Question
Is it possible to keep a cat outdoors in a new place, by feeding her treats to convince her she's found a new territory?
The new home has a compound wall, which I'm thinking would roughly mark her territory.
Will she try to escape back to her earlier home?
Answer
I've had cats which have been moved to a new home, both at my parents' place and my own. What we do is keep them inside for at least a week to get them used to the new house as their home, and also to get used to the idea that that's where their people are. After a week, if they seem comfortable in their new surroundings, let them out supervised for a small amount of time to explore the garden, etc. that you have outside, then bring them back in. Gradually increase the amount of time they're allowed outside and if all goes well after a week you can let them out unsupervised and they will have adopted their new territory.
If the cats are still nervous about the interior of the house after a week, delay letting them out for the first time until they feel comfortable with your new house.
Play with them and do everything you would normally do. They should also feel that everything's normal after a while. You don't need to feed them treats or bribe them to hang around, unless that is what they're used to previously. Remember that cats jump, and there will already be cats in your new neighbourhood. Your cats will eventually mark out their own territory, which might not stop at your boundary. Cats see the world differently from us! You will upset the equilibrium of both your cats and the neighbourhood cats, but only for a short time and then they will all be used to the new arrangement.
Answered By - CJ Dennis