Tell me about moving with an outdoor cat. How long do we have to keep her inside?

[Disney1fan2002]

Please, no debates about indoor/outdoor cats. She is an outdoor cat, loves being outdoors (she is a stalker/hunter) and I really hate litter boxes.

I know we can't let her outside right away, but what is a reasonable amount of time to keep her in? 4 months? Less?

 

[Kath2003]

Please, no debates about indoor/outdoor cats. She is an outdoor cat, loves being outdoors (she is a stalker/hunter) and I really hate litter boxes.

I know we can't let her outside right away, but what is a reasonable amount of time to keep her in? 4 months? Less?

We kept ours in for a week, only we broke after 6 days. Poor guy had to go out! I let him out right before meal times and he came back fine.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

We kept ours in for a week, only we broke after 6 days. Poor guy had to go out! I let him out right before meal times and he came back fine.

What makes them know? If the kids play outside a lot, can she pick up their scent in the yard?

 

[Kath2003]

What makes them know? If the kids play outside a lot, can she pick up their scent in the yard?

They get used to the smell of the area;we kept windows ajar because it was summer. Also the sound of the food box will call them back from several miles away

Seriously, I would keep the cat indoors for up to two weeks, depending on what you both can stand.