Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: liquorice on March 06, 2008, 21:29:50 PM
-
Hello
My boyfriend and I have just rehomed a cat from a Cat Sanctuary in Kent. She is 12 years old and very active. We let her out the other morning after being kept indoors for 2 weeks and she ended up in a neighbours back garden 2 doors up (we thought we had lost her), we had to go and get her. Is 2 weeks indoors enough, anybody know any cat tricks etc.
Some people say she should be kept in for a month and others say 2 weeks, we do have a harness which she is used to now but she can't stay on that for ever!
Thanks
J
-
I would aim for 4 - 6 weeks tbh before letting her out if indeed you need to let her out at all.
-
Our adoption papers do state 6 weeks, and I try and stick to that, the quickest i have let one out is 5 weeks, and that was only cos he was absolutely desperate and escaping. I would try the harness for a couple more weeks.
-
Thanks for such a quick reply I will do that!
-
Your welcome - now you need to show us pics of her and tell us more about her - and good on you for adopting an older cat.
-
Yes I have heard of a minimum of 6 weeks, but longer would be better. Also I would not just give her free roaming the first two weeks she is allowed outside. I think it is best if you stay outside with her and let her get used to the new scents around your garden and also so she can "mark" her own scent into your garden. This way she will become familiar with "her" yard and will be able to find her way back home.
Two weeks time indoors is no where near the time it takes for your home to become "her" home. She may become lost again and luckily this time, you were able to find her.
Good Luck and congratulations on your new addition to the family! :Luv2:
-
mine were in for two months and smidgen disappeared overnight the first time he went out unaccompanied - I was hysterical. People here can vouch for that - never heard such a wailing minnie! Err on the side of caution, and unless the cat particularly wants to be outdoors, think about keeping it as an indoor cat for life. With lots of enrichment toys and attention they live very happily that way. I have had both indoor cats and outdoor cats (not at the same time) and either way they seem to enjoy all life has to offer ...
-
The other factor in letting cats out for the first time is them responding to you - you should test them in the house, and if they will come to either their name or the biscuit tin rattling, then they are getting used to you, but if they ignore you in the house, I wouldnt let themout.
-
good on you for adopting an older cat.
[/color]
Yes, well done you - I adopted a 10 yrs old tabby (Bonnie) in December when my 14 yrs old Smudge went missing in September. Bonnie has not wanted to go out, so hopefully I can have her as an indoor cat - Come Summer she might want to and I will have to let her out as it's not fair on her. Looking forward to seeing pics too.
Mary
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Bonny is Bonny Mary :Luv2:
-
The other factor in letting cats out for the first time is them responding to you - you should test them in the house, and if they will come to either their name or the biscuit tin rattling, then they are getting used to you, but if they ignore you in the house, I wouldnt let themout.
Yes, definitely the way to go. You need to know that they will come when you call them. Some cats need longer than others before being let out, though ... my friend's cat only ever needs a couple of days (but then, he's used to the smell). Congratulations on your new puddy!
-
[quote author=Mark link=topic=12805.msg218265#msg218265 date=1204841801]
Bonny is Bonny Mary :Luv2:
[/quote]
Thanks Mark - she sure is. Had this photo on a few posts and I just love it. Put it in a photo frame last week - she's a right poser, the little darling. :hug:
Mary
-
We always say 8 weeks in the hope that they will be kept in at least 4. We ask that kittens are kept in until they have been neutered/spayed.
-
Pics of Tiny
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
She is lovely.
CatJane - it is different when you are moving with existing cats, the reason we state so long is that the cats have to get used to you, as well as the house.
-
Hi
I have noticed our cat's breath smells a bit is this normal? Also she doesn't seem to drink water only milk and thats very little, any ideas or tips?
Thanks
Jackie
-
bad breath can mean bad teeth so get that checked by your vet. Milk is a food, not a liquid so you should only offer it once or twice a week and then only the special cat millk. Fresh water, running water, try whatever is likely to take her fancy. Sometimes they never drink out of the bowl you offer them but you find them in the bath licking up the soapy water, or head down in the toilet lapping away (but only if it has been flushed of course!). If you are not offering anything but water, she will soon start drinking it, they are not silly.
-
Thank you ;)
-
With regards the water drinking... If she eats wet food you could add some water to that, one of my cats doesn't drink water so I always add some to his breakfast.
-
Yes I also add a little water to my kittens food too.