How long to keep them locked up?

[OrmRenewed]

We moved out of our old house on 23rd August. We didn't move into our new house until 3rd. Cats were in cattery from 23rd till 4th. They are currently confined to the house to stop them running off. Cattery woman suggested 3 weeks! But they are climbing the walls....and longing to get out. I let them out briefly last night when I was in the garden with them because I couldn't stand the pleading meows any longer. Got them both back quite easily.

2 more weeks? Is that really neccessary?

Depends on how you feel and how the cats are in the house. If they seem settled and used to the routine they may well be fine. If they are nervous cats and possibly going to flee at the first chance or signs of danger then wait it out. I would normally advise people to wait 3 weeks however.

Are they microchipped - if so have you re-registered the new details? Best to think about that before they go out.

One of them is chipped - and the vet has our new address. The other is an adopted stray and hasn't yet been done.

OK thanks. They are both acting a little jumpy still so I guess we had better wait a bit longer.

Can I jump in here to ask a similar question. We got a rescue cat and we've had him for a week. He definitely is not the nervous type and is settling in well - happy to cuddle, likes to hang out with us wherever we are and so on. I want to keep him in for a bit longer definitely as he still a little nervous sometimes, but do I also have to wait 3 weeks? He is longing to go outside and explore. And he's so greedy that I can't imagine he won't come back to us very quickly as he knows that there's food at our house!

The new address must go to the petlog database, not your vet for the chip id to be effective. Please make sure you8 keep the records up to date.

Thanks beautiful. Will dig out the paperwork (once we find where we've put the paperwork!)