Stray cat - when is it safe to let him outside?

Firstly congrats on adopting a cat, there are so many animals from the RSPCA that need a good home.

From what you said he really doesn't seem that keen to go outside so, I wouldn't push him. I also would think of letting him out for another 3 weeks. Also when the time comes make sure that he has a collar, tag with his name and your details (If he does wander off he will be easily identified by the public) and a bell (so he cant make a meal out of a small animal)

As for his litter scooping out any clumps this should reduce the smell. Put the litter tray somewhere like the laundry where the smell shouldn't bother you so much.

It's great you've adopted a cat from the RSPCA ! It's not safe to put disinfectant in a litter tray,you can get special deoderant to put in, but I think when your cat gets used to having good food, he will stink a lot less and once he starts going out, he will probably only use his tray in an emergency.

As he didn't run out when the door was open, it sounds as if he's settling in and is happy with you.I'd give him a few more days then start going out with him in the garden, a few times a day, for about a week, so he gets used to his new home and leaves his scent around. When he first goes out on his own, make it before a meal, as he's hungry, he won't be very long. Once he's been on his own and come back, he will know exactly where he lives.

Well let the cat get adjusted to his new environment before letting him outside. About 1-2 weeks should be fine, but don't force him to go out if he doesn't want to.

As far as the litter box... can you place it in a room that isn't used a lot? Or some people use the laundry or bathroom. I keep mine on our screened in back porch, but I know a lot of people don't have this luxury. Also, instead of changing all the litter our daily, try scooping it daily, the litter will last longer, and change it out weekly, or even bi-weekly.

And litter means a lot. The cheap stuff won't absorb the odor of the urin, and male cat's urin is really stinky. I use "Scoopaway" for my two cats and it oes wonders.

Good Luck!

I would keep the cat inside at least a month - that way, your house is his new territory, and in theory, he won't go roaming to find his old territory. Just make sure he is microchipped and has a collar on, that way, if he does stray, you are contacted if someone find him or he ends uo in animal control.

As for the smell, try a scoopable litter made for small spaces or multiple cats. The clay stuff doesn't hold on to smell as well. A layer of baking soda on the bottom of the box works well. Also, only have an inch or two of litter on the bottom, that way, you don't waste as much litter. The scoopable litter, if scooped everyday, lasts much longer than regular clay.

Hi

You are usually told to keep a cat inside for two weeks before you let them out. I have an old cat that doesnt go out so we have a litter tray for her, we brought one of those ones that had a "lid" and flap, we dont completely change the litter daily but we remove the lumps daily, you can also get litter fresh which is a bit like shake and vac to put in it.

Hope this helps

Try a bigger litter box, and of course scoop daily. Make sure it's as far away from everyone as you can get it. Also make sure he isn't peeing elsewhere in the house. That is probably more likely than his litter box smelling if it's kept clean. Just follow your nose you'll figure it out.

The cat should be totally acclimated and comfortable with the house regime before being let out. I have a rather large cat friendly dog that cats take a while to get used to so it usually takes a month or so for new cats to get used to his attentions.

We used to pour and mix baking powder into our cats litter dish before we changed their food. Some of the crap they pass off as cat food can make for really foul smelling poop.

When we moved we kept our cats inside for 2 weeks, but they were used to us, did the RSPCA not tell you anything. Give them a ring and ask.

Cat litter - from Wilkinson (but have seen them in pet shops) we brought a small plastic spade with holes in and used this to clean the litter so did not have to change all of it.

you can get cat litter that traps the odour, you can also get slips that line the litter tray to make it easier to clean.

as for the cat going outside. i would suggest slowly introducing the cat outside, such as taking him outside when you go out, but make sure that you keep an eye on him, keep doing this until he is quite happy to go out by himself, if you are worried then only let him out when you are home and make sure that he doesn't leave your sight.

my grandma have lots of cats in her house.she used to keep the kittens in home till they know how to walk and she will keep them in the garden for a week and allow into roam as they like , in nights they will come back were ever they roam that doesn't matter