When to let me kitten out?

[neversleepagain]

We have a 5 month old kitten (he is getting neutered and microchipped next week, already had his vaccinations).

I have been reading up about how to let him in the garden etc but not sure when to actually let me out. Shall I wait until he's a bit older, around 7/8 months?

I always start off letting them out for 5 or 10 minutes before breakfast, so they're hungry and will come back in with a bit of breakfast bribery! I stay outside with them the first few times and then leave the back door open and hover about in the kitchen for a few more times after that. Then build it up from 5 mins alone with door shut and so on.

Starting as soon as the have recovered from the neuter surgery x

Oh gosh was I about to say the complete opposite of what Hope said.

I never let mine out when he's hungry, as he's more likely to stray - looking for food.

I feed him first and that way he rarely goes further than a few houses away, mostly cos he's too full up and lazy

I did the same as Hope.

I let mine out for very short bursts at that age, and I stayed in the garden with her. She is now eight months and she gets about an hour outside some days, if it’s not too cold. By summer I think I will let her out longer. I only let her out when I am home at the minute.

It's such a tough decision. My two are 11 and 7 months roughly and haven't been outside yet (they were strays though so had previously been outside before CP got them). So far they've shown no special interest in going outside so I don't know whether to keep them in or start letting them out.