how long do we need to keep a cat inside for when its moving house?

Question

our nans cat is moving in with us and we need to know how long we should keep him inside for so he doesnt run away?

Answer 1

Cats should be in and not out anyway.

Answer 2

Here's an old wives tale and I've only had one cat run away. Put butter on all four paws. After the butter is licked off the scent to the previous home is gone. And even if it is a wives tale at least the cat is getting a treat. In all the cats and moving I have done all have stayed where the food was. The only cat I lost was one I picked-up at the humane society and I think she was too tramatized, it jumped out of a window on the 2nd floor. So did the sister cat my roommate adopted, actually the balcony on that one. They survived the leap to freedom and were gone.

I have usually only needed 1 week, a month at the max, to make sure the cat was comfortable and adjusting to the new home. If it is shy and hides alot wait till he's no longer hiding and is being a pest about going outside. Sometimes the cat won't go further than a few steps on the first time of seeing a new neighborhood. Watch the cat for its reactions and you'll know when its safe to let him explore his new environment.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I would say 6 weeks - 8. He may not be a new kitten, but just like a new kitten leaving its warm and secure mother, this cat is leaving his previous warm and secure owner ...your nan. Cats are so like us in so many ways. If someone kidnapped you and took you somewhere you didn't know, ...what would you do, and what would convince you not to do it ?
Make the cat feel at home. All the above answers are very good. Don't force it to do anything it doesn't want to do with regards to social settling in, I hope that it doesn't spray inside, as I am human too, but if it does it could be a sign that the cat has identified itself with your home ,,,,your home is now his !
Have you considered taking the cat slowly at his own pace around your garden to discover whats what on a lead ? You may look a pillock, but the cat may begin to see you as on his side, especially when he is confronted with already existing cats in the vicinity. You see the original cat off with your cat. Good luck.

Answer 4

At the shelter where I volunteered doing adoptions we recommended three weeks to a month. Everyone here seems to suggest six weeks. IMO the longer the better. I like the suggestons about the rattling can and the butter on paws thing would be interesting.

The cat needs to be thoroughly at home in his new inside digs for sure, knowing that you are there and will feed and love him etc.
If at all possible taking him out and around the property on a harness and leash would be great. Cats find their way home by smell, not sight. If he has thoroughly explored the perimeter of your property under your control he will be familiar with every animal living in his neighborhood. "Oh, that's Racky the raccoon's scent, he lives near me". "Oh, there's Scooty the squirrel, he hangs out in that tree at the back of the house". The animal "expert" at our humane society told me that many years ago when I was ready to let my six month old kittens outside.

Personally I never want a cat to be outdoors after dark as that is the most dangerous time for them. My kittens learned that dinner was served at dusk and they were always there, staying inside for the rest of the night.

Answer 5

I can tell you of my experience with my cat smudge For the first 6 years of his life we lived in a bungalow and the cat was out every night from 6.00 pm. Almost on the dot he would be knocking on the door to be let in.

Then we moved to a flat and I tried to let him run outside. He didnt want to know and he spent the next 10 years of his life happily at home in the flat.

He died aged 16 which is very old for a cat.

Answer 6

we moved house 3 months ago we were told to keep the cat in for two weeks so we did, but when we let the cat out he ran away.
2 months passed and we thought the cat must be lost or had been killed amazingly we got a call from our old neighbour saying the cat had turned up at our old house its only a ten miniute drive away but the cat walked for 2 months! we have him home now and this time we kep him in for a month and he now knows this is home good luck.

Answer 7

2 weeks. Give him a quiet place to call his own, but let him have the run of the house too, so he can look out of the windows. They navigate by using the position of the sun, so they need to know how it moves around the house. Also, they need to know how their new house smells. Go out with him the first time and make sure the door's left open for his return. Oh, keep his favourite snacks on hand 1st time to tempt him in again!

Answer 8

About 2 weeks. It is 6 weeks when we get them as kittens not when we move. A farmer's wife in England told me that smearing butter on their paws just before you allow them out works. In other words keep the cat in for 2 weeks and then put butter on it's paws on the day that you allow it out. This will cause it to wash it's paws and thus get a feel for it's outdoor surroundings. Also I suspect that the residual butter can leave a trail that the cat can smell. It sounds bizarre but I believe her.

Answer 9

Keep him in for about 2 weeks and when he goes out at first go out with him, I agree that you should shake a tin of cat biscuits and he will come,My husband claps loud and 1 of our cats comes running back.Don't believe the tales that indoor cats live longer I have always let my cats outside they need to have freedom.I had one live to 16 and another to 17.Indoor cats must be miserable.

Answer 10

Once in the new home IMMEDIATELY put LOTS of margarine or butter under the cats feet. Let him go inside the house and he will lick off all the butter. Do it a few times. Do believe me that it works. I was led to believe that somehow they lick off the "smell of the old place". We did it two of our cats and it really worked. If you think I am joking you may ask your vet, they will tell you.

Answer 11

They recommend six weeks, best to put the cat in a spare bedroom and use a litter tray, it may seem harsh but not as bad as ending up stray and lost and hungry somewhere. Have you thought about getting a microchip, they are usualy £25 and help you get your cat back should it get lost.