Burmese went out for first time

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We have taken the boys in the garden with is the last 2 days. They are 9 months. Have been debating this but their behaviour indoors (they are bored and stressed despite my best efforts and them being a tight social group) is telling me it's the right thing to do. Theyve been neutered, chipped, flea and worm protection collars and loc8or tags. So they've been indoors for months. OMG the change is amazing. They love it, stalking the insects and rabbits (nonplussed), lying in the bushes. We have a big garden backing onto others and a quiet road out front so there is risk but fairly low. I took a deep breath when they went into the neighbours on the first day but they came back with a miaow. Cat flap is in and they are getting it but I'm only letting them out when we're with them for the first couple of weeks. Last night they came in and slept all evening then all night!

[cozietoesie]

Sounds pretty successful. Shall you be keeping them in at night for safety reasons in the future?

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Oh yes they will be in every night.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Some cats love it, you can see the change in their mood quite clearly.

If you hear them fighting don't run out shouting "don't worry cats name, mummy's coming". They will be ok and your OH will never let you forget it.

[RubbishMantra]

DH did that the first time he let MCat out.

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He he I was sure next doors alpha cat would give them a hiding but if anything he's scared of them! My rabbits are less bovvered, my girl gave them the stink eye and they ran off. I do worry about them coming home with black eyes stinking of booze and floozies so they have a strict curfew. They kept coming back to find us which was good, the 10 mins spent in next doors jungle felt like a lifetime though. They are worn out which is wonderful as they've been bouncing off the walls for months and waking me up at 4.30 (when I went down this morning they were still asleep at 6.30).

[caper555]

You have done the right thing! I've had Burmese for decades and they are far happier when able to go out- despite what many breeders will say, they really are not happy indoors.

You can look forward to some lovely presents soon, as they are very good hunters

I shut them inside at night too, I can't sleep until they are in! Amazing cats.

[tangledzebra]

I have Burmese too and I felt exactly the same. I often sit and watch them and they are so happy and content outside. My partner and I say that even if something happens to them, fingers crossed it doesn't, then at least they have had a shorter full life rather than a longer half life indoors. ours have a strict curfew as well

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Glad to hear your success stories, I felt guilty but they were getting stress cystitis on and off and I couldn't pin it down to their relationship as they're so close and there is no other stress. Sometimes one or the other just seemed so restless. This was despite one of us being at home most of the time, lots of toys and cat trees, places to climb and hide.
So 3rd day out today, we stay out there with them. caper555 they are definitely enjoying stalking insects and my rabbits. They like hiding in the flowerbeds and under the bushes then crawling out stealthily. It's lovely to watch them getting such joy from sniffing the air, watching airplanes, walking the perimeter of the garden. They now sit next to the cat flap asking me to open it. They seem very settled and much more worn out than I was able to achieve indoors. I hope they stay safe and there is low risk here but I don't feel I had a choice as the change is quite remarkable. I know lots of cats cope well indoors but my gut was telling me the boys needed to go out.

[RubbishMantra]

Yes, it's the smelling the air, isn't it! Eyes closed, nose in the breeze.

I have a tiny courtyard garden, but my Little Monsier chooses not to leave it. He loves hiding under the shrubs and plants, in order to stalk flies though.