Cats - How Long To Keep Indoors In New Home?

May well be someone else is more experienced than me and offer alternative ideas but when we took on a rescue adult cat who was terrified and didn't know us or the area we lived in, the cat sanctuary owner advised us to keep the cat indoors for 3 weeks. She also advised that for the 1st time the cat was allowed outside to not feed it before it went out so it would be likely to get hungry and return....worked for us and the cat never wandered after we took her on.

 

3 weeks sounds good to me. I might also put a small bowl of "dry" cat food out on the porch for the cat so she can see she can get food on "that " porch. and always lift it near dusk, never leave out all the time. I never leave wet (canned ) food out. Letting it sit draws flies and they lay eggs etc. yuck. reading it again, also after three weeks there is some pillow she is sleeping on inside, or towel, that can also be positioned outside for her to smell as she returns for an added security.

 

I agree - 3 weeks.

Our 1st cat (Alfie is our 2nd cat) - refused to use the cat flap and jumped onto the first floor window ledge - so that I could let him in. Keep an eye on the windows for the moggs to return.

 

On the issue of keeping the cats in the garden - I've attached willow screening to the 6 ft fences and where the fences are lower than 6 ft or a bit rickety - attached the screening to poles planted just in front of the fences. I let Alfie out today - he can't/wont climb the willow screening - so I know that he is safely confined to the garden.

The willow screening attached to the poles is particularly effective.

 

so far in the last 12 years of having up to 10 cats, never lost one of them due to disappearance. Have a safe area of the 3 acres for them to roam and all had come accounted for upon return from a vacation. As all were /are fixed none wanted to really leave the area. The cat flap works well with the ones that chose to use it, other wise it is good cat houses for those that do not. Until recent, past January did a sick raccoon invade our area and hurt one. Normally raccoons just keep their distance. But alas I still know what happened to him. Right now I have only one who wishes to remain outside in her heated cat house, and the 3 left enjoy the garden room, with freedom of the cat flap. Even old mom cat the beginning of them all, who still retains a drop of feral has discovered the cat flap on her own and settles her old bones next to the radiator, we think she is at least 14 years old. MomCat is only pettable when looking away from you, she will stand still for a pet near your legs and purr like crazy. But you cannot pet her head on, sure to face a quick swipe of her paw on your hand, so we just respect the matter.

 

just as I was writing, there she is, flopped next to the heater.

 

I agree that three weeks is the right amount of time to keep them in but don't just let them out and forget about them. For the first few times sit with them and bring them back in after only a few minutes. Then gradually extend the time you let them out but keep close to them for a week or two. I've moved several times with cats and never lost one using this approach. I also found calling them in regularly helped. Good luck.

 

I also call mine on a regular basis too.

 

Gorgeous calicos. I have two as well.
My babies.



www.eliapplebydonald.co.uk/blog

 

Agree with everything here, 3 weeks may seem like a long time but it's pretty crucial for them to get the smell of house and settle in. If they do start whining to go out like redwing and redstar suggested, stay out with them and keep calling often. A neighbour once said a spoonful of butter on its paws should make him think twice about wandering.. admittedly I tried it and seems to have worked for my cats (minus one)! Mind you, I did buy all expensive treats and cat milk when 2 were kittens. I used to foster kittens until they were homed too, miss doing that so much! Here's my 3.

Timmy, my proud boy. Constantly cleaning..

Cecil/Sausage, stray boy came last feb. He just woke up here..

And Simba/Ginger, another stray took in in Nov. Shy girl but fights like hell.

 

remember the "first" time outside for her is now a scary new place. prompting the door open slightly for her to leave at will so she can quickly return is a good thing. She may only want to stay out at first for a few minutes and return inside quickly. let her dictate the length of time she is comfortable staying outside. Even after 12 years with my gang, in the colder weather they prefer to be out a short time, and in most of the day or in the warm weather napping on the deck rather than being off in the woods.