How long do I keep my new cat indoors?

Question

I have just adopted a cat from an animal rescue centre. She is just short of a year old and has had all her immunisations, snips etc. She is trained to use the cat litter. I already have another cat, who naturally was able to come and go as she pleases and has her own little sandy area out back for toileting purposes, my other cat is 3. I have to admit, it is a little effort to keep all the windows and cat flap blocked to prevent the new cat getting out. What is the minimum time I should keep her indoors before allowing her to roam.? No worries about traffic etc as I live in a cul-de-sac very close to rural settings.
Many thanks
Mark x

Tera-Duke, many thanks for not answering the question!!!!!!! I am aware of the risks of harm from dogs and animals, but that's not what I asked.

Answer 1

You can start letting her out as soon as she has established in her mind that you are the food man and that your house is her home and safe place. This may be after a few days or a few weeks. Some cats take to hiding behind the sofa for several days - some have a look around and are happy straight away. You will have to judge your cat.

When you reackon she is comfortable and settled to a sensible extent, leave the back door open just before her dinner when she is hungry and let her have a nose around for a few minutes. Do this for a few days, extending the time that you let her go out for.

Once she starts sitting by the door or window mewing to be let out your resolve to keep her in will quickly weaken and she'll be in control of things!

Cats don't actually go that far from their home - just 2 to 3 gardens either side. Shes not going to make a break for freedom. The main danger with letting her out too quickly and for too long is that she can get attacked by other cats, get disorientated and lost etc. If you let her out bit by bit in this way, you shouldn't have any problems.

Answer 2

Hi I think 6 weeks is the minimum 12 weeks is the maximum time.
I would give it 8 weeks just to be sure & give it extra time because it has come from an animal rescue centre and may have some issues (not being able to trust, feel safe, stay in one place etc). Watch out for foxes too!
Good luck

Answer 3

We recently moved house and took our 2 cats with us. The vet said to keep them in for two weeks, in the end it was only 10 days as Felix escaped through a window, wandered around outside and was back in 5 minutes.

I think 2 weeks is enough, after that time they become very restless and want to escape just for a bit of freedom!

Good luck and well done for adopting a rescue cat.

Answer 4

Depends how 'cool' they are. A nervous cat should be kept in for at least a week. A cool customer can go out on day 2. I have a cat I take on holiday, and he goes out straight away, and struts around like he owns the place. Always let them out really hungry the first time, then after ten minutes rattle the cat biscuits. Go out with them, too. They may be restless because they are nervous, but you know your own cats.

Answer 5

Keep her in till she has established this as home ( she will start acting very comfortable and perhaps get friendly with the other cat). Then go out with her some and keep an eye on her. There won't be a set time for this-you just have use your instincts and go with them. Good luck!

Answer 6

keep her in for a couple of weeks just so she can get used to her surroundings and settle in then u can let her out..dont force her to go out,leave the flap and windows as u normally would when she does venture outside just watch her to c wot she does,u may find that she wont roam or like the outside,or she may just follow your existing cat,or the other way round it is to not feed her before you introduce her to the outside world coz she will come home when she is hungry..or do it on a weekend wen u r home and able to leave the back door open so she gets used to the outside..its trial and error i had cats 6yrs bk and when they were able to go out i just left the door till they got the hang of going out then they used there flap good luck

Answer 7

So very close to rural settings. So close enought that dogs and wild animals can get the cats. Close enough for them to get into a fight or get dz that most cats are not vaccinated against. There are more dangers out there than cars for cats. An outdoor cats lifespan is around 3 yrs. Indoor cats can easily live 15 yrs. Plus if she was a stray before going to the rescue center it is hard to keep strays from straying again.

Answer 8

i would say 6 weeks max.
if you want it to really have an idea of its surroundings by a harness and walk him around your garden and front garden, that way he can get a smell of the outdoors and know that that is where his home is now, its all very well keeping him in for 6 weeks but that will only teach him wen inside the house that is home, wen he goes outside theres different smells and sights and he may get confused as to where he came from.
you by harness for cheap on most markets and pet shops.
good luck

Answer 9

At least 2 weeks

and then put butter on her paws - she'll spend her first trip outside licking the butter off in between walking so she will leave a little trail to find her way home.

Answer 10

If your cat is settled and happy in your home you won't have any problems letting it go outside. If it gets on well with your other cat she will just follow her around.