Want our kitten to stay indoors but he's gagging to go out, realistically are we going to have to let him out?

[hulahoopsilove]

Our kitten is 7 months now and he's becoming increasinly interested in the outdoors, when we open the back door he darts to look out and has ventured out. Also we have a cat flap at the door from last cat and he's been banging on it.

Realistically are we going to have to let him out?

Im worried as our son plays out alot and our kitten loves him and follows him everywhere around the house.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Let him out on a weekend morning before he's eaten. Do you tap his dish before you feed him? Dish tapping brings cats back.

Someone on here has a cat who returns when his owner stands outside opening a tub of cream, that cat is a GENIUS.

[TheSultanofPing]

Our 8 month old has just started venturing out. I took was toying with the idea of him being a house cat, but it was soon evident that he wasn't having any of it. He doesn't seem to go far (neutered) and always comes when called. I am aware that this may change though.

I have no idea whether or not not the cats that are desperate to go out eventually lose the urge, but I'm sure others on here with more knowledge than me will be able to tell you

[OddFodd]

If he's neutered, I think you're much better off letting him out in a controlled way than letting him escape. I let my two out into the back garden with me before feeding for a while before I let them out on their own

[splendide]

I'm having a dilemma about our cat and whether to let her out. We rescued her aged 2 and when we got her she was an indoor cat by her own choice, at her old house she was frightened of outside. She also had no hair down her sides from stress grooming and she was very underweight.

But we've had her a year and she's a completely different cat, much much more confident. She's been outside 4 times each time by getting out a window and she's always come right back when we've noticed and opened the back door. I don't really know what to do. I want her to have the extra stimulation but I'm terrified she'll get lost or run over. I really don't know what to do.

[TroyMcClure]

i hate the idea of house cats

[DramaAlpaca]

I'm another who doesn't like the idea of house cats and I can't bear litter trays. Our two have cat flaps & come and go as they please. Luckily we are fortunate to live away from busy roads.

[splendide]

See I used to agree with you Troy but rescued this one specifically as a house cat. Do you think I should let her out then? I could let her out just in the day but what if she just runs off? It's such a worry!

[splendide]

We do live on a busy road. But then the road is at the front so I don't know if it's realistic to think she would just hang out in the garden. She wouldn't be able to get to the road from our back garden but could if she went a few doors down. I don't think she's very bright and has never had access to a road before.

[Meow75]

splendide, "but what if she runs off?"

This is where it's your job to make your house and garden the place she wants to return to.

If she shows you affection and her life is better than it was before she knew you, it'll be fine.

As a PP said, start with a morning (or 30-60 minute period just before you normally feed her) where you're not going anywhere for a while. Open the door, and you go first. Maybe sit in the garden with a cuppa and your book/knitting. When I'm sat out, one or other of our two is always around.

If your cat chooses to spend time with you inside your house, as opposed to always choosing a bed then it'll be fine. Thousands of cats go out every day to return happy as Larry later on.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We let our two out during the day but they are shut in at night. We are on a quiet road but only about 50 yds away from a busy main road at the end of ours. We never let them out of the front door at all, as it is a short walk from there to the main road. We have 6' gates at the front and back of the side passage, they can climb them but as far as I know have never gone right out to the front. In the back garden there are high fences and hedges between us and the main road, I don't think our two go that far. It is a bit of a risk, but they are so happy outdoors (they are 20 months old rescues, been with us 8 months). When they were being kept in as new arrivals they did keep trying to bolt out the front door, they never try now they have access to the back, it seems to be enough for them.

[Meow75]

Hmm, the road is a worry. Do any neighbours have cats? What do they do?

I know several people who try to only let the cat out when they'll be home. It's coming in that can be a problem.

Or you can try the harness and lead. Never worked well for us though.

[splendide]

She does chose to spend time with us in the house, generally follows us from room to room. Although she snoozes on her bed in the afternoon usually. My husband works from home so she hangs out with him all day.

I think she'd be ok if we were outside with her in the day. She's been next door once but not for long. As I said the few times she's got out accidentally she's run inside at once when we opened the door and called her.

Sorry to be so wet about it she just had such a shitty start in life and she seems so happy now. I really want to do what's best!

[splendide]

Sorry meant to say that yes there are quite a few cats around the area, I think they tend to stay garden side if that makes sense.

[lljkk]

cats are territorial, they usually only run off if unhappy or looking for sex.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think a cat like your splendide might be happy with the occasional trip in the garden with you & not roam off? She doesn't sound like a cat who is itching to know whats out there.

One of ours was a house cat by choice. Very occasionally she sat in the garden with dm. We took photos as proof it happened, that's how rare it was.

[splendide]

I think you're right fluffy. I'll try letting her out with me on a nice afternoon and see how we get on. Considering I don't get to go to the bathroom on my own* I don't think she'll suddenly bolt.

*except when I'm in the shower in which case she'll sit just outside the door loudly registering her disaproval

[ChickenMe]

Our cat stays in. She is a rescued siamese and she'd never been out before. We take her for walks on her lead and she loves that but then she gets scared and wants to come in. She's a bit nervous and jittery as siamese can be. A lot of siamese owners keep their pets in but if I had a moggie type cat I'd prob let it out.

[haggisaggis]

If he's neutered then I would be inclined to let him out - but as already mentioned keep it as controlled as you can at first - during the daylight before he's due a meal.
One of my cats died recently as a result (we think) of being hit by a car. (we live on a golf course and no main roads near us so about as safe as it gets). However that would not stop me from letting any other cats out. He had a fantastically active life and really loved being outside. He was totally miserable any time he had to be kept in (and would pee our beds to let us know). My main mental image of him is him trotting up our drive with tail head high after a hunting trip. Cats are meant to go outside. (he was a pedigree by the way)

[PigletJohn]

if he has no mum to show him round, and if he follows you, try walking into the garden, and back into the house, then round the garden, looking at things and keeping his interest. Possibly let him sit with you in a garden chair. Show him the front and the back of his house to help him recognise it and find his way in through front or back door.

[hulahoopsilove]

Also what age should they go out? Ours is 7 months. Also do they need the lukemia injection before they go out. He was from the rspca who only give them the standard 2 injections