Personally I wouldn't take the chance of the cat taking off, whats the possibility of you using a collar & leash and walking it around your property so he doesn't get scared and take off on you. Other members will have more advice for you. Good Luck

I would keep him in for a few days, at least until he is familiar with his new indoor surroundings and comes to the realization that this is now where his people live.

I have done this a couple of times. The first time (and fairly recently neutered) I kept him in a room of his own with his bed, toys, litter box and food. He wasn't overly pleased about it but he managed. After a few days, I let him wander the house (this was a very temporary living situation) and after a week to 10 days, I let him out to explore the new surroundings. He was only out for short periods before he would come back to the patio doors to check to see if the dog and I were still there :-)

We have moved 3 times since and I have followed a similar procedure all three times. My cat is strongly bonded with both me and the dog so that might make a difference but he has never run off in any of the new locations once he knows where his food is located and that the dog and I will be there when he returns. In fact, he would accompany us on our daily walks and made friends with neighbors and neighborhood pets. He was probably better known in the neighborhood than I was!!

Since a close encounter with a coyote earlier this summer, explorer cat has now become indoor cat. They do adjust to new circumstances and often very easily. And given the risks involved in letting cats roam outdoors, becoming an indoor cat is maybe even a better solution.

An emphatic NO!!!! Before-after-during a move is when the greatest likelihood is of cat getting lost . I would keep him in a good two weeks at least. Try his usual substrate (dirt? leaves? mulch?) in a box. If that doesnt work perhaps an outdoor enclosure of some sort -can be left up either temporarily or permanent.

Oh -one thing Ive done is whenever I can, Ive taken my cats back to the old house once its cleared out and cleaned so all odors removed. They really do comprehend that they no longer live there and then wont fuss and complain or try to get back to the old house. Thats assuming the inside of your house was also part =of your cats territory. One of my cats made a beeline to where the food dish used to be and when he saw it wasnt there, then he was like "OK whatever, guess I dont live here anymore."

I don't have a cat but my neighbor had a similar experience. She kept him on a leash so he could wander and use an outside litter box. She had a indoor one as well. It took a few weeks until he made the connection. She still likes to take him on walks and gets a lot of attention.

thanks to those who made suggestions.....so i guess there's no one who reads this who has successfully just let the cat out right after moving.

i will try putting him on a lead and taking him out later.

i normally like that he doesn't use the cat box...less work for me

so this is a few minutes later and he finally used the box! i think i can find something else to worry about now.

Randy, we successfully moved my Dad's cat from his house after he died (which was outdoor mostly) to my house (inside only). She had never used a litter box, but didn't have a problem adapting at all. Our street is way too busy for outdoor cats. The only thing that she had missed was trees to scratch on. She didn't know what a regular scratcher was. My husband brought a piece of firewood with the bark on it inside and she loved it! She scratched and scratched and then went to sleep with her head on it.

Good luck with your cat.

Great news! I would suggest that you still put him on a lead so he can safely acclimate to his new location. Despite the best precautions, cats can get loose and he will need to know how to find his way home. Scent markers are critical here, as CResident pointed out.

thanks for the scent info. is it only cat scent that's important or my scent and the dog's scent count as well?

he got out yesterday evening and swiped me when i freaked out....but i calmed down and he let me grab him.

Knuckles.

I am glad he is fine Randy but FYI I have a cat who gets extremely claustrophobic if kept inside a new house right after being moved. He kept me awake the entire night in the new house meowing and clawing at the blinds frantically. Going out with him in the morning helped him immensely. Granted for many cats this would be bad if they are likely to run and hide outdoors in the new area. You have to know your cat. Mine is often more comfortable outdoors. The next time I moved I took him out right away and walked around with him first and then he was much more comfortable staying in the new place that night.

just an update....this morning i let knuckles go outside for the first time. no lead. i hung around with him a bit and assured myself that he knew where the door is. he did some exploring and then came back to the door to be let in. he is worthy of cat doors!