Kitten can now go out

[pinkpixie83]

How do I go about letting her out to start with?

I'm waiting for a new cat flap so until that comes it will have to be me letting her in and out.
Do I leave my patio door open tomorrow for her to wander in and out or do I need to go out with her and show her around?

I would go out with her, try to make sure she has a good look round the garden, and scents it. It is the smell more than anything that will let her know it is her garden, and where she is meant to come back to. To begin with I would stay with her, short and often periods. Try and reward her for being called back indoors, so have some treats on hand. Depending on how she seems, you could shut the door but I would a very close eye on her. She may be tempted to venture out of the garden.

I would stay out with her. Five mins a couple of times a day is enough for the first few days. I started by holding dcat and letting him sniff the air, then when I put him down he took enormous strides - so funny to watch. A previous cat took a while to get used to the grass and wanted to be picked up right away.
As she gets more confident she might climb the nearest tree and you will panic. We tried to get dcat down for ages before going into the house and sure enough he got down by himself.
He does usually come when he is called, but often needs to be tempted with food or treats to actually get him in the house. You might be able to get yours to come by shaking the Dreamies packet.
Good luck!

Agree with what PPs have said.

Also taking a turn around the garden with her before meal times, so she's hungry, will give an extra incentive for her to stay close to home... But, unless you're home all day and able to leave patio door open, I would keep her in until the cat flap's installed, just in case she bolts, caused by a dog barking for example.

Shall the flap allow access to the same garden as the patio door? (presumably to your back garden?)

*... sorry, should have written I would keep her in until the cat flap's installed and she's confident using it.

The cat flap is going into my back door which is just slightly off the back garden, maybe I should be using that one to take her in and out.

I'm nervous about letting her out as there is a lot of cats about and she's still quite small, but she's 6 months and now recovered from her op so it is time.

Fingers crossed she loves us enough to always come home.

Personally, I would keep her in until a year old.

Agree with Little I would wait until she is one and more mature. Kittens are so small and can get themselves into silly situations that adult cats wouldn't. Also kittens are more appealing for other people to pinch.