moving house with a cat, am i being cruel??

[beckoes]

just moved house from a 20 acre property surrounded by paddocks. our cat would run for miles, when id call her back in for the night you could hear her bell from so far away come charging back. she LOVED to run.

we just moved. now living on a road, two minutes from busy high way and two minutes from the beach. we have a tiny garden, and there are other cats and dogs in the houses around us.

im terrified to let her out, she runs at the door ever chance she gets to try and get out. Is it cruel to keep her inside. if i let her out im worried she will get run over, or lost, or something bad. what would you do???

[~Hestia~]

Have you thought about a cat enclosure? You can make them yourself or there are companies that construct them in your yard. They can be as big or small as you want.

[Aussiegirl777]

I think you are being a responsible pet owner. She is not used to such a 'busy' place to live after having so much space around her to roam as she pleased. I would definately be worried about the road because she wouldn't have any 'street smarts' about her. The idea of a cat enclosure is a great one. They come in all different sizes and have different levels etc. to make it interesting.

[skybie]

check your local laws, our council states that cats must be on the owners premisses(sp?) 24/7, so unless u have a cat enclosure, theres no outside time.
might sound funny but have u thought about a harness and lead until shee gets used to her surroundings?

[beckoes]

i dont know about a cat enclosure, id feel like i was putting her in a cage, she spends the day running around the house like a mad thing, up the chairs, bouncing off the walls....litteraly, she chases dd1 around and hides and springs out at her. if i put her in an enclosure id feel like she was even more restricted in what she could do i think. thanks for the ideas though, i might google them anyway and have a look.

[beckoes]

check your local laws, our council states that cats must be on the owners premisses(sp?) 24/7, so unless u have a cat enclosure, theres no outside time.
might sound funny but have u thought about a harness and lead until shee gets used to her surroundings?

wow, never heard that before.

im comfortable with looking like a crazy person walking my cat around the block on a lead!

[~Hestia~]

I think the enclosures can have things to pounce off and climb to make it more fun. I know what you're saying though, hope you can find something to keep kitty happy

[Glamourcide]

I don't think it's cruel to keep her indoors - you are ensuring she remains safe. We used to have our two cats in a tiny 2-bed unit and all they knew of the outdoors was what they could see from the windowsill - it's a bit of an adjustment to make if she's used to roaming free, but she *will* adjust to the new living arrangements If you're comfortable putting her in a harness for 'walks' outside, then go for it, she will learn to make do with what she has - just ensure that there is plenty of indoor stimulation (toys, scratching posts, a sunny spot near a window for basking) and she'll be okay

[Rouge]

We did the same after a big move interstate. Our outdoor cat became an indoor cat. And she's very happy. We always played with her so she gets plenty of exercise. And now she's getting older she does exactly what she'd do outside. Lie around. cats can be happy inside. If you can afford a cat enclosure great. But they can be happy without them.

[LuluHB]

A friend has a cat enclosure that attaches directly onto the house so her puddy can come and go as she pleases through a cat door, but is always contained and safe. The enclosure has logs, grass and plants in there and its big enough to stretch her legs a bit so its not just a little cage ITMS. It also gives the cat an opportunity to lie out in the sunshine on grass if she wants too, which is kind of nice.

I think though that some cats are happier outside than others (mine would never leave the house, specifically the bed) given a choice!), but they can adapt and its a whole lot better than the alternatives. I hope she settles into her new home soon.

[blessedatlast]

I had an outdoor cat and when I had to move into an upstairs granny flat he became an indoor cat. He's fine, still very happy. We have moved now and I let him in the backyard but he doesn't roam far.

Do you have a backyard. Maybe you could just take her out occasionally when you are out there? If she's in new surroundings she might stay close rather than bolt??