Keeping cat in doors

nanokitten

My 9 month old kitten has been on her holidays for several weeks during some building work (and kept indoors during this time). What I'm not sure of is how long to keep her in once she is home to get her re-established? I also have some feliway spray to ease the transition.

RacyRed

Did she go out before the building work? Have her surroundings changed a lot? If so I'd keep her in for at least 4 weeks until she settles again.

nanokitten

yes she went in and out quite happily before and was very proud of herself for being able to do the cat flap. She's been allowed out since being spayed at 6 months. The lay out will be identical and she's pretty adaptable (when earlier work was done she quite happily went in and out the living room window after being shown it was open). It's be 3-4 weeks since she was home.

Citysam

When I got my cat from the cats home they said to keep him in for a month to let him get himself settled. However, we have moved a couple of times since and he is so clingy that I know he wouldnt run off and I let him out after a week or so now.

Perhaps you could go outside with her, and make sure she stays within the boundaries of your property. If she gets too close to a fence or gate just pick her up and go back in with her? It seems a shame to stay cooped up now the nice weather is back again :T

nanokitten

I feel bad for her. She has got quite porky whilst being kept in from lack of exercise and the thought of her being kept in for a month seems a long time (as it's longer than the time she was on holiday!) She has lots of toys and human company but at home her sister lives next door and they play games of 'chase' and 'wrestling' from dawn till dusk. (sister waiting at the flap when I am dragged out of bed to let her out in the morning).

RacyRed

If the outside of your home hasn't changed and her cat flap is in the same place then I'd forget the 4 weeks and let her out as soon as she shows signs of wanting to venture out again. She knows her way round and has her sister's scent to follow so she should be fine

nanokitten

Poor thing, she'd be as big as a whale if I kept her in another month!