Letting kittens outside for first time.

[JustBlameSue]

Did you walk about out there with them? How long should they be out? Few mins a day? It is been a long time since we had kittens and have forgotten all about this.

Am terrified they will bugger off.

After they have had all vaccinations etc... Advice I got from RSPCA was to let them out in the morning when they are really hungry just for a couple of minutes then call them back in/rattle the food etc. then feed as soon as they come through the door. Repeat this procedure for a few weeks before their regular feeing times and build up the amount of time they are out.

It is the feeding as soon as they come in that is key.

I took mine out on a kitten harness and lead to start with, as it was clear she would climb up trees/over fences etc and disappear! They dart about all over the place and are really hard to keep together, if there's more than one. I kept mine restrained until after she was spayed. Even now, if we are in the garden she likes to socialise with us, otherwise she likes to go off on her territory patrol. (Now 4yrs)

How old are yours? Ours first went out at around 17 weeks, accompanied. (It was hot though.) Another reason for keeping tabs on her was to prevent attack by next doors cats, who had had the run of our garden and didn't take kindly to an 'intruder'. Now she sees them off!

thank you both. Ours are about 5 months. They seem desperate to go and nose outside. I shall take on board your advice

I'd choose a time that fits RockSolid's suggestion, but if you can, pick a day when you are able to mooch around in the garden for an hour or two if they do go slightly further afield - they normally won't go far from home if they can hear your voice.

RSPCA advised us to keep them indoors for one month so they have time to become attached to the house and are less likely to disappear. (They still ended up 'lost' in neighbours house 2 doors down though.)