We Have Just Got A Cat - When Can We Let It Out?

[sacred]

We have just got a cat from an elderly lady who can no longer look after it properly. The cat is 7 yo ans is normaly let out at night. With moving the cat away from its usual suroundings we are unsure when we will be able to let it out of the house.

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks

[Nibble]

Better keep your new "master" about a fortnight to "train" the household properly, before seeing their new surroundings :)

[sacred]

Thanks for that nibbles. We are a little concerned that she has not really used a litter tray for a number of years. Should we expect a little surprise in the morning :-)

[wolf63]

My two are indoor cats so I don't really know the best solution, but this website is good.

http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/index.php

Has the cat started waking you at three in the morning to tell you it's bored or hungry? It is amazing how quickly you wake up when there is a claw in your ear canal. :-)

[Nibble]

It'll only be for a while, at least until she has got used to the new surrounds, and your training is progressing "purrrrfectly". Hope you both enjoy your new lives :)

[sacred]

Hi Wolf63, will have a good look at that site. Have only got the cat today, but previous owner has said she put her out at night. Dont really want to lose her the first week we have her. Can just imagine getting a phone call from old owner saying our cat is on her doorstep :)

[pastafreak]

I agree-2+ weeks before you let your new moggie out...I'd also try not to let it out at night-unless of course you live in a traffic-free area.

[wolf63]

I think that you are meant to keep them in for a couple of weeks if you move house. It will be a bit scary for her just now, she may use a litter tray if you make sure that she knows where it is.

Is this the first cat who has owned you?

[Nibble]

LOL, wolf, we all know where we sit in this thread :)

[Buenchico]

The advice in most books seems to be to keep a new cat indoors for about a fortnight. The only time I've 'officially' acquired a cat (rather than having one simply turn up on my doorstep) I intended to keep him in for that length of time but I actually let him go outside after just over a week. I then spent the next hour frantically trying to follow him through all of my neighbour's gardens, only for him to happily return of his own accord anyway.

[Prudie]

I'd agree with 2 weeks and personally putting the cat out at night is not nice these days. With the litter tray I'd put her/him in the tray and hold each front leg and make a few scratching moves. They learn pretty quickly usually.

[sacred]

Thanks all for the advice. Well got up this morning to find out she can use a litter tray, yeah!! She can also open doors!!!! This is our first cat, so there is every chance I may be on here again asking for advice. Once again that for your help

[ladybirder]

sacred, that is a nice thing you have done for the old lady and her cat, very kind. Please keep her in at night as advised by the rspca because that is the time when they are most likely to come to harm, plus it's cruel in the winter. As she is your first cat, can I remind you to give her flea treatment or you will have a house infested with the little critters. I can recommend Advocate or Stronghold from the vet, don't waste your money on Frontline to which in lots of cases fleas have become immune.
I hope you and your cat have many happy years together, they are fascinating clever creatures. And if you have a problem you will always get good advice here. Enjoy. x

[boxtops]

sacred, good luck to you and your new family member!

A couple of things if you are looking for advice:
- Get the cat registered with the vet, make sure her jabs are up to date
- Get her microchipped (or if she is already, ask the vet to change the registration details to show you are the new owner)
- don't put a collar on her - more cats are strangled by collars (including nearly our Rover) than you'd realised
- think about installing a catflap. Cats like to go out at night but it's not fair or wise these days to shut them out completely, so they have nowhere snug to retreat to.

I hope you both have many happy years together!

[wolf63]

To add to what boxtops says - many cats are also throttled by their owners.

This usually occurs at silly o'clock in the morning when they waken you up using quite ingenious methods

or

the minute you try to use your computer you will find yourself fighting the cat for control of the keyboard.

Good luck

[whiskeryron]

Hi sacred. Just to add a couple of suggestions :- 1. After your new friend has been kept in for a couple of weeks try walking him/her on a lead around the immediate vicinity to familiarise him/her to the new area.
2. I strongly recommend taking out pet insurance ( we are with Sainsbury's but look around for quotes). Our top Cat Riley was injured by a passing car & had to have bone pinning & other extensive ( & expensive) treatment & his veterinary bill was over £1500 00. We were very grateful for the insurance.

WR.

[sacred]

Thanks again everyone. Will be keeping her in for a couple of weeks and will keep her in at night, especially as it is nasty weather. we will def be getting registered and we have found a decent quote for cat insurance from tesco (not lloked at the fine details yet though) does anyone know if Tesco are any good for pet insurance? was hopeing a suggestion of walking her on a lead would not come up - I have already walked her round the garden on a lead and felt a little self consious :-). but it thats what it takes... I will keep you updated, once again thank you

[horseshoes]

Our cat is free to go out at night but chooses to stay in (she's not daft)!. We have a cat flap so she can go in and out as she pleases. We live in the country though so not really many cars (although we are on the road/lane as soon as she hears a car she runs indors) and not many people to do nasty things to her. If you're in a safe area perhaps a catflap after a couple of weeks would be worth thinking about. You'll soon be under her spell. LOL

[wolf63]

I use Tesco insurance for my two and have had no trouble with it.

Frankie has been diagnosed with asthma and I claim on that on an ongoing basis. I think that I will get up to £4000 for this illness.

I think that I pay £15 a month for both of them.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

We have 2 cats and they have access to a cat flap, which is open in daytime but locked at night. I don't allow our cats out after dark because of predators, they have a cat litter for their convenience, which they took to very quickly.

I would keep the cat in for at least 3 weeks, so that it can get used to your family and surroundings. During this time you could take the cat outside in a carrier to get it accustomed to it's natural external environment - sights, sounds and smells.

I would strongly suggest a scratching post with just put a pinch (no more) of catnip on it to make it attractive to the cat this will ensure the cat leaves your furniture alone!!!

The very best of luck with your new employer!!!!!

[sheribee]

Best advice I can give, I did alot of work exp at a vets for my animal care diploma is buy feliway spray and spray it around the house, follow the instructions really, its a pheromone and will help settle the cat and help a just to its new home, you can then let the cat out in 2-3 weeks (3 if you can keep it in that long ) and ensure it is microchipped just in case xx