My mum is adopting my cousins cat (he is moving to south africa) its a long time since she had a cat any advice to refresh her memory would be good please,,,, also how long will she need to keep him in the house for without him going out?




by the way the cat is called mandella he is neutered and is 5 years old good with children and adults and very friendly




thank you

If it was me, I would keep him inside permanently or cat proof the garden/yard. Maybe sit outside for 5 mins at a time with him at the most and then both go back and snuggle inside where it is safe and cosy. Just my honest opinion!

he has been used to roaming and my my mum is safe she lives at the side of a big farmers field i dont know much about cats but just thought that cos thats what he had been used to it was best to try and stick to that

Personally I would keep him in for at least 3 or 4 days when they first get him (provide him with a litter tray) and try to play with him for 10 - 15 minutes 2 or 3 times during those few days. Then for the next 2 or 3 days take him out into the garden and let him have a wander around the garden for a short period of time (staying with him), say 15 minutes and bring him back. Then allow him out. Gives him time to get his bearings. Also there is the old adage of buttering the cat's paw when you first let him out (theory being that he will have to sit and wash the butter off his paw before wandering off).

One thing though - when the farmer is ploughing or harvesting that field (if he does) then keep the cat in that day.

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

Ideally, keep him in for a couple of weeks. In practice, you might well not be able to keep him in for that long. Cats aren't stupid and will come back alright if they like the board and lodgings. If they don't, they'll go and find someone else. My parents gained about six cats that way

Liz

When we moved house last year i kept mine in for 2 weeks then for about 4/5 months they were only allowed out during day and kept in then at night. Now they have a cat flap so are in conservatory at night but can get out if need to use toilet but we also have a tray in there as well.

I would keep him in for a couple of weeks but you might find he wants to get out before that, so long as he knows where his love and food comes from he'll come back.

minimum 2 weeks to keep him in although if i move house i always leave it for a month.
also dont feed him before you let him out - that way you know he will come back for his dinner.
also do it gradually - dont let him roam all day the first time that you let him out - go in the garden with him for half an hour and gradually increase it

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Breeders of Burmese & Siamese Cats
www.purrfactor.com

There is such a wealth of knowledge on this forum its great, I tend to read some threads just for ideas.

Its different for kittens to an adult cat and it was different again with the stray cat that adopted me. I assumed he belonged to someone so he chose when to stay in and go out, there were no restrictions on him.

Our little kitten will stay in until he's innoculated, snipped and chipped and then he'll only be allowed in the back garden. The road wasn't something I saw as a major hazard because it isn't that busy but it does concern me now.

If we had have been suitable adoptors by a rescue centre standards then I would keep him/her in for about a month and then walk the cat round the back garden. Our back gardens abuts a large field which is safe but unfortunately cats have their own ideas where they want to roam and hunt.

Sue

thanks everyone for the advice... he still hasnt arrived yet but will definatly be here for friday as that is when they have to move out, mums been out n got a litter tray n bit n bobs its ten year since she had a cat to be honest she is more of a dog person but my cousin said if my mum didnt want him they would take him to a rescue n mum dint want that,,,,, before ya know it he will be her best pal and she will spoil him,,,,,,, i cant help but think wht my dog cassie will think to him lol