We have just moved house. My 18month old cat has always lived at our previous address and used to spend alot of the time outside but he always came home for his food and home luxuries. We have now just moved to a bigger house just a few miles away and he has been kept indoors since we moved here 2 days ago. He seems ok and uses a litter tray at the moment but really wants to go outside. When will it be safe to let him go outside. We have got a really large garden but he would be able get into the street if he tried. I don't want to lose him but he is so eager to go out .
2007-02-05 06:33:42 · 33 answers · asked by maggie 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats generally live much longer lives if kept indoors exclusively. This would be a great time to get him used to the idea of being an indoor cat. If you feel bad not letting him out at all they make a product called a kitty walk that you could get to put him out in, its kinda like a dog kennel, completely enclosed on the top and sides, but with an open bottom so he can get to the grass. Tough it out, it will be better for both of you in the long run. Seeing your pet get hit by a car just isnt worth it. Also cats can learn to by walked on a harness. Get one specifically for a cat, as he will be able to twist out of a dog one.
2007-02-05 06:42:08 · answer #1 · answered by JVG 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
We had the same when we moved the first time we let her out was about a week after the move when she was due food. Took her in the back garden and let her explore a bit. Took her in fed her. Next day same thing a bit longer. She soon got used to her new garden and was happy exploring her new territory. She is 9 years old and a happy healthy cat. Bad things do happen but I dont think its fair to keep them indoors if they have been used to outdoor life.
2007-02-08 00:21:18 · answer #2 · answered by bcs31859 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him out into the garden but go with him..he should stay close as cats are territorial and he will mark his own patch first before he ventures further. Walk the garden boundary with him he will think you are marking your territory as well. Spending time with your cat outdoors will make him realise the garden is an extension of his home. Also feed him for a couple of days outside if the weather permitts. Cats are very clever hell settle in very quickly especially if you provide a few extra treats..good luck in your new home.
2007-02-09 04:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by glennyswiggin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep him in for a month or six weeks to be sure he understands that you live in the new house now. If th old territory is just a few miles away, he could easily go back there and be lost. When the time comes for him to go out, take him out yourself. Spend a bit of time outside, then carry him in. Do this several times before you let him out on his own. For the first few times he goes out be himself, make sure you keep an eye on him. Don't forget him. Call him in.
After a ten days or a week, he should be OK unless he's had a scare in the new place. Make sure there aren't any aggressive animals in your new neighborhood that could scare your cat away.
In the meantime, try to play with him. Get him a ping pong ball or two and put them in some catnip to get the scent on them. Then let him chase those around.
2007-02-05 06:47:08 · answer #4 · answered by Susan M 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cats live an average of 3 years outside, compared to 11-13 years as indoor cats. While I used to think keeping my cats indoors only was cruel, I found out the hard way that it is safer to keep them in. I had a cat that ended up with a broken jaw because someone kicked him!!!
I would just try to turn your cat into an indoors only cat if I could, but if that is impossible I would wait longer than two days!! You may lose this cat forever if it tries to go back to the other house.
Good luck!
2007-02-05 06:42:17 · answer #5 · answered by La_Liona 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Several weeks to be safe and to get her homing instinct locked onto your house.
Ignore all the Americans going on about how a cat should be an indoor pet.It's cruel.My neighbours do that and their cat spends it's life staring wistfully out of the window.Indoor-outdoor cats do not always live shorter lives my girl is 9 and several on my street are in their mid and late teens.
The main safety concern is to make sure he is up to date on jabs,neutered and microchipped.
2007-02-07 17:36:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would NOT let him out!!! Since you are not too far from where you were before 9 chances out of 10 he will try to go back and in the process could have something happen to him (hit by a car etc.) Since he has been using the litter tray there is really no need to let him out. He will get over wanting out eventually, and he will become an inside cat, and be very happy Just make sure he is able to sit on a window sill and look out at the birds etc, and I'm sure that he will adjust. Most of my cats were outside till I got them and were perfectly content to stay inside.If that does not work as a last resort and you must leave him out--- 2 days is certainly not long enough.. He would be totally confused. you need to keep him in at least 3-4 weeks till he gets used to his new surroundings.
2007-02-05 06:54:55 · answer #7 · answered by Kitty Mom 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Two days is not enough, let him in every room so he can see out of the windows and get his bearings, in about three weeks, let him out just before food time, he wont want to stay out too long then.
please make sure he has a collar with his new address on, and get him microchipped, cats can lose their way really really quickly, if they are chased out of their territory by a dog, or are scared out by a person or car or something they can get lost in no time, plus hes about to embark on a territory building excercise, all the local cats will be gunning for him, and he will probably get into a few fights, bieng a new cat on the block is hard!
dont give in, or you could lose him...
2007-02-06 11:41:09 · answer #8 · answered by magpyre 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The RSPCA recommended 2 weeks when I adopted my cat. By about 4 days she was scratching at the door and so I took a chance and let her out. She was fine.
Tips I would suggest are
1. Try letting him out before dinner. Cats stomachs rule and if they know dinner is on the way they are more likely to come back!
2. Neutered Toms are less likely to stray so if he hasn't had the snip, this could be a good time to think about it.
3. Ensure that the garden is safe and, if the road is busy, try to ensure he can't easily get onto it. putting chicken wire above and below a fence for a while could be a good deterent.
4. The old wives tale of butter on the paws is not always a good idea. Before embarking on this check that kitty doesn't react to dairy (not sure if margarine would work!) and ensure that the cat walks on a wipable surface afterwards - butter is a nightmare to get out of the carpets!
Good luck. I'm sure it will be fine.
2007-02-05 10:03:24 · answer #9 · answered by Rats 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think the most important issue here is what is the neighborhood like. Are there aggressive dogs unleashed or in the next few yards down from you? What are the traffic patterns like on your street? What is the neigbors' attitude about free-roaming cats? If any of these things are negative your cat would be in danger.
All those are things you should know before letting your cat outside and that should take a while to learn - certainly longer than two days.
2007-02-05 08:18:17 · answer #10 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sure cats will live a safer, healthier and longer life indoors, but it is hardly living is it?
Cats are hunters. They have instincts, so let him out after a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on him the first few times. He probably won't go far straight away. Let the people at the old address know that if a cat visits them, it may be yours
As for all this advice about indoor cats.......would any of you do it to your kids because it's safer? Learn to let go. You had to with your children
2007-02-05 09:26:37 · answer #11 · answered by franc 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋