What did your cats do the first time they went outside?

[Hubblez]

Just tried taking boycat outside for the first time now that he's been neutered, and because it's a nice sunny day! I put him on a harness with a little lead and plonked him in the middle of the garden

He sprinted straight back into the house!

I took him out a few more times but when I was carrying him out he kept going mental and jumping out of my arms, scratching me, and going back in the house! He seems terrified of being outside

I originally wanted him to be an indoor cat anyway so my wish is granted for now haha!

How did your cats react to the big wide world?

[cozietoesie]

Twoago looked at me in deepest accusation (there was a slight zephyr playing around which was maybe lowering the temperature by a quarter of a degree) before diving back inside.

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

My 2 were like Chicken Little (is it Chicken Little where the sky's going to fall?) - flat to the ground as if something scary was up there watching them! They were about 10 months old at that point.

They like outside now but it has to be reasonably mild & the door has to be open (no cat flap)

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think ours climbed the tree and the fence and was dragged inside for me to have gin. He protested, loudly.

He did used to come back to use the tray which was quite cute.

[itsnothingoriginal]

My cat was off over the fence after about an hour of sniffing around the garden! She had no fear at all - but I think that's her personality as she is very sociable, follows people around, enjoys a face off with both cats and dogs and has a HUGE territory now she's been going out for a while.

I'm sure he'll get used to it eventually - maybe he's just more of a home boy and is enjoying his creature comforts too much

[themummyonthebus]

We've just moved to a place with a garden safe to let mine out into - she's 7 years old and been an indoor cat up until now. She was very suspicious of grass to start with and had a bit of a run in with next door's dog and cat but after a week is now very happy to sit either on the shed roof or the post at the corner of our shared fence in the sun. She also tried climbing a tree but doesn't seem to have enjoyed the experience.
I hope she'll stay close to home and she uses the litter box unlike the toddler who thinks doing a poo behind the shed is the best thing ever

[17leftfeet]

I left the door open and it was a good hour before they went outside

They then spent the next week sniffing around the garden everytime the door was left open for them

One now roams but always comes back for tea then stays in. The other one goes outside to do his business in next doors garden (sorry next door) then comes straight back

[Shartibartfast]

My two wouldn't venture off the decking for about a week- they also rushed back in to use the litter tray! Now one disappears for a couple if days at a time (I'm sure she has another home where she 's scrounging food), whilst the other one prefers to stay close to home. They both frequently bring me the results if their hunting expeditions, some of which are more alive than others!

[mathanxiety]

Killed a squirrel. First time was the last time.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes, you do dread to think what his next kill would have been.

[Madratlady]

The very first time they had a quick look then shot back inside. Boycat was very clingy with me as a kitten and used to come back inside every 20 minutes or so to check I was still there (dh would do if I wasn't bit he preferred me). Girlcat was pretty adventurous fairly soon. She used to insist on being out after we tried to call her in for the night sometimes then be all offended that we weren't there to let her in later on. She hasn't done that since she was lost miles from home for a while.

[ThistledownAndCobweb]

Madratlady, I often think of your cat remembering the long weeks when you were hunting for her.
Lovely to hear he appreciates her home som much after her adventure.

[HolidayCriminal]

Fled with horror back in the house (cats 1-2). cat 3 was much older when we got him so knew about the outside world, but still nervous.