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Natalie's Avatar
Catsey Senior
 
Cats owned: 1 Tabby Moggy & 1 Grey Moggy
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Wales, UK
Posts: 844
04-11-2008, 03:19 PM   #1

When to let him out


How long is it advised that you keep your new cat (not kitten) in to settle within your new home before you let it out into the big outdoors.

Merlin is getting twitchy and loves to sit upstairs on the girls window sills staring at his 'new patch' but as he was a stray I am very reluctant for a while.

Any tips?



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yola's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 1 Persian and one b/w moo-cat mog
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK
Posts: 12,771
04-11-2008, 03:32 PM   #2

Re: When to let him out


Was he a 'local' stray? I.e., does he know the area? If so, you could probably let him out now as we'll be on his own turf, however if not I would leave him for a little longer.



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smudgley's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 3 cats
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Wall Heath.West Midlands.UK
Posts: 7,877
04-11-2008, 03:33 PM   #3

Re: When to let him out


6 weeks.........



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dinahsmum's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 moggie boys; 1 grey 1 red striped
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SW England
Posts: 12,761
04-11-2008, 03:40 PM   #4

Re: When to let him out


...at least.
And make sure he's very hungry when he goes, that he knows his name is Merlin and that he runs towards the sound of a fork on a cat dish or shaken cat biscuits.
I'd say sometime early 2009, when the excitement of you-know-what is out of the way



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Natalie's Avatar
Catsey Senior
 
Cats owned: 1 Tabby Moggy & 1 Grey Moggy
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Wales, UK
Posts: 844
04-11-2008, 03:45 PM   #5

Re: When to let him out


He was found about 3 miles away.

No chance of leaving him hungry, that's an easy one as he ALWAYS is.

He doesn't know his name yet so that's not good.



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Almost a Veteran Member
 
Cats owned: None
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 1,321
04-11-2008, 05:20 PM   #6

Re: When to let him out


I would definately keep him in. If he's been a stray he will be itching to get out, and probably yowl and beg to get out, and try his hardest to run out the door when it's open, but cat's can get very disorientated very easily. It sounds like he won't know the area too well.

Wait till after New Year, make sure he's extra hungry and knows, if not his name, then a 'noise' like 'pswpswpsw' or the kissy noise, and then go out with him.

Just give him lots of love till then



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Catsey Junior
 
Cats owned: Burmese
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lichfield, Staffordshire
Posts: 26
05-11-2008, 09:06 PM   #7

Re: When to let him out


I had a 12 year mold rescue cat in July - kept him in for 3 weeks, the took him in the garden every day on a harness and lead (which he did not mind) then found my courage and let him out by himself - the 1st day he did not leave the garden, day after just sat on the shed - it was much easier than I expected but of course not all cats are the same



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dandysmom's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Leia: blue torbie
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Posts: 31,378
05-11-2008, 10:56 PM   #8

Re: When to let him out


I agree with all of the above...better later than sooner!



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