indoor cat going outside for first time.....

[smokinaces]

When we rehomed a cat two years ago he was slightly overweight and petrified of kids and most people. It's taken us two years of him being an indoor cat to get his confidence and he is now a happy, beautiful, calm cat.

However he has shown an increased interest in outside. Much to my dismay :-(

So I want to get him ready to go out this weekend. He is neutered. I have just done the spot on neck for deworming and will do the flea one in a bit. I have bought a bright collar - he is jet black - is there anything else I need to do?

He had injections two years ago but the whole experience of trying to cat box him since traumatises him too much so we made a decision to only use vets in illness and emergencies. Is there anything I can do preventative wise at home other than worming and fleaing? He is very healthy.

And some reassurance hell come back please?!?!

Not much practical advice. We rehomed a cat we were told had lived as an outside cat. Kept her in 2 months (I think) and then let her out. It became apparent she had NOT been outside before. It took her a while to adjust (and to learn how to jump!) but she was fine. Sounds to me like you have most things covered - is he microchipped?

Not wanting to worry you, but if you think he might go missing why not take a photo in case you need one for a poster?

HTH

He is microchipped. However, when I rehomed him the previous owner never signed the form and emigrated so its not in my name. I'm not sure how to rectify that, especially as a vet trip would set him back a lot.

I'm more worried about him being stolen or hit by a car - or an air rifle by the little buggers on the estate - but he is so keen to go out I don't feel I can stop him. And it would mean I can have the doors open all summer!!

Doesn't he need injections every year? Especially if he is going to be out and about.

I don't know London. What do the boosters guard against? I'm not 100% on the injections every year for cats and dogs - all those I know don't have them and are perfectly healthy (they have the initial set of jabs) why do they need doing every year, unlike human ones for instance? (I genuinely don't know about it)

The jabs protect against mainly cat flu. There are about 3 or 4 vaccines in the one shot and I always ask for the FIV or FLV shot too. I cant remember what they are tbh.

I always get our cat done, I dont know if the jabs are slightly different each year like the human flu jab is or if cats immunity only lasts for a year but I know that if he got ill due to my negligence I would never forgive myself (neither would DH).

It costs about £50 a year to get our cat done, we go away and leave him in a FAB approved cattery so they wont take any animal not up to date with innoculations.

When your cat is out he is almost certain to meet other cats and fight to see who is dominant. Thats how some of the infections get passed on.

He might also get bite wounds, I've had cats before with abscesses due to bites and these required vet treatments, you cant leave nature to sort it out.

Is it going in a cat box that he dislikes or being in the vet practice?

It's the box. And the car (our vets is twenty minute drive away). He sheds, shakes and is traumatised for ages after

I might have a Google when I'm on my pc. It's like having kids again :-)

Do any vets near you do a call out service? they might charge more for it but anyway you look at it it's cheaper than treating him for diseases.

When you put him in the box how is he? does he struggle while your doing it? I have a really good way of doing it, a cat rescue lady taught me.

Do you have the microchip number or did the last owner keep it all? Name change would be by post with the microchip people, if you have the chip number.

I think the jabs also protect against feline leukemia. Friend's cat died of this (she did not have the jabs) and twas horrible.

Before you let cat out train him to come when you shake the cat biscuits. And don't let him out for too long at first.

Fluffy my friend is a vetinary nurse so will fb her about home visits. He's not so bad at getting in the box but then freaks put big time.

So far we've done little trips out last night and today. He doesn't go far, just round the garden really. He's happy enough and actually seems more content with being indoors no w its a choice.

Will look into the feline flu too.

Have to say was a lot less stressful not having to remind the kids to keep the back door closed!!