Letting my cats out for the first time eeekk!

[LifeInTheSlowLane]

We have two lovely rescue cats, they've been inside for four weeks nearly so we are planning to let them out for the first time at the weekend. I'm v.nervous, please reassure me they won't run out into the garden, over the fence never to be seen again!!

I've read all sorts of things on the interweb, like scattering some of their litter round the garden, and even putting butter on their paws (??). Any tips much appreciated

Let them out about an hour before you normally feed them, then they should stay nearby.

they will be fine Im sure - cats know what is good for them!!! If you can go and sit out in the garden with them for a while might help!

Thanks for the replies, I'm planning to let them out at the weekend. DH and I between us will be around all weekend so we can keep an eye out, and next week is half term here so we will be around during the daytime. I know I am being a bit PFB about it just can't help being nervous!., they are desperate to get out though, they sit by the kitchen door and give me those big-eyed looks

would 2nd letting them out for a bit just before you feed them.

Also get them used to coming when they are called or to respond to you shaking a box of their dried food etc....

Cats are clever. They will spend all their time scent marking and exploring the garden and not straying very much further the first time, and keep coming back to the door to check its all still there.

3rd vote for shortly before they usually get fed!

Have some special treats with you to encourage them to stay close.

Let them out for an hour, then get them back with food. Call their names as well, so they associate the name and the food. After a while they'll associate name with good things and will recognise their name - one of mine now recognises his name (as opposed to the "call" I trained him to) and will coming running to anyone! Including the vet nurse and DP's 3yo nephew

They might be fairly shy the first time you let them out - my big bolshy boy certainly was. Little and often for the first couple of days has worked for mine; after that they've been fine. another vote for letting them out before feeding time!

If you're confident that they know that you are their people and this is their house, then all will be well.

My cats have moved house 6 times...they have always come home when it's tea time.

I dont wish to out a downer on you but my kitten is missing. Like yours we have had him for 4 weeks from a rescue centre (he is 7 months). He went out two days ago and on the first day just sat in the garden, the second day he poked about the neighbours gardens but kept coming back but today he disappeared over the fence at 7AM and I havent seen him since. I am worried sick. If I were you I would get some harnesses and walk them out for the first few times. Wish I had.

Feelingsensitive - sorry to hear that. Any news?

I've let them out twice for very short periods today - the first time they were very wary - but also it was a bit cold and rainy so perhaps they weren't keen to leave their comforts! Second time they were much more adventurous but stayed in the garden, although one of them did climb on the fence. That's when I decided to tempt them back inside - oh god I'm becoming a "helicopter parent" to my cats!!

don't give them their breakfast and then let them out for a while and feed them when they come back in!

try and potter so they can see and hear you, leave the back door open.

Also do they wear collars?? My cats never really did, except when we moved house, people are only too willing to assume a new cat is a stray and adopt it, much less likely if they have on a collar.

Hope your kitten is home soon feelingsensitive

Catsmamma, they do have collars because they are not microchipped yet although I plan to have that done. Having said that, a friend of mine said that collars are not a good idea because they can get caught on branches etc, even the quick release ones (which they have) might be dangerous. They have bells on the collars at the mo' which I was also told stops them catching so many critters, but the bells are driving me mad - and waking me up at 6am so I think I'd prefer the odd dead mouse to the early wake-ups!

Mine have lost loads of collars over the years. And, despite bells, I get presents occasionally - usually still alive and squeaking.

I refuse to let Mango out of the house without a visible mark of ownership. He's a very handsome lad, and very very very friendly and confident. He shops in Tesco Express and has been picked up from two local estate agents when he strolled in and made himself comfortable! Luckily he quite likes his harness and lead...

He has also played Crookshanks at the local bookshops launch party for Harry Potter 7, and had his portrait taken in the local photo shop