Should I let my cats outside?

[AC14MUZ]

Hi all

We currently have three cats and all are indoors as we live in a first floor flat. In a few months we will be moving to a house with a small garden. The cats will have loads more space in the house. Our oldest cat is 3, we adopted him 2 years ago and he has never been outside. Our other two are 1 and again, always been indoors.

When we move, after a period of letting them settle in should I let them go out? Should I get the garden cat proofed so they can't roam around and get lost/get into fights?

Or if they have only ever been house cats should I not let them now go out?

I want them to be happy and also be safe, in worried they will fight with other cats or get attacked by a fox or someone just picking them up age taking them, I know that overly dramatic but they are my little furry babies and I love them so much!

Any moving advice most welcome!

[DeafinitelyDaisy2]

I think they will tell you if they want to go out or not... over the years I've lost 2 adored cats while outside, one to poison and one to getting knocked over in a country lane. Now, years later, I plucked up the courage to have another one who, to utter relief on my part, turned out to be very much a house cat. Having said that, yesterday afternoon I was sitting in the garden with the dog and couldn't believe it when she tiptoed out and had a good sniff round and sat right at the bottom on the garden swing! After a little while, she'd had enough and raced back indoors. I'd suggest if they show a sign they want to investigate the garden I'd go with them and definitely make it cat proof. The sound of the birds are enticing them at the moment I think..... but until they're back indoors safe and sound, your heart, like mine, will always be racing.

[MyNameIsntTaken]

The younger ones will probably try to roam. They're just young and probably could get used to new things still.
The older one is probably more used to staying inside and will stay close. If it doesn't stay close though, I don't know if it will learn quickly enough that other cats will fight it etc.

Personally, if it were me, I'd try to make the garden escape proof somehow and let them out there. They'll love the sunshine in summer. I don't really know how people make their gardens escape proof for cats though, cats seem like they can escape anything that isn't a small cage. I'm sure there are ways though.

[AC14MUZ]

I think they are dying to go out, every time I leave a window open they are all crawling out into the windowsill, how long do they need to be kept in the new house before I do let them out? I've been told to put butter on their paws?

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

We kept ours in for a week. . Let them out hungry!! Shout of them in often for a treat or just a stroke!!
Ours are 5 and have moved 3 twice without trauma. ...

[robinia]

At least three weeks but maybe more if yours are used to being housecats. It's a lot to take in, moving house and letting indoor cats out.
I take mine out on leads for the first few weeks.

[Kokusai]

I cat proofed my garden - I really wouldn't feel happy with my cat gong into other gardens and the road because where I live is quite urban.

I did most of the car proofing myself with wire mesh but need to get a specialist company in to do a bit around a low single story extension but at the moment my kitten can't get up there (but won't be long).