Letting a British shorthair out to roam

[Sharptic]

Hi, I have two British shorthairs, 8 months old.

One is a chilled, sleepy non adventurous type, no desire to roam, doesn't play much, nor does he jump up on anything and couldn't scale a fence

The other is the opposite , lively and thrill seeking! Always planning his escape, clawing at the windows , waiting for a door to open so he can bolt. He can play for hours on end and is a great climber and jumper.

They're both chipped and neutered

He seems desperate to explore outside, I let him out yesterday and he went around a few neighbours houses. I could hear him meowing so I called him and he came back.
Then he jumped into next doors garden and chased their dog around, I was mortified, the dog was terrified!! But he's been crying lots to be let out again.

I've ordered him a GPS tracker collar because no doubt he'll escape even if I don't let him out again!

Anyone have any experience of letting their bsh out, are they able to cope? Because yesterday's events didn't fill me with confidence at all! Does everyone feel so worried when letting their kittens go the first time?

I can't afford to cat proof my garden and I know he'd hate a pen, he needs his freedom!

[NotSoThinLizzy]

Both my cats come and go as they please one is very chilled and the other is mental but they both come back haven't been in any accidents so far they are 6 and 3 now. I would just worry about someone stealing your cats if they are pedigree though I suppose the risk is lowered because of being neutered

[SubparOwl]

Both mine have been allowed out. We have had one for 13 years, he's fine although his ears are raggedy from fighting in his youth.
My other used to go out too. We had her for 10 years and she went missing, only to turn up from microchip two years later...she'd got into a van that visited ours and was living far away in the woods near the depot. Sadly she was found because she had become ill and was unable to feed herself any more, so she did die. But by her weight she had been coping well until the end.
They both get/got so much from being out that I wouldn't restrict it.

[Macarena1990]

Our bsh has always been allowed out since she was neutered as a kitten (she's 7 now).

She never seems to roam that far as she comes back pretty quickly when I ring her bell. I do bring her in at night now as she is quite the hunter and as she is not very agile and can't climb/jump very well (typical of the breed!) I worry about her getting attacked by foxes.

[Sharptic]

Thank you for ur replies, feel a bit better about letting him out.

He's pacing the house wowing to be let out now, driving me mad 😄
I just worry that if he's happy to confront a dog so easily, what happens when he meets one who's aggressive?

When his tracker comes I'll let him go 😰😰, at least if he is stolen or trapped somewhere I'll have his last location, and the device notifies me if his collar comes off.

I never knew I'd be so attached to this little kitty

[Fluffycloudland77]

What kind of dog was it? My Bengal shits himself when he sees the bichon frise with the pink collar.

[Sharptic]

Erm think he's a cockapoo? The dog seemed more scared of my kitten (who is still crying to be let out 😢), but I thought cats were quite careful when it came to dogs , not this one

[Theyalwaysfalloutoflovewithme]

My BSH loves to go out! He's a greedy boy so we 'treat' him to a wet food pouch at nighttime so that lured him in (always and biscuits)

We let him out slowly and spent a few weeks with him on a lead just letting him know the garden and the boundaries. We also have an electronic catflap that allows him out only between 7-6pm.

He's incredibly inquisitive so I will always worry about him and he's already jumped in next doors window for a cuddle a few times, but honestly with his character there was no way we could have kept him in.

[Mog6840]

My bsh is also 8 months and loves to climb and is very adventurous. I'm starting to feel mean for keeping him inside, but I'm so scared about him getting stolen or straying too far.

What gps tracker did you get? Iv not heard of these. That might set my mind at ease a bit.

[Sharptic]

tractive.com/en/pd/gps-tracker-cat

This one, I haven't got it yet so don't know if it's any good.

[NotwhereIshouldbe]

I knew someone with a BSH who was let out, she lived near a busy road but cat seemed pretty street wise and always stayed out of trouble and came home. I went round her house once and her cat was by the front door meowing at me. When my friend opened the door I said "I think your cat wants to come in". My friend replied "no, she likes greeting visitors and walking through the front door with them. She'll head straight back out the cat flap in a second" and sure enough she did! She also fostered dogs and her cat was the most dog friendly cat I had ever seen, brilliant with them. Made me want to get a BSH! 😄 Sadly DH doesn't like cats...

[Jaxhog]

Both of ours go out (they're 10 and 11 years old). Our previous 2 did too, and one lived to a ripe old 18 years! We've always kept them in at night, which they're fine with, provided the litter tray is clean and refilled.

Whether it's safe. very much depends on where you live. We don't have main roads all that near, so not a lot of traffic.

Ours used to terrorise our NDN's dogs, usually from a safe tree! We have chickens and ducks next door now, and our cats are curious but keep away. (Have you seen the size of an average chicken!)

[Jaxhog]

I like the idea of a tracker! Although ours are such devils for losing the 'easy-release' collars, that we've had to switch back to the old type with buckles. I'd hate to lose a tracker.

[Jaxhog]

Don't worry about him facing down a dog. One of our previous cats (the one who made 18) used to face down the local fox cubs on a regular basis. You'be surprised how fast a cat can levitate up a tree.

[Sharptic]

Those replies are so funny. Cats have so much personality, and more intelligent than I'm probably giving him credit for.

The tracker subscription is quite expensive 😥, premium is £77 for one year and the tracker is replaced if lost. I haven't decided on the subscription yet , there are cheaper options.

[bullyingadvice2017]

I like the look of the tracker. My main worry is if they get run over. If we didn't live by a main rd I would have not many worried about them going out.