Kitten going out for first time, question #2...

[Smee]

Have just seen two rather cute kittens cavorting in our garden. We think they're with new neighbours two doors down. They're maybe a couple of months older than our cat, who should be venturing out for the first time in April. So what will that mean then? Massive fighting for territory, or a fun couple of cattie mates to chase and play with?

You might be surprised by them getting on well! If you and kitten approach together, and you get to stroke them all. If all their tails are up in sign of greeting and sniff each others faces calmly, it's a good sign.

We used to take our kitten out and around our big garden on a little harness and lead for kittens, before she was spayed, so that she could sniff all the other neighbourhood cat scents and get her bearings. If we hadn't, she would have been up a tree or over into other gardens. It was hilarious as we were constantly untangling it from shrubs, etc. But it was really useful for those weeks when she was desperate to go outside and might have got pounced on by a tom.

Next door cats had the run of our garden for a few months before our kitten was adopted, so were aggressive over what they viewed was their territory, and at least she could hide behind our legs during a confrontation! Once she was adult sized she could see them off by herself!

Thanks girlywhirly. I might have to get one of those harnesses. Sounds like fun to watch, and sensible too. Am sure the cat would love it, he's gazing wistfully out of the window as I type..