Moving question about cats

[sconeonamission]

Hi!
We've recently moved (moved in on the 2nd, so 2wks?), and have had our cats in the garage (that attaches to the house) up until yesterday. I let them wander around in the house yesterday, to get them used to the place. They were in the garage again today coz we weren't home, and we're really worried they're going to pee or poop somewhere they shouldn't. Today I discovered they peed in ds bathroom, all over his bath toys! I want to let them outside, but don't know how long I need to wait til I can let them out there. I want them to come home still! They were outside cats at the other place. Both next doors have dogs.

They look a bit skittish inside, maybe coz they've only run around inside the house once...

[STARRYSKY]

I think when we moved here, we kept my sylvie in for about 2 weeks, but she was in the house, never had any probs with her going anywhere but the litter tray though, she is now the queen of the ctas around here, all the toms come and harrass her and she beats them up! she is about 13 years old, so not a youngin.

[murraysmum]

we used to keep them indoors for a few days then supervised visits out side then let them go for it

[ss_storm]

if you are worried, can you take them outside on a lead a few times so they get the lay of the land, without being able to run away?

[New Dawn]

my cat has moved 4 times in 4 years ( god I didnt realise it was that much ) we keep her in for maybe a week, she has never gone away, cat are smart they wont get close enough to the dogs next door, might tease them alittle by sitting on the fence but other than that they will be fine... they know where the love is ( and dinner )

this has been the only house we have had a problem with our cat doing her business somewhere she shouldnt, but I think thats coz we are living on 18 acres and there are loads of snakes and other creapy crawlies, and some not so friendly wild dog packs, so I guess she is just to scared to crap outside...

[Doodlebug]

Whenever we let one of our cats out for the first time we'd do so right before feeding time. Make sure their bowls inside are empty or taken away after breakfast then about 10mins before dinner let them out. Go out with them if you can the first few times, then after 10mins start calling them for dinner back inside. I think we did this for about a week then they were on their own!

Good Luck!

[danniellabella]

We kept our cat inside for about a week and a half I think, then for a couple of days we let him out the back while we were out with him and kept an eye on him. These excursions were only for about 10-15 mins though, then we just tried it one night on his own and he came back the next day and kept coming back. We only let him out the back door (not that it makes a difference with cats). He doesn't wander far.
I think a lot of it depends on your cats temprament

[blessedatlast]

Whenever we let one of our cats out for the first time we'd do so right before feeding time. Make sure their bowls inside are empty or taken away after breakfast then about 10mins before dinner let them out. Go out with them if you can the first few times, then after 10mins start calling them for dinner back inside. I think we did this for about a week then they were on their own!

I agree.. Even now my cat is 8yrs old and because I don't like him out at night I try not to let him out after dinner time as it is always a lure.. Don't use food as a bribe to get them in though if you are not going to feed them.. Cats are smart enough to figure that out..

And yes they will occasionally go to the toilet where they shouldn't somewhere new.. Just a territorial thing.. And as for peeing on your Ds's bath toys maybe that was just because they couldn't find the toilet and it was close to a drain? My cat pees in the bath if his litter isn't around.. Or it could again be a territorial thing..