Just wondered if anyone has any tips on keeping outdoor cats entertained while being indoors after moving house? Also my male cat always does his business outsides and after one day he is clawing and meowing to get outside, any advice on how to make him be able to understand he needs to use the litter? Also any useful tips on letting them out for the first time after moving would be great, last time one of my cats went missing and travelled across town to tne older house and with busy roads between this house and the old house, its likely he wont make it. Someone suggested a leach and harness, would that REALLY work and do the cat any good? X

Well what did you do the first time you bought him into your old house and let him out?

The situation isn't really that different so you can do the same again, but make sure he has things and toys to keep him entertained inside. When he behaves like he needs the toilet place him on the litter tray as you would a younger cat. It might be a battle of wills to start with but when he does go on the tray have a treat ready to reward the 'good behaviour'.

Yes the lead and harness would work, keep the lead reasonably slack and just follow where they lead you rather than you lead them. Let them sniff, wander where they want (within reason) and scratch trees/fences. This action will help to get their scent around the local area so they can recognise it when they are eventually let out. Take him out on the lead several times before you actually let him roam properly. If he's never used a lead and harness before you may want to have a few sessions in the house, just putting the harness on and leaving him for a while. When he's OK with that attach the lead and just follow him around the house with the lead slack.

Whatever you decide to do just treat it as a training session so reward all the good behaviour and have a little patience.

__________________
Adopted by:

Ginge - Abby guinea piggy
Bubbles - English crested piggy
Mackenzie - English crested piggy
Skit - Standard (but cute) piggy
Max - Ragdoll x cat
The Rainbow Fish
Rest in peace my lovely furfamily that are no longer with us.