We just moved and we were told that we had to keep the cat inside for a while or he would run a way b/c his whole life has been at the old house (2 yrs.). How long until we can let him go outside? Will he run a way since we are here? Anyone who knows a lot about cats please help.
2006-12-27 09:41:11 · 12 answers · asked by sassyfriend16 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
It's been known to happen, yes. They get confused, sometimes wander too far, and they havnt marked anything to find their way back. Unless they're clawing at the door begging to go out, you may want to let him settle in the new house, mark his territory ( i.e. rub his face all over everything) and feel more secure about his new surroundings.
I recently asked a question about urine marking...one thing you can do to help him settle if he seems anxious is to use Feliway . It's facial pheramones in a bottle,can be found at any large pet supply chain, or on line and it makes cats happy in their new surroundings if you've moved.
One other thing you can do, is if you feed dry food normally, try wet food as a treat before you let him outside. This will make him more apt to return looking for food. try leaving some on your porch or steps.
I've also walked a cat on a leash with a harness the first couple of times out. This may seem extreme, but it gets them familiar to their own yard/territory and lets them leave their facial pheramones on trees/fences/bushes whatever, and this will help them find their territory, if yours can tolerate it.
Good luck =)
2006-12-27 09:56:50 · answer #1 · answered by mooch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must keep your cat indoors for about 10 days to 2 weeks in the new home. He needs this time to learn to associate the new home's smells, sounds, etc., with his food, water and other comforts. Then, slowly get the cat accustomed to its new outdoor environment. The first time you let him out, perhaps put him on a cat leash or find another way to stay near him to ensure he does not wander too far. If you have a fenced yard from where he cannot escape, this would be a good place to put him. Or you could just sit outside with him in front of the house, holding him in your arms. Do this each day, and little by little he will get to know the area and learn how to find his way home on his own. I have moved more than a dozen times with my cat, including moving between 4 different countries, and have used this method. She has never run away, though she did once turn up inside a neighbor's house, underneath the bed. That was the one time I let her out on her own a bit too early. One thing you should definitely do is go to the nearest vet and have them insert a microchip under your cat's skin. This way, if the cat wanders off and is picked up by someone, any vet or animal shelter can scan the cat and instantly find out where he belongs. Also, make sure he has a collar with an ID tag on it. Good luck.
2006-12-27 17:54:55 · answer #2 · answered by tsu 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat may get lost if you let him outside, then again, he may not. He may not even leave the yard. It is hard to say. Therefore, the general rule is to keep the cat inside for about 4 weeks before letting him out. Often, if you let them out before then, they get lost, and they try to find there way to their old home. Cats seem to have a homing device built into them and it takes time for them to change where they 'home-in' too. There is a lot of scientific debate about whether or not a cat actually feel the gravitational pull more than many other animals, including us. Some scientists think that this is why cats do not enjoy car rides, in general, especially when compared to other animals. And also, why they tend to take so long to acclimate to new surroundings.
2006-12-27 17:48:38 · answer #3 · answered by echota e 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
last time I moved, my cat got out and was completely disoriented. It wasn't what he was used to and it took me like 8 hours to find him and I ended up finding him way further away from home than he would've ever wondered. Have you ever changed around your living room setup or bedroom set up and your cat is very skiddish for a few hours and testing out all the "new" furniture? Animals a creatures of habit so let your cat get used to the new home and layout first. Once that has happened let it out back or something and keep an eye on it or play with it out there for a time or two and then it should be good. Lastly, make sure your cat has a collar and tag just in case but it should be fine, it'll make it way back once it's hungry.
2006-12-27 17:53:19 · answer #4 · answered by Phat Kidd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't believe in letting cats out, but if you must, the first few weeks you are there, keep him in and gradually introduce him to the outside, and stay with him at first. Leave him out a while, then pick him up and bring him back in. Do that for another few weeks, then he should be ok. I hope you don't live near a highway. And I hope he/she is spayed/neutered and has all their shots. The outside is so big to them and its very dangerous. If at all possible, just keep him in. Chances of him running back to your old neighborhood are slim. Good luck little Kitty.
2006-12-27 17:46:01 · answer #5 · answered by mainemode 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no it wont run away... why would he wanna leave his owners?! just be nice to him for a few days until he gets used to the new house.... and when you let him outside for the first time go out with him so you can watch him! I would leave him inside for about 2 days.
2006-12-27 17:50:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My cats did not run away after we moved, they are smart enough to know where the food and nice warm bed is, I never worried about it and never lost one as a result of letting them out after I moved
2006-12-27 17:47:01 · answer #7 · answered by Scooter 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is best to keep them in for at least 2 weeks. if they are scared, they will know you home better so will return there. if you let them out to soon & they get scared, they may run some where els since the home is new & scary it's self. hope they have thier shots & are fixed, if not i would not let them out at all. :)
2006-12-27 18:02:54 · answer #8 · answered by rblankenship_rblankenship 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
um, usually people consider their cat(s) to be household cats, not outdoors. unless u want it to be outside also. but if u want your cat outside, then make sure that it's safe outside and secure. plus your cat might want to need a tag, and get microchipped(your choice). but usually all my friends' cats stay inside.
2006-12-27 18:31:37 · answer #9 · answered by rachstar135 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cats have a memory span of two weeks. get it to stay in side for two weeks, give it plenty of attention and it should be fine.
2006-12-27 18:10:26 · answer #10 · answered by John B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋