2 Palo Alto cats having trouble adjusting to new catio
Briefly

Introducing indoor cats to outdoor environments can be overwhelming for them. Cats who are used to their comfortable indoor lives may find a catio frightening. To help the cats adjust, start with short visits and engage with them by spending time inside the catio. Gradually increase their time outdoors while decreasing your presence. It is suggested to create a sense of security by draping sheets over the catio. As they become more comfortable, peel back the sheets to allow them to view outside gradually.
The great outdoors can be a big and frightening place, especially for cats who have only seen it from the safety of the great indoors.
Cats are very much creatures of habit and many are very comfortable inside the protective (and solid) walls of their home.
You might need to start over with short visits to the catio and by joining your cats inside the enclosure, playing with them and having some cuddle time.
As they start to feel more comfortable, start peeling back the sheets to expose more of the outdoor view.
Read at The Mercury News
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