Before letting your cat outside, understand how cats navigate
High on the list of your cat’s priorities in its new
home is the establishment and protection of its own territory
– a survival instinct programmed by Mother Nature.
Part of a cat's equipment is an exceptional sense of smell and
the means to mark and identify its territory - using its own
unique scent.
In a new home and unfamiliar neighborhood cats do not
rely on visual clues as we do – but depend instead on
their keen sense of smell, which is far more developed
than ours.
Your cat's scent will mark the trail and provide the clues
which your cat will follow when roaming and returning home.
Until your cat has sufficiently marked his territory - he is
basically blindfolded. If your cat becomes even a little confused,
there is a chance your cat might not be able to find its way
back home.
When to let your cat outside
Only after your kitty has become very comfortable and identifies
with the inside of its new home should you let your cat outside.
It is usually wise to wait two or three weeks.
For your cat, stepping outside to explore its new outdoor home
can be pretty scary
... a bit like the first day at a new school – but its
a tough neighborhood.
Letting your cat outside to explore and claim his new territory
as his own is yet one more obstacle for your cat to overcome.
Your kitty might need to challenge other animals as it slowly
establishes command over its new home.
Stay with your cat
When you begin letting your cat outside, always go with your
cat and stay with it until he or she comes inside.
Consider yourself to be your cat's personal bodyguard ...
... if other cats are on your property, encourage them to
leave
... ensure there are no dogs around
... when chatting with your new neighbors ask if any dislike
or are abusive to cats.
Your cat could be feeling totally stressed and skittish. As you
know, it doesn’t take much to spook a cat
– any sudden sound or movement can cause your cat
to take off at lightning speed.
You might not see a cat or other animal nearby - but your cat
will smell or otherwise sense it.
Using a leash or harness will keep your cat
with you and on your property. Your cat should still be wearing
identification on his or her collar, leash or harness.
In the beginning, keep your supervised outings short. Let your
cat explore at its own pace; leave your door open incase your
cat wants to high-tail it back inside.
Don't leave it unsupervised - your cat could wander off or
even be chased away by other animals.
Over time, your cat’s explorations will become longer
as he or she embraces and begins to mark its territory with
its scent. It can take months for a cat to truly settle into
a new home.
Who knows?
Your cat might even make some new friends.
