Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Indoor cats becoming outdoor cats

6 replies

nicklenackle · 25/04/2012 13:43

We are in the process of moving from an apartment to a house on a quiet road with a garden - this will mean that our two cats will be able to go outside for the first time. Hurray! :) They are brother and sister, about 18 months old and have never had access to the outside world.

My question is really how to go about it safely and so that they don't freak out! Also, how long should I keep them in at the new house before I let them out? Does it make a difference that they don't have an outside 'territory' where we are now - will that mean they won't have the same tendency to wander off looking for their old home?

I'm hoping they will get the hang of a cat flap as their litter tray is a covered one with a flap, but any advice on that would also be gratefully received. I'm really excited for them, but want to do it right. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
brooke89 · 25/04/2012 18:03

Hi, I had 2 indoor cats who lived in my apartment they were brother and sister, when we moved house we kept them In for 2 weeks and could see by the end of the first week they were itching to go out so gradually started to let them out keeping a close eye on them and eventually letting them stay out longer and longer. They learnt to come in and out through the window if opened and to scratch on the door when the window was closed. Smile good luck!

nicklenackle · 25/04/2012 21:03

Ah great! It's nice to know it was successful for you and your two :) I think they're going to love it outside, I can't wait to see their faces...

OP posts:
brooke89 · 26/04/2012 07:48

Yeah it was amazing to watch them one of mine loves it outside the other goes out for a bit each day but stays in most of the time! I made myself sick with worry about them though, so try not to panic it they don't come back after 10 mins lol

issey6cats · 26/04/2012 15:23

when my stepdaughter moved in with us she had a 16 year old cat who had always been an indoors cat never been outside, like the poster above i kept him in for a couple of weeks, then i just opened the door and left it open and let him decide wether he wanted to go out or not, he did and loves been an outdoors indoors cat now, he dosent go far though from front door round to back door and back

MrsMagnolia · 26/04/2012 18:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nicklenackle · 27/04/2012 20:50

MrsMagnolia, that's a great idea about keeping their food back at first while they explore, I'll definitely do that. I'm a sahm at the moment so I'll be able to keep an eye on them quite a bit in the early days.

Thanks a lot everyone.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread