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The litter tray

Letting rescue cat outside for the first time

17 replies

DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 09:57

We will have had our rescue cat for 2 weeks tomorrow. She is around 3-4 years so an adult, and seems quite at home with us now.

She does seem bored though and keeps trying to stick her nose through small gaps in windows and is very curious about our back door.

Do you think it's too early to let her out for a supervised explore of our garden? I obviously don't want to lose her/her to run off etc..

Any advice?

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DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 09:59

..just to add she is spayed, chipped and had a collar and tag on with her name and my phone number.

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Allergictoironing · 22/09/2017 12:02

I understand the current recommendation is 3-4 weeks. Also, it has been suggested that the best time to try them outside fore the first time is just before meal times! Grin

If she's happy in a collar, have you thought about getting her a harness for her first few forays into the big bad outside world? Oh, and collars aren't really recommended unless it's a quick release one - too many incidents of caught & even strangled cats with the other kind Sad.

DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 12:05

Thanks for replying Allergictoironing

I phoned the vets we got her from for advice and they remembered her and thought 2 weeks was ok.

I have let her out, she was very interested in everything, but has now vanished behind the gardens so I'm a bit anxious.

I have her litter tray outside our back door. She did have some food this morning, but usually asks for a few biscuits round lunchtime too so hoping she will resurface.

Eek.

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QueenieMum · 22/09/2017 12:08

I'd keep her in for 3-4 weeks Dave, I did this with our cat twice during his lifetime when we moved house. Longest weeks ever!! I also did the old wives trick of buttering his paws and then putting him straight outside in the garden. Worked both times like a charm.

QueenieMum · 22/09/2017 12:09

Oops Dave I was too late!! Let us know when she comes back from her wanderings!

ShotsFired · 22/09/2017 12:13

We let our cat out 'formally' early too, after she escaped once by accident.

We were all ready for her to have a tentative amble round the garden, but she was off like a rocket, over a 6' fence and we didn't see her for ages. Then she just strolled back in without a care in the world.

We also started off keeping her in overnight as her previous owners had done (in fact they didn't even have a cat flap). That is now completely pointless and she has - to no great surprise - complete run of the place at any hour of any day.

DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 12:22

I'm fully intending to keep her in overnight..we don't have a catflap so once she is in, that's it...if she comes back Confused

No sign of her..hope I haven't done the wrong thing Sad

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DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 12:24

Just saw her up on my neighbours shed roof! Looking right at me..I called her and she's jumped down into the garden next to that..cheeky bugger!

Hopefully though she knows where home is and she's just enjoying her freedom!

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DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 12:50

Well she's back in the vicinity. Currently in next door neighbours garden!

Letting rescue cat outside for the first time
Letting rescue cat outside for the first time
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Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 22/09/2017 12:52

She's very sweet. I've always let my rescue cats out after 2 weeks and not had any problems.

DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 13:10

She's back.. phew! Thanks for the hand hold x

Letting rescue cat outside for the first time
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Allergictoironing · 22/09/2017 13:52

She clearly knows where her food bowl is! Grin

DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 13:55

And my her bed!

Letting rescue cat outside for the first time
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ShotsFired · 22/09/2017 13:56

Well, that's that then. You made your bed and she's lying in it Grin

Seems to be normal cat behaviour!

QueenieMum · 22/09/2017 13:59

Really glad she's back Dave and I still love your duvet cover! Grin

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 22/09/2017 15:11

She definitely has her paws well and truly under the table!

DavetheCat2001 · 22/09/2017 16:04

Thanks Queenie think it was from the now defunct BHS!

So I've had the back door open most of the day and she's been happily coming in and out, so at least it looks like she knows where home is.

I'm going to have to shut the door soon though as it's getting chilly!

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