When to Let a New Cat Outside?
Discussion
Last week I got my first cat from a rescue home, a 13 year old neutered male who I've been told used to go outside. The plan was to keep him in my room initially with his food and litter tray, but basically it's proved physically impossible as I have to keep going out to the kitchen, work etc so he's got out and explored the house. Now he's got a taste for it he keeps mewling and scratching the door wanting to leave my room. Normally it wouldn't bother me at all letting him around the house, but the problem is it's a shared one and he could get out the door when someone else comes in. I've told everyone not to let him out but the only realistic way of stopping it would be me constantly supervising him, which obviously can't happen.
A big part of me doesn't want to let him out at all, but for the above reasons I may not have much of a choice. He does seem to be getting frustrated at being cooped up, but other than that is doing well and took a shine to me very quickly. We live in a quiet area with a private road, but is 10 or so days simply too soon to allow him more freedom?
A big part of me doesn't want to let him out at all, but for the above reasons I may not have much of a choice. He does seem to be getting frustrated at being cooped up, but other than that is doing well and took a shine to me very quickly. We live in a quiet area with a private road, but is 10 or so days simply too soon to allow him more freedom?
Very dependant on the individual cat. General guide is 2-3 weeks but there are cats that'll be ok after a week.
Few things you can do to reduce chances of wandering off:
Let him out a.m. and hungry. Ie no breakfast, ensure he knows the sound of a bag of food being shaken etc.
Carry him out first time to sniff around.
Put some of his used litter in the garden so his scent is already in the garden.
Make sure he can get back in the house as soon as he wants to.
Finally ensure he is micochipped and initially consider a snap release collar with your address on.
Lovely to read that an older cat has been given a home
Few things you can do to reduce chances of wandering off:
Let him out a.m. and hungry. Ie no breakfast, ensure he knows the sound of a bag of food being shaken etc.
Carry him out first time to sniff around.
Put some of his used litter in the garden so his scent is already in the garden.
Make sure he can get back in the house as soon as he wants to.
Finally ensure he is micochipped and initially consider a snap release collar with your address on.
Lovely to read that an older cat has been given a home
I'd accompany him outide; follow a little way behind with a box of cat biscuits to rattle if you need to lure him back. He may be new but he knows you and your house better than the big outdoors so *should* come back after he's gone a little way and had a few sniffs. At least that's the way my rescue cats worked - just 20 yards out and back gets it out of their system.
The older the cat the less it will adapt so it's trying to do its old regime - ie go out and come back.
The older the cat the less it will adapt so it's trying to do its old regime - ie go out and come back.
bexVN said:
Very dependant on the individual cat. General guide is 2-3 weeks but there are cats that'll be ok after a week.
Few things you can do to reduce chances of wandering off:
Let him out a.m. and hungry. Ie no breakfast, ensure he knows the sound of a bag of food being shaken etc.
Carry him out first time to sniff around.
Put some of his used litter in the garden so his scent is already in the garden.
Make sure he can get back in the house as soon as he wants to.
Finally ensure he is micochipped and initially consider a snap release collar with your address on.
Lovely to read that an older cat has been given a home
This ^^^Few things you can do to reduce chances of wandering off:
Let him out a.m. and hungry. Ie no breakfast, ensure he knows the sound of a bag of food being shaken etc.
Carry him out first time to sniff around.
Put some of his used litter in the garden so his scent is already in the garden.
Make sure he can get back in the house as soon as he wants to.
Finally ensure he is micochipped and initially consider a snap release collar with your address on.
Lovely to read that an older cat has been given a home
Exactly what I was advised to do by Cats Protection when I adopted Bob.
At first he was happy enough to sniff around and come back in almost immediately, so there was a bit of the 'anxious new parent' when he first disappeared off on his own.
However I needn't have worried. After an absence of what seemed like hours, Bob casually sauntered in and presented me with my first gift - a half-dead shrew.
It was squeaking pathetically, and Bob was teasing it rather than finishing the deed, so I boffed it on the head with an empty tequila bottle.
Moral of the story being, let them out, but be sure to have plenty of clubbing implements for what they might bring back.
Thanks for the replies. I do feel mean for keeping him confined in one room, but unless I sat by the front door all day there's no way of stopping him from getting out if he really wanted to. He hasn't made any attempt to escape outside; even though I put mesh over my windows (2nd floor) it's been completely unnecessary. So he may not even want to go outside, and to be honest I'd rather he didn't but I won't stop him if he wants to. As I don't really know the other people in the house I can't expect them to be chasing him down if he ran out, especially as I'm at work 5 days a week.
On the plus side, he's definitely taken a shine to me and follows me around everywhere always wanting affection. He's slept on my bed every night since he arrives and has always been straight over the moment I wake up to start nuzzling. Only just got in from work and he's fast asleep on my leg as we speak, and I have been trying to spend every possible moment in the room with him. So since he appears to be quite clingy I'm hoping that means he'll want to come back,with little inclination to remain outside for long periods. We did just go for an explore of the house and he didn't stray too far from me, following by my side like a dog when I walked back upstairs. I've been ensuring that he gets some treats each time he comes back into my room, and I always shake the bag calling his name. He is microchipped and has a collar with my mobile number (possibly risky in itself but I figure people may ring rather than try and take him to a vet)
On the plus side, he's definitely taken a shine to me and follows me around everywhere always wanting affection. He's slept on my bed every night since he arrives and has always been straight over the moment I wake up to start nuzzling. Only just got in from work and he's fast asleep on my leg as we speak, and I have been trying to spend every possible moment in the room with him. So since he appears to be quite clingy I'm hoping that means he'll want to come back,with little inclination to remain outside for long periods. We did just go for an explore of the house and he didn't stray too far from me, following by my side like a dog when I walked back upstairs. I've been ensuring that he gets some treats each time he comes back into my room, and I always shake the bag calling his name. He is microchipped and has a collar with my mobile number (possibly risky in itself but I figure people may ring rather than try and take him to a vet)
Negative Creep said:
Thanks for the replies. I do feel mean for keeping him confined in one room, but unless I sat by the front door all day there's no way of stopping him from getting out if he really wanted to. He hasn't made any attempt to escape outside; even though I put mesh over my windows (2nd floor) it's been completely unnecessary. So he may not even want to go outside, and to be honest I'd rather he didn't but I won't stop him if he wants to. As I don't really know the other people in the house I can't expect them to be chasing him down if he ran out, especially as I'm at work 5 days a week.
On the plus side, he's definitely taken a shine to me and follows me around everywhere always wanting affection. He's slept on my bed every night since he arrives and has always been straight over the moment I wake up to start nuzzling. Only just got in from work and he's fast asleep on my leg as we speak, and I have been trying to spend every possible moment in the room with him. So since he appears to be quite clingy I'm hoping that means he'll want to come back,with little inclination to remain outside for long periods. We did just go for an explore of the house and he didn't stray too far from me, following by my side like a dog when I walked back upstairs. I've been ensuring that he gets some treats each time he comes back into my room, and I always shake the bag calling his name. He is microchipped and has a collar with my mobile number (possibly risky in itself but I figure people may ring rather than try and take him to a vet)
If he's confined to one room while you're out, give him lots of cat toys - a paper carrier bag works wonders - and grow some 'cat grass'. Wheat, seeded in compost, grows very quickly and will help with coughing up furballs, etc.On the plus side, he's definitely taken a shine to me and follows me around everywhere always wanting affection. He's slept on my bed every night since he arrives and has always been straight over the moment I wake up to start nuzzling. Only just got in from work and he's fast asleep on my leg as we speak, and I have been trying to spend every possible moment in the room with him. So since he appears to be quite clingy I'm hoping that means he'll want to come back,with little inclination to remain outside for long periods. We did just go for an explore of the house and he didn't stray too far from me, following by my side like a dog when I walked back upstairs. I've been ensuring that he gets some treats each time he comes back into my room, and I always shake the bag calling his name. He is microchipped and has a collar with my mobile number (possibly risky in itself but I figure people may ring rather than try and take him to a vet)
whoami said:
bexVN said:
Lovely to read that an older cat has been given a home
Well done OP.
Just to update and say he's visited the great outdoors 4 times now. The first time I had a genuine knot in my stomach when he jumped over the wall and out of site, but turned up about 20 minutes later to an extra special helping of treats. Other than that it's been less than 5 minutes before he wants to come back in. There are 3 other cats that come into the garden so I'm hoping that will limit how far he roams. In other news he's settling in well, although will still follow me all around the house. He's also developed a habit of batting my face at about 4am to try and get me to give him some attention. I try and ignore him, but then he'll bite my ear or nose for a response. The best solution I've found so far is to hide under the covers, like a 4 year old whose just watched a scary film, until he gives up
Sounds superb. As annoying as having a cat trying to beat you up in the morning, (mine does the same, almost exactly the same as Simon's cat does), it is incredibly cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q
Negative Creep said:
He's also developed a habit of batting my face at about 4am to try and get me to give him some attention. I try and ignore him, but then he'll bite my ear or nose for a response. The best solution I've found so far is to hide under the covers, like a 4 year old whose just watched a scary film, until he gives up
You've obviously never owned a cat before? They always want food at 4am or at least 3 hours before you want to get up if that's earlier. Try watching Garfield the film or Simon's cat on Youtube and you'll get the idea. Edited, heretic beat me to it.
Edited by jagracer on Saturday 5th January 23:53
For the life of me, I don't know why anyone would let their loving pet outside? How many cats have to be killed by cars, predators, and just mean people poisoning them? I do cat rescue, and I can't tell you how many we've saved that were mutilated in one way or the other, shot, one eye, no ears, burned, and tails cut off. ALL of these rescues are now strictly house cats, and after a short period of time take to it like a duck takes to water. Besides, the neighbors don't complain about poop in their garden, dead birds and mice left as presents, and the ever increasing propagation of the species by owners that aren't responsible enough to make sure their cat doesn't start a harem, or brings home 4 more little ones like herself!....OK, rant off.
Known Gambler said:
For the life of me, I don't know why anyone would let their loving pet outside? How many cats have to be killed by cars, predators, and just mean people poisoning them? I do cat rescue, and I can't tell you how many we've saved that were mutilated in one way or the other, shot, one eye, no ears, burned, and tails cut off. ALL of these rescues are now strictly house cats, and after a short period of time take to it like a duck takes to water. Besides, the neighbors don't complain about poop in their garden, dead birds and mice left as presents, and the ever increasing propagation of the species by owners that aren't responsible enough to make sure their cat doesn't start a harem, or brings home 4 more little ones like herself!....OK, rant off.
You're trolling but I'll bite anyway...For the life of me I can't see how anyone can be so cruel as to keep their loving pets trapped inside when their instincts lay outside hunting and exploring.
My parents picked up a rescue cat a few years ago and barricaded the car flap, within 24 hrs she'd barged her way past it and got out, she came back when she was hungry and now spends pretty much all day outside ad comes back in to curl up and sleep on someone's lap in front of the fire in the evening.
How cruel.
Cyder said:
You're trolling but I'll bite anyway...
For the life of me I can't see how anyone can be so cruel as to keep their loving pets trapped inside when their instincts lay outside hunting and exploring.
My parents picked up a rescue cat a few years ago and barricaded the car flap, within 24 hrs she'd barged her way past it and got out, she came back when she was hungry and now spends pretty much all day outside ad comes back in to curl up and sleep on someone's lap in front of the fire in the evening.
How cruel.
Wonder how they'll feel when the cat doesn't come back, or perhaps they find it run over in the front of the house!..... Nice try though!For the life of me I can't see how anyone can be so cruel as to keep their loving pets trapped inside when their instincts lay outside hunting and exploring.
My parents picked up a rescue cat a few years ago and barricaded the car flap, within 24 hrs she'd barged her way past it and got out, she came back when she was hungry and now spends pretty much all day outside ad comes back in to curl up and sleep on someone's lap in front of the fire in the evening.
How cruel.
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