Starting to let the cat out

[Thirtyrock39]

For the observant ones it was my cat that managed to escape after a week and a half and now we've had her for nearly three weeks she is so desperate to go out - cries by the black door jumps at the handle etc etc - so I've started supervising her outside in back garden for short periods (20 minsish) when she's hungry so she is easy to call back
However she often jumps into the neighbours garden and can get back but it's sooo nerve wracking and I can't ever imagine just 'letting her out' I don't want to get a cat flap for a few months as I'd rather know when she is in and let her out when we are home
When did you start properly letting your adult cats out and how did you deal with the worry that they won't come back? I know officially it should be a month but I'd feel cruel as she is soooo keen to be out and so active (don't know how she copes being stuck in the cat rescue centre all that time )

Let her out to explore. She'll find her territory and she'll be back. She needs to get to know the area, find out where she can go without other cats or any dogs around.

I've had cats for 38 years, and all of them have been allowed to go out whenever they like. Never had a cat flap. I must say, though, that my cats have always stayed in at night - the last meal of the day had been at about 10pm, then they have been kept in.

It is far safer to teach her to use a cat flap - this way, if you let her out and she doesn't come back immediately and you have to go out, she will be able to get back in when she wants to. She is more likely to wander away if she can't get back into her home. Get a microchip activated one, and keep her in at night (the best cat flaps have various settings for letting the cat in only but not out again etc.)

We don't have a cat flap so our cats are either in or out (or demanding entrance by scratching the door). Having had cats for over 30 years I really don't worry about them at all - Basil is usually out overnight - always there in the morning. Sybil is more likely to stay in at night but it's her choice. I prefer to get the kittens in at night - but they did escape on one occasion - so stayed out. Their normal routine is to leave the house at 5.30 in the morning when I'm up and come back a few hours later for more breakfast - then they are in and out all day. I do understand people's fears but really believe cats are happier being allowed to do catty things when they want.
In terms of when to let them out - I moved house with my first cat (previously a stray that had adopted me) and intended to keep him in for a few weeks. First night he demanded to be let out at 2.00 in the morning. I tried reasoning with him to no avail so gave up & let him out. He was back at breakfast time demanding entry and food .
When we moved to our current house we kept the cats in for a few days before letting them out.

Following your thread with interest OP. My two are young so wanted to leave it a while, but Ollie has squeezed past me six times coming through the front door, he's so slim and quick, it's impossible to stop him, and then catching him is a nightmare, so we've just about decided it's better to let them have access to the back garden where at least he can explore in safety for a short while.

They easily hear me just getting pouches out and come, as they have one dry meal a day I've started shacking the bag before I serve, in the hope they'll come if close by.

My happy cat exploring the garden!

Our two kittens are just starting to go out, had cats before and never rememberd it being this nerve wracking