How long before Samson can go out?

[LadyJane]

Thanks everyone.  I think we'll definately keep him in for a couple of weeks and then play it by ear after that and see how he goes.  Our back garden is quite enclosed so I don't imagine he'll go too far initially.  Especially if the vole we saw last night comes back!!

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

We tell adopters 3 weeks but I know most give in after 2 weeks.
I myself, along with lots of other people I know who are very experienced, never make it very long! The howling and attacking the catflap as well as the knock on affect of limiting the other's access makes it difficult! I always judge it on the cat- if confident and bonded with us quite quickly then it's quicker to go outside and if more timid, I keep them in longer. As gillian said, them deing desperate to go outside really doesn't do anything for the bonding process and can really stress them out.
I do think 3 weeks is a good guide as it's long enough to get them aclimatised as well as not being too long without outside access. Ours vaired- we had Oscar was a kitten so was in for a long time, Monty was a fostered cat so was with us for 7 weeks before he officially became a housemate and went outside. Jasper broke his way out of the catflap in just under a week and by the time we realised he had worked out how to unlock it, he had been coming and going for a couple of days (such a clever boy!) we were planning on 3 weeks though. Our newest boy Marley went out after 10 days as we knew he was bonded with us and he was getting so distressed at not going outside. Again, we were planning on 3 weeks but judged it on him.

If I only had one though and it didn't affect the others then I would be keen to keep newbie in for the full three weeks/ four weeks.

Enjoy him!

[Mollyrock]

I agree with Gillian, i think you do get a feel for when the timing is right. Tiggz we kept in for 6 weeks, Kimba, 4wks, Saxon 4 MONTHS!!!! (he's mental) Lacie we have had for 6 wks but have no intention of letting her out. (even more mental than Saxon ) lol

[Gillian Harvey]

There isnt a right and wrong amount of time to keep them in, its different for each individual cat, if he's going stir crazy after a couple of weeks it won't help with the bonding anyway, think its a case of playing it by ear, you'll get a feel for when is the right time. 

[LadyJane]

I can imagine Samson is going to be chomping at the bit to go out in a few weeks, he's already discovered the cat flap bless him (it's locked and we've put a big bin infront of it just incase he tries barging against it like he did when he was in the carrier last night!)

[Daisymac]

When we moved I kept my lot in for 6 weeks,  drove me completely mad !,  each time I have added another furbaby I usually keep them in for about 6 weeks also.  You would get away with shorter than that I am sure,  in fact when we moved to our current home one of ours got out after only 2 days but came back home again,  (not suggesting you let Samson out after two days,  but I am sure cats are not as green as we think they are)   

[LadyJane]

Crikey, I didn't realise that a month was short haha!!

Thanks.

[clarenmax]

I'm no expert as my boy is indoor, but I thought it was longer than a month, maybe 6 weeks?

I could of course be wrong though, hopefully some other peeps with more experience with outdoor cats will be able to help you further on this 

[LadyJane]

Hi,

Obviously, as I only got Samson last night, I have no intention of letting him out just yet however the rescue centre said I should keep him in for at least a month to make sure there's a bond and then he won't wander.

I expected something like a couple of weeks but is as long as a month really necessary?

TIA