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AIBU?

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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? Confused

OP posts:
Triskaidekaphilia · 22/08/2018 21:39

We allowed ours out at around 4 months on harnesses, then supervised from 5-6 months, before we eventually let them go out for longer times on their own. They were around 1 when we got the catflap put in (before that we usually left the door open even if it was chilly because we were soft Blush) Used to be really worrying at first but there's a sort of field/foresty bit behind our garden so we know they have no interest in the road.

As pp said though wait til they're neutered/spayed though before you let them out unaccompanied
because there's a risk of them straying. SIL's cat escaped before spaying, was gone for about a week and came back pregnant, but she was lucky she came back.

Hertha · 22/08/2018 21:44

Whilst I’m sure cats enjoy being outside, given their environmental impact I think it’s best to keep them indoors. We’ve had indoor cats (DP’s choice for their safety - more predators where we are) and they were perfectly happy.

Greyhorses · 22/08/2018 21:48

Mine goes out out but he will be my last cat as in the past year we have had one ran over, one killed by dogs and one poisoned.

I couldn’t keep an indoor cat as I like my windows open too much so won’t be having any more after this one is gone (hopefully in a long time!)

Keeping cats who want to go out in is a nightmare.

Lynca · 22/08/2018 21:49

12 weeks is far too young, they're still babies! I'd be worried if they wandered into a garden with a dog/cat/fox they wouldn't be big or athletic enough to escape over a six foot fence or whatever.
We waited until ours were 6 months after they were spayed and microchipped before letting them out. In the weeks preceding it we took them out on a leash and harness just so they could experience the outdoors and it wouldn't be such a shock to the system once they were given true freedom. Now they tend to just wander between our front and back gardens and the two either side of us.
Also make sure the first time you let them out they are hungry so you can get them back easily. Work on conditioning them to a noise that you associate with dinner time or a treat and you'll be able to get them back in when you want them.

Ingalia · 22/08/2018 21:55

Like many previous posters, mine were kept in until spayed... they might have sniffed the garden with us around but were about 9 months old before I opened the cat flap and let them roam at will. Even then, we have always got them in before nightfall. They occasionally go into neighbouring gardens but they don't seem keen to go far.
I also never let them out the front into the road. Front garden = vet visits only!

AlpacaPicnic · 22/08/2018 22:02

I kept mine in until they were well over 6 months. They just seemed so tiny before that. One of mine is a total wanderer and the other never goes further than next door!
I would like to build a 'catio' on my back garden if I ever got new cats. That way they could go out but still be safe.

lunchboxloony · 22/08/2018 22:09

I lost a couple to the road (at night) when I was younger. After that I used to shut the catflap at night - the road was quieter then and I think they can be fooled into thinking it's safe - or maybe they wander more in the dark? Anyway, after that I had no problems, even though I have had cats that would go into the front garden and even walk along the pavement at the front. Good luck!

ALadyofLetters · 22/08/2018 22:12

You can’t let them out until they are neutered- boys roam and girls get pregnant.

I had indoor cats when I was a child and when I moved out of home I took them with me. They remained indoor cats as they refused to go out and although they were much loved and had plenty of stimulation they were very anxious. They used to wee on things and although I dowsed the placed with Feliway it made no difference.

My cats now go out and I’d never have a indoor cat again. Although you run the risk of roads etc, they have much happier lives.

BlueBug45 · 22/08/2018 22:19

@lunchboxloony it is because car headlights apparently confuse them.

Original poster
LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 22:34

When PPs say with harnesses what do they mean?

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyRussell · 22/08/2018 22:36

I am a little bit in love with them Blush

Letting cats outside
Letting cats outside
OP posts:
LillyLeaf · 22/08/2018 22:41

I keep mine in at night as we have foxes around most nights. She's used to being in at night and comes in by herself by 9pm (sometimes I have to call her).

ToadOfSadness · 22/08/2018 22:46

You could get cat proofing for your garden, then they could go out and not leave the garden.
Or build an enclosure or 'catservatory' so that they can go outside and be safe.
It is not just roads you need to worry about, it is also poisoning by people, anti freeze, brake fluid, lilies and other plants, people shooting at them, throwing boiling water on them, or petrol and setting them on fire, stripping fur off them, setting dogs on them, stealing them for dog bait.
And then there is the UK cat killer on the loose, I think he has racked up around 300 killings to date.
Obviously there are many cats that do survive all the above but I have seen far too many at the side of the road. It also sickens me that there is a new trend for deliberately driving at animals to hit and kill them.
I read the other day of a rescued cat in Somerset that had a gun put in his mouth and fired. There are some truly evil bastards about.
Please consider cat proofing. This thread in Pet Forums might be of interest
www.petforums.co.uk/threads/cat-runs-cat-proofed-gardens.211361/

ToadOfSadness · 22/08/2018 22:50

Forgot to add, Google Walking jacket for cats, it is a little jacket to which you attach a lead, more comfortable and secure than a harness that is made of straps.

BackToTheFuschia7 · 22/08/2018 22:50

I have several cats who used to be free roaming who are now house cats with access to the garden only and haven’t looked back since.

I actually think it’s cruel to let cats out knowing they’re so likely to be killed by a car, let alone the other risks they face like dogs, poison, getting trapped, cruel humans etc. Toddlers and dogs would also like to free roam given the chance, we don’t let them for their own safety. Cats deserve the same level of care.

Megabeth · 22/08/2018 22:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlorencesHunger · 22/08/2018 22:58

I wouldn't be letting them out shortly after 12weeks, they are so young and small!

I did research online and basically came to the decision to keep my cat in aslong as possible until the age of one and after she'd been spayed or whatever the word is for it.

She got out before one as she wanted to go out but still nearer to being a young cat than a kitten.

Word of warning if any of them are females watch them hawks as when their ovaries and hormones kick in by weekly they instinctively try to get out st every opportunity. Chance of a pregnancy kitty or a lost and pregnant kitty. Sad

FlorencesHunger · 22/08/2018 23:00

Harnesses like what dogs have, start them young and take them on drives and walks etc.Basically cat-dog.

Wish I'd done it.

TheLuckDragon · 22/08/2018 23:01

We got cats earlier in the year and they only recently went out for the first time at 6 months as we wanted them to be spayed first

FASH84 · 22/08/2018 23:01

I kept mine in until he could be neutered at six months, which seemed responsible. He's now seven and even now he goes out when we're at home, just so I would know if he went missing for long periods of time, but cats do need to go out

FASH84 · 22/08/2018 23:03

Oh I did try a harness, from kitten age, cat would go stiff and lay flat on his side, just wouldn't be walked

ThanksHunkyJesus · 22/08/2018 23:05

By all means let them out by the road but don't moan if they get run over.

stopgap · 22/08/2018 23:07

I honestly didn’t know that you could use deer-type fencing to keep cats contained in the garden. Makes sense, though.

We have a 1.5 acre garden, and I would love a cat, but we are in the suburbs of NYC, and have to contend not just with foxes, but also raccoons and coyotes. Plus we live aside a busy road. Thanks for drawing my attention to an indoor cat alternative!

hartof · 22/08/2018 23:23

Our boy kitten is 4 months old, been neutered had all jabs and has no interest in going out. We've taken her m out with a harness and he doesn't move. We've let him potter about the garden and he's okay with that.

I'd never let him out right now because he's so daft, he walks along open window ledges but will not wander outside on the front!

agnurse · 22/08/2018 23:54

Our kitties are inside cats. We're worried they might not come back if they got out, plus one of them is a bit thick and I doubt he would last 2 hours out there by himself Grin

One of our cats likes to attempt a jailbreak every now and again but he* is easily caught and brought back in. We do leave the door open with just the screen door shut when it's hot so he can get some fresh air, which he likes.

Statistically cats tend to do better if they are kept inside. They have a lower risk of being run over and they tend to have fewer problems with parasites.

*When I say "he" in this context I do not mean the thick one. That's Biggie. The escape artist is Gatsby. We have three cats - the boys and a female, Jayda. (Everybody is neutered.) Gatsby broke a screen and he and Jayda got out in the front yard. We got them back in. Biggie was in the house. I don't think it occurred to him to try to leave. He's THAT thick. He is lovely though.

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