Moving with cats

[matmor]

Can anybody give me some advice?

I have two cats both of unknown heritage and age. One came from nowhere and moved in with my mother the last year she lived, the other one I picked up as a wreck in a shelter. Since I live in a block of flats, they have had to become indoor cats with access to a balcony.

Now I am moving to a house with garden, and although one of them don't like cold weather and the other one is afraid even of going out on the balcony, I intend to let them become in/out cats as time goes on.

I hope somebody with experience can give me some advice.

[PayItForward]

Make sure your cats have a few weeks in their new home being inside only. They need to get use to one thing at once and need to be attached to their new home.

I would take your cats outside and supervised them for short periods.
The first few times, the cats are let out, don't feed them. Let them out hungry, they won't wander as far and will come home to feed.

Try and keep your cats inside at night, it's safer for them.

You might need to train them how to use a cat flap. Which requires 2 people. One inside gently pushing the cat though the cat door and one outside to reward cat with treat.

PS. Don't force them. If they don't like outside, let them stay inside. Some cats like being inside and some like to be inside/outside, respect your cats choice. Anyway, you can always use your garden !!

PPS. Having said the above. My family cat moved to about 8 new houses all over england, with our family (My dad is a teacher and moved around a lot).
My mum used to feed the cat once at the new address and then let her go outside. Lindy never got lost or run over (Lucky girl). She lived until she was 16 years (Had to be put down due to liver/kidney failure, I can't remember which)

[PayItForward]

Oh I forgot.

Kimlovescats posted this interesting link to a cat proof fencing. It is a net & wood frame which is attached to the top of existing fences. This keeps your cats in and stray cats out.
www.catfencein.com

and you could email Kim for details, as her fella made the same thing himself (clever man)

So if your cats are nervous limiting them to the backgarden might be an idea.

Ps. Make sure your cats are microchipped before you let them out.

[moosmom]

A friend of mine in CT has a huge yard with stockade fencing and netting over the top. All her cats are indoor/outdoor. In fact, I used to bring Moo with me when I went to visit. He LOVED being outside in the warm fresh air, running around playing with other kitties.

[jenluckenbach]

May I ask why they will be indoor/outdoor when they seem to prefer indoors? (disliking cold, and being afraid). Is there a reason that they NEED to be outdoors?

[matmor]

Thank you for your replies.

I will absolutly not forse my cats to go out of they don't want to. But if they want to, I will give them the possibility. And I imagine that the one I inherited from my mother will appriciate the possibility in summer.

How many weeks do you think it is best to keep them inside before I open the door to the garden for them?

[jenluckenbach]

I think PayItForward's idea of 4 weeks is good. But I'd add, taking them outside under supervision at first, so they can learn the lay of the land while you are there to make sure they stay safe.