How Long to Keep Cat in?

[EvianBaby]

I'm moving next weekend and want some advice about how to make it easier for the cat but also how long you reccommend I should keep him locked in the new house for before I let him venture around in new territory?

[rowanwitch]

depends on the cat... I used to manage about a fortnight before giving in... but for the first few days I used a harness and extending lead

[EvianBaby]

Two weeks..... not sure we'll last that long.

I tried a harness once before. It failed miersably but it was pretty funny.

[237SJ]

My Mum`s cat took about 6 days. I just let her loose in the house with food and a litter tray. She went upstairs and stayed under the duvet where it hangs off the end of the bed (like a little tunnel) for a few days and came out when she felt like it. First she started peering out of the windows and just naturally seemed to want to go out. Once she went out, she had no problem knowing how to come back home again. I`d just see how the cat behaves and let him venture away as he feels like.

[EvianBaby]

It's only a few years since we last moved but I can't remember how long it was. I have a suspicion my Dad was shoving the cat into the garden after a couple of days (he's not a fan) and obviously he's always been able to find his way home but I'm really nervous about it this time, I think because I'll be on my own.

Think I'll just have to see how he goes, like you say.

[Kiki-frog]

It really does depend on the cat. I should just wait until he seems content in his new home before letting him out. If he's happy, then he'll want to come back in.

[ladybirder]

Two weeks is the time recommended by most rescues I believe. Rather too long than not long enough.

[rsvp]

keep the cat indoors for at least two weeks then let it out when it's hungry.

[tenrec]

I know absolutely s0d all about cats, but my late step mother used to say "Butter their paws". Can anyone explain?

[baza]

an old wives tale.....put butter on the cats paws and it will not go missing.

[tenrec]

Thanks Baza, I always wondered what she was on about!

[rsvp]

think the theory behind the butter on the paws was... kitty would take time to lick butter off and then feel at home in new environment.

[Brinjal]

Two weeks definitely.

[SazzyC0]

I'd say about 2 weeks if you can manage to keep it in that long!

[littleja]

I brought 13 cats home from Malta (in stages of 2/3 per time) all were rescue cats. Some had been indoor cats for 3 and 4 years in my Malta flat. Having rescued them as kittens they had never been outside. I kept them in for 1 week and all were fine. Only 1 went missing for 3 days, she returned in perfect health. I think she was just exploring. This was in 2009 and they still love the garden. I would have rather kept them in for a fortnight but they were desperately looking out of windows and running for open front and back doors. Try for the fortnight but 1 week should be okay if desperation sets in for kitty. Good Luck.

[Nosha123]

Good luck! Nothing more stressful than their first time out!!!!