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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Letting cats outside

75 replies

LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 20:48

I have new kittens.

I had two cats before and lived in a quieter road, then moved here, kept them in then let them out and we had no issues.

Our road is a 20 zone but the only road round here with no speed bumps or chevrons so cars often do 40/50 up and down our road as a cut through.

Vet said I can let kittens out after next injections at 12 weeks, I asked about letting them out and he said it is the best thing for them albeit a gamble (with the roads).

AIBU to be shutting myself about it - or will do cats learn quite quickly?

OP posts:

Original poster

LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 20:49

*shitting

OP posts:

Needsleepneedsleep · 22/08/2018 20:50

Totally understand OP. Are you able to keep them in the back garden only rather than let them roam?

Original poster

LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 20:52

Not really ... the would get out, we have a cat flap and I work FT so it’s not really practical.

OP posts:

toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 20:53

I don't think its right to keep cats in, they love to be outside. My cat doesn't go far and spends a lot of time inside, but is very unhappy if not allowed to go out at all.

CrabbyPatty · 22/08/2018 20:53

We kept our cats in for 2 years until one kept begging to go out and we felt it was crueller to keep her in. The other one doesn't seem bothered about going out. A colleague told me that the longer they are kept in the less likely they are to wander off. My cat that goes out always returns after about 3 hours and we don't let her out if we're leaving the house or at night. It seems quite a few people try and have house cats these days because of safety concerns. Whilst I'd listen to a vet for medical advice, I do think this is a matter of opinion. I do think 12 weeks sounds a little early - does he just mean let them have a go in the garden with a bit of supervision?

fenneltea · 22/08/2018 20:53

If you aren't happy about it then don't, there are lots of risks outdoors, especially for a twelve week old kitten! Mine are kept in until neutered and usually until ten or twelve months rather than weeks. Some cats are happy as indoor cats. Have a look at Protect a Pet if you want to cat proof your garden or outside area.

toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 20:55

actually yes crabby is right perhaps, I remember now we didn't let our cat out until about 7 months or more for various reasons, so maybe that is why he doesn't go far? I don't think I would have let him out at 12 weeks, he was too new.

CripsSandwiches · 22/08/2018 20:56

YANBU with my cat I only let her out the back. It wouldn't be difficult for her to jump over the side gate and get onto the road if she chose to but so far she hasn't. My previous cat I would often see at the front and on the other side of the road from our house. Fortunately he was fine and died of natural causes at an old (cat) age, it wouldn't have been fair to keep him in as he'd have been miserable.

Original poster

LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 20:57

I am not considering keeping them in but yeah I might keep them in longer than 12 weeks? They are so tiny?

OP posts:

Rockbird · 22/08/2018 20:59

Currently contemplating this too. About to get kittens and can't decide what to do for the best.

Needsleepneedsleep · 22/08/2018 21:01

OP definitely keep them in until they are older and bigger. I would be worried sick about letting such little kitties outside even with a Tabcat or similar. I worry about my two girls and they are 6 years old and enclosed garden cats!

Might be worth investing in cat proof fencing for the garden and shutting off the cat flap for now.

ShutUpBaz · 22/08/2018 21:02

All four of ours were kept in until neutering/spaying at exactly six months. There are too many unwanted cats as it is. None of mine have been traumatised by the wait and we have had no issues.

dementedpixie · 22/08/2018 21:04

You can't let them out to roam at 12 weeks. We didn't let ours our alone until they had been neutered and microchipped which happened at 4 months. Even then they weren't out alone until 6 months

PeaceRaven · 22/08/2018 21:04

Just keep them in till they’re a bit older, 12 weeks is too young. And it depends on the cats, I have two ‘mostly’ house cats. They potter around the back garden in the summer but the lazy gits never go over the fence.

Whatsthisbear · 22/08/2018 21:04

Kept mine in until neutered as boys wander less once ‘done’. He couldn’t wait to go out. I tried just letting him in the garden and even buying a harness but he definitely wanted to go off and play. it does scare me when I see him casually strolling across the road as cars often come wizzing round the corner too quickly.

Itsatravesty · 22/08/2018 21:05

That is pretty bad advice. 12 weeks is far too young, they need to be neutered first for a start. Apart from the traffic issue, they wouldn't stand a chance against an adult cat and they've still got a lot of learning to do. About 6 months is the usual recommended age.

toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 21:05

I'm surprised a vet said they could go out before being neutered, thats a big no-no.

Original poster

LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 21:10

I hadn’t actually thought about other cats and yes am planning to microchip and neutering.

OP posts:

User467 · 22/08/2018 21:16

I think your vet might be confusing your kitten with a puppy 😳 We waited until after they were neutered. It's scary. There are risks. We sadly lost one of ours on the road but he had a happy life and I don't regret letting him out.

Teachtolive · 22/08/2018 21:16

Definitely wait until they're neutered and chipped. Before that though, if you have the time, it's no harm to bring them outside for ten minutes or so to get them used to their own garden and then take them back in again. That way when they do get let out properly they have a good sense of where they live

CSIblonde · 22/08/2018 21:18

We moved from open fields to a house on a residential road. We made it a policy to never let her out the front, & she discovered the huge, pretty Victorian walled back garden next door down a quiet cobbled path, so never ventured out the front. As far as she was concerned the front wasn't ever an option & she'd got 'her' perfect, v safe territory out back.

user1485816612 · 22/08/2018 21:21

Not had a lot of experience with kittens but if you are going to let them out I would recommend you don’t until they are neutered.

Cats can be perfectly happy inside - it means providing plenty of toys and climbing opportunities mind.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing either. A secure garden, outside access under supervision and harness and lead are all options.

We adopt older cats, our current one was used to wandering in her previous home and we adopted her at the age of 13.

She quickly took to a harness and lead so has daily walks outside the garden and we cat proofed the garden so she can go out while we watch from the window. She is perfectly happy with this.

At her age she isn’t very fast and going out alone puts her in danger from other cats, cars, dogs and people who might want to cause her harm - her version of running is a trot. Some of these dangers apply to such small kittens who won’t necessarily have the sense to get out of the way or to run.

With your kittens being so young you have the opportunity to decide, they will easily get used to any situation. I’m strongly of the opinion that cats shouldn’t be allowed to roam, despite it being tradition, after all we used to have latch key dogs and that changed, people probably used to argue that dogs were meant to roam too. Plus cats are damaging to wildlife, you only have to read the numerous posts on here about cats bringing birds and small animals home to realise that, not to mention them being a Nuisance to neighbours. Saying that though I don’t judge other people on their decision to keep their cats differently, we all love them just the same.

Spanglylycra · 22/08/2018 21:22

Be very careful by the road they are so inquisitive. I've heard that it's good to sit them by the road in a catbox so they get scared of the cars and don't go near it (!)

Tika77 · 22/08/2018 21:23

If a cat’s been neutered and is not a sphynx or similar and you’re aware that you might lose him/her young (unless you catproof your garden) and can live with that it’s fine.
I had a cat that was allowed outside, he used to follow us on the school run. I have rehomed him after I saw him running under a car. I’ll never have a cat that goes out again.
Bit it’s my experience.
I once mentioned on a forum that he goes out, I’ve been called irresponsible and cruel etc.
Oh, and he’s been neutered and used to wonder very far away.
Also not sure where you live hit foxes do attack cats.

itshappened · 22/08/2018 21:37

We kept ours in until after they'd been neutered and recovered fully, and gradually let them out around 7 months. We never let them out at night or when we are away. They are quite homely cats so I think keep them in as long as possible.

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