Indoor Cat to Outdoor Cat - WWYD?

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

Bit of background, 3yr old enutered male cale, has been an indoor cat his whole life (his mum was my cat, he was born in my house), in December we got a female kitten who is now 9mth old and also neutered; we have also recently moved

Since move 3yd old desperate to get out and about, lots other cats around - he managed to squeeze out unnoticed today and he's been out 'playing' for god knows how long, before he came back in about 20mins ago

Much as it pains me, and it really does, he does seem to want out - how difficult is this do you think to accomplish from him being indoor exclusively to letting him out?

TYIA

[issey6cats]

not difficult at all more difficult to turn an outdoor/indoor cat into a totally indoor cat, let him enjoy going outside if you are happy with this arrangement, i inherited a 16 year old cat who had never been outside all his life within two weeks he was asking to go out and quite happy to have some freedom

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

Its been a very long time since I've had a cat who goes out - can't put in a catflap but don't want him to think we don't love him anymore if he doesn't come back before we go to bed? iykwim?

[cozietoesie]

I'd try and keep him in at night - it's the most dangerous time for cats. So if he comes back early evening for his supper (schedule his food appropriately) I'd keep him in after that. He'll soon learn the routine and he shouldn't mind being kept in at night if he knows he'll get out in the morning.

[issey6cats]

agree with cosie i get my cats in about 9pm at this time of year even if i have to chase the little beggers round the garden but they can go out as much as they like during the day

[BrianTheMole]

My cat went from indoor to outdoor. She was absolutely fine, although occasionally didn't come back at bedtime. I'd go to bed and be woken up at 4 am by her yowling at the door. It wasn't too often though.

[steppemum]

Are you near a road?
My mum took my brothers indoor cats and they were not street wise at all. It was a village and not a busy road, but they lived on a corner, and both cats were killed by cars within a year

I would have to have doors open for 3 yo access to garden though.