some spiral stairs to get to our garden ( and freedom) but she has only every managed 4 steps.

If we carry her down and put her on the ground she bolts back up the stairs into the house.

She us beginning to tear the house apart she has put lots of tiny rips in the sofa and chairs she chases everything. I think she would be so much happier if she could run about outside she just won't go.

Any tips to help her along?

[cozietoesie]

She might just be a natural inside cat - some are. I wouldn't force it.

What games do you play with her?

[Lweji]

I'd wait. She's still young.

[twinkletoedelephant]

We play a lot if fetch.. . she mastered it a few months ago and anyone sitting on the sofa gets a woollen mouse in their laps to be thrown. The children like to run about with string tucked into their trousers. She has a tall cat tree that we tie various toy's onto that she climbs about. And gets most of her exercise chasing fruit shoot tops across the wooden floor, before depositing them in various shoes.

I am worried she's not getting enough exercise, and beginning to get a bit porky

[ZebraOwl]

My two decided they are indoor cats. Outside is big, scary & smells of foxes & going into it = Sheer Folly. They are very happy & healthy as indoor cats & the right weight for their frame sizes (my black cat's very nearly Hulking Great Tomcat size despite having been neutered as a kitten & his brother's only a wee bit smaller) - they get lots of exercise & I'm careful with how much I feed them, too. Most feeding guidelines are based on the energy needs of outdoor cats & frankly are just generally on the generous side full stop (for obvious reasons...). If you're worried about her weight I'd have a look at her diet...

[abbsismyhero]

my first cat was like this to the end of his life he was nervy of being outside he would go out and hide in bushes and mooch around in the garden it took him years to go outside even then he liked me around with him he struggled with his weight his entire life

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

We have two - one wil be gone all day the other will poke her nose out for five minutes and then curl up indoors for the rest of the day.

[YeOldeTrout]

• can't get into half as much trouble or annoy the neighbours
  

• more likely to get fat.
  

Summer is easier for going out. Mine really hated strong wind for a long time. Still the thing that drives them indoor fastest (snow & rain are fine, though).