First time kitten owner here! Advice please !

[mrscraig]

Hi
Picked up our new absolutely adorable kitten yesterday. So far, so good...
Have a couple of questions though!
What is the general feeling about letting cats outside? Have looked at a few different forums - some adamantly against, some definitely for. We live in a quiet cul-de-sac but do have a railway line nearby. There are a few local outdoor cats.
Also, what age can you leave them for lengths of time? Is it ok for her to be left for a few hours or do I need to be nearby? I do work 2 days a week (but am teacher, so not back for few weeks) so she will need to be used to be left for longer periods before then.
Think thats it for now - sure to have a few more by end of the day!
Thanks x

[OnlyWantsOneDoesntLikeDM]

I have two cats - got them together from kittens, they are now a year old and fully inoculated and have only just let them out in my garden (but I did move house when they were 6 months old) but Im sure it will be fine to let out when it has had all its jabs..

And yes, you can leave them - they are fairly self sufficient animals

[TaxiLady]

i am sure she'll amuse herself while you are at work.

as far as outside goes, i've three cats and oscar has never really been one for going out, the other two mither to get out as soon as anyone is up

i really think cats ought to be kept in at night though...just my opinion...plus i worry about them! rolls eyes at self

also if you keep them in you are less likely to come down to a house full of mouse corpses!

[madusa]

they shouldn't go out until all of their jabs have been completed.

Unless they are neutred, they should stay in really.

Once they have had eveything done, they can start going out but initially under supervision

[mrscraig]

Thank you for your responses - I feel like a first time mum again - completely clueless and wanting to do the best!
Think I would rather she had some independence and have access outdoors during the day but would like her in at night. Thanks for the tip about shaking the box - just did that and her little face perked up!

We have a wedding to go to on Sat (all day event) - was going to ask a friend to cat sit for a bit but do you think she will be ok?

[aristocat]

ooh yes, cat sitting is a lovely idea.

obviously kitty would be ok on her own but if you're friend is willing then a few hours would be nice.
as cats sleep most of the day they might end up curled on the sofa together

[stealthsquiggle]

Once innoculated and neutered, our cats have always come and gone as they pleased, night and day (major plus to this approach - no more litter trays).

If you are leaving her (and ours have always been left all day) I would get her used to being in one part of the house (kitchen?) and then shut her in there to limit the bored-kitty havoc she may choose to cause. My parents have a great photo of their kitchen after the first time they left their 3 kittens - there are muddy pawprints all over literally every surface except the ceiling - but then those three remained something akin to a tornado when let loose anywhere for the first year of their lives .