How long should you keep your cats in the house after you move to a new home?

Question

I was told two weeks. I have two cats and neither of them have ever lived in another home. We have lived here two weeks and I have taken them outside on a leash. They want outside really bad. I want to let them out but I want them to come back. They are both fixed. There are sooooo many cats around here. I'm afraid they are going to get beatin up.

Answer 1

One to two weeks would be enough for them to pick up the scent and recognize landmarks. I started letting my outdoor cat out within my sight and walking with him for a while and then leading him or picking him up and taking him back to the house. I actually trained mine to walk around the block with me. Anyway, I started with letting him out on his own for 2 hours at a time and then increased it by 2 hours each time before I would go looking for him. He's stayed out one time for about 36 hours, but that's the longest he's been gone. Now he has a radius pretty close to home and he circles back around every now and then so when I call him, he mostly shows up right away.

Answer 2

I have a cat that is 7 years old, declawed, and came from an owner who no longer wants her. The owner said he likes to hunt for mice and is an outdoor cat. Where we live is a lot more rural, but there are coyotes around at night. I've lost 4 cats in less than 2 years. I try to keep this one in most of the time but he is always waiting at the door pretty determined. He got out a few times but since he is neutered he hangs around the house a lot. We only let him out during the day. It took us less than a week for him to be ready to go outdoors. Cats have pretty good built in compasses.

Answer 3

2 weeks is enough. Keeping them inside longer, and taking them out on a leash is cruel.
My cat, also fixed, goes out all the time, and sometimes stays out for a day or three. If they get into fights, they will learn to defend themselves.

Answer 4

Pets are absolutely delightful but remember- they are animals and we as humans have selfishly domesticated them for our own sheer pleasure. Don't get me wrong: I have many pets. I love them, but certain animals need to experience the outdoors. I have 2 African Servals and they love playing outside. They're over 5 1/2 feet each and love to tear **** up. My neighbors have issues with them but who wouldn't get upset about a cat the size of a grown man rolling around in the garden? It's cute as hell.

Anyhow...Cats are very intelligent and will always come back home when they're ready to. You cannot tell a cat to sit, roll over and come. They do it all at their own pace.
Again, they will always come home. You give them shelter, meals and love. They just need to stretch their legs, tussle a bit and kill some rodents from time to time.

Answer 5

Try this trick: put some of the jelly from the canned cat food on the bottom of your cat's feet. I don't know why it works but it makes them know that where they are is their new home. do this a few times, and keep them inside at least a week.

Answer 6

you should keep them in the house for at least a week and then take them out on leashes like you have done already- cats are not dumb, they will remember where they live and come back.

Answer 7

Cats should never be allowed outside.

1. Parasites
2. Wild animals
3. Hit by cars
4. They kill native birds

Why would ANYONE let a pet roam free like a wild animal?

Answer 8

You could get a cat run for your garden, that would make sure they came back, then after a few weeks take it down and they can wander, or keep it if you're worried about them getting beaten up.

Answer 9

I've heard two weeks. I once moved during the winter and didn't let them out 'til spring. Do try to acclimate them a little at a time as it can be a shock for them...

Answer 10

Keep them in for a couple of weeks, gradualy introduce them to the yard while your there then you can let them out for an hour or so over a few days.