How long should I keep cats in after moving?

[Katy May]

Hi. I have 4 cats which are used to coming and going in the day via a cat flap. I moved house on Friday, put the cats in a cattery for Friday night and brought them home to the new house on Saturday. I understand that I need to keep them indoors in the new house until they are used to it and then I can let them outside. My question is - how will I know when they are used to the new house? After 3 days they are fighting and going stir crazy so keeping them in for two weeks or more could cause some damage (to them, me and the house!). We've moved around 4 miles so there is a chance they could find their way back to the old place. Any advice gratefully received.

[fairies07]

When i moved i let mine out after a day,and i only moved 1 mile at the most!! If you put butter/marg on their feet then it removes all traces of your old house!! It does work i did it to mine, leave the door open sit with them for a while... and fingers crossed they will be ok

[brissney]

I kept my cat in for a week but then he was so happy exploring the new house that he didn't seem that bothered about going out. Before I let him out for the first time, I did it just before he would normally eat his tea, that way he would be getting hungry and knows where and who provides it! When he did go out, I went into the garden with him and kept an eye on him. He was so busy marking the new territory as his own he didn't think about running off. After about an hour of wandering around he came back indoors for his tea as predicted. Cats normally only run off if they get scared and are unsure about the new environment so just try to make it as normal as possible for them and I'm sure they'll be fine. Good luck

[hau kola]

At least a week.See how they are,if they are desperate to get out after a week,let them out.Obvioudly make sure they have a collar with your new number on.

[garner]

I would say two to three weeks,make sure they can view outside [window] and they should be ok.

[lankeela]

I have never kept a cat in for more than a day after moving. Don't feed them and leave the door open then rattle the tin and they will come running.

In Finland last June we visited a friend who was at a holiday cottage by a lake. She takes her cat and dogs and the cat is let out as soon as they get there. He comes back in for food and when the break is over they go back to their town house.

[Ebbs]

I also let my cats out straight away after moving, both of them spent most of the first day just sniffing around their new garden.

[Katy May]

Thanks for all your answers. Two of the cats (the females) have settled in fine, but the male cats are less happy. One is very spooked and the other cries all night. Hopefully they'll get happier soon and I can enjoy a decent night's sleep. Assuming they are all back to normal I'll let them out after a week and hope for the best!

Thanks again.

[Panic Button]

Moved house four times with our cat, and it has only needed a few days. Just long enough for him to get to know the house and feel it was the safe retreat from an unfamiliar area.

I kept going out and calling as he explored so he knew where to return to. Cats are pretty clever things!

[Katy May]

Thanks for all your advice. :Let them out after 8 days (at tea time, like Brissney suggested) and they all came back after an hr or so. Today was the 2nd time and they went further away but returned in time for tea. Am hugely relieved! Thanks again.