My sis has a nice cat about 2yo and it has lived with her for about a year. A month ago she moved 2 streets down (about 2 mins walk) and the cat keeps going back to the old house. She kept it in for a week when it first moved but it just keeps going back. Luckily she knows the new owners of the old place so they just phone up everytime it turns up but was wondering if anyone had any tips, Thanks.

I think you're supposed to keep them in a bit longer than a week.

Think roughly 2-3 weeks, so the cat can get used to the new house and establish it as the cats new home.

It is what cats do. They have more than 2 homes they visit.

I'd agree it needs more than a week inside - difficult when we're finally having some nice weather!
Make sure the new householders don't feed it or make it too welcome - harsh but it'll keep going if it thinks it will get something!

Thanks. The other people do not feed her or let her in the old house. It is a nightmare trying to keep her in, she wants to be out all the time.

I would keep her in for at least 4 weeks possibly more is she chipped

When my colleague emigrated several years ago her neighbour offered to take her one year old cat but my friend knew that this would likely distress him because his old home would still be there, nearby, but not accessible and without its familiar and loved occupants. My friend didn't want to cause him confusion and distress and so she enquired at work for any potential adopters. I offered and, seven years on, have my lovely Bernard.

Cats get very attached to their territory, I think it's even more important than their owners to them, so I imagine it must be very confusing and unsettling for the poor cat, particularly after just one week in the new house.

You will need to confine him for several weeks and make his new territory very inviting - a good place to be. Good luck.

Marella - good point about territory, I hadn't thought about that. My Brooke has had to fight for a slice of territory and I expect she'd be loathe to lose it now

Longer than a week and also take in new garden on harness so it can get familiar with new scent.
Also if she grooms the cat then spread some of the fur brushed out around garden

When we first let our cat outside when she was young, and also before we decided to turn our cat into an indoor cat, when we moved last year, we were going to keep her inside for whole month, then let her out into small areas on a lead for a short amount of time. Each time, gradually getting further away. Slow adaptation is the best way, to get them used to their new environment.

I personally find keeping them indoors for x amount of time absolute nonsense. I've moved my cats three times - 1 or two days for them to settle down, eat some food, nose around and find their litter tray. How can they get used to outside if they're locked in?!

I agree in a new area. I've only kept my cats confined for a few days before letting them outside - they never go very far at first. However, in this case the cat has only moved a couple of streets from its old home so is understandably a bit confused and keeps returning to its former territory.

years ago it was suggested to put butter on the cats paws