Introducing a new adult cat to the outside

[GottaGetUp]

We have followed the advice to wait for 4-6 weeks before allowing our new rehomed cat outside. So I have just started letting her out for 10 then 20mins. The advice kinda runs out at that point, how does it progress from there? Just a couple of days then give full freedom? Or increase time slowly until you get bored of supervising?

She dashed out of a door of her own accord this morning, so I guess she is feeling confident. The back garden is fairly enclosed but the side of the house is open to the front so when she made her way around and I freaked out a bit and lured her back in.

I am a newbie cat owner and quite nervous, and I have got used to keeping her inside!

They'll be fine! It's worrying but it's nice to know that they're not stuck inside on such a lovely day! Do you have a cat flap?
My cat was a rescue and an indoor cat for years as my husband didn't want to let him out. One day he got out, went missing for about 5 days and then strolled back in. I convinced my husband to let him be an outdoor cat and he's never stayed out that long since.

If they are confident then let them lash at it 😊 we adopted a house cat who was 3 never stopped foot on grass. Took about 4 months but now regularly goes out

We have a cat flap which has been locked until now. I showed it to her after I brought her back in but she didn’t seem to get it.

So should I just open the door and let her go? Eek!

I'd go for letting her out when you're there and its daytime. Put the cat flap to "in only" so she can't get out at night but if she gets stuck out she can come in at anytime.

Next challenge is teaching her how to use the catflap!

You'll never get bored of supervising! With the catflap put a plate of her food the other side. Open the flap and sort of push her bottom out. My cat used to love sitting on the picnic blanket with me. Post a photo when you get time.

She’s very confident! Was off through the neighbours’ garden, over the road, onto another neighbour’s drive way.

I don’t like it! Will she come back if I just let her go? Is this what it feels like when your children leave home?! 😆

Through the neighbours’ garden and out the other side...

She’ll come back, you won’t rest till she does though. At least kids can carry mobiles.

Ours buggered off for 12 hours once, I rang the chip company on the verge of tears & they very nicely told me to give him a few more hours.

He came back smelling of old lady perfume.

Old lady perfume 😄

DH and I keep saying to each other - this is the whole point of cats. This is what they do.

We’re having trouble letting go 😄

Ha! We're the same. Adopted two older kittens last Sept. Finally got their insurance sorted yesterday so today DH let them out in the garden. He said it was worse than the kids' first day at school! He hovered over them until they went back inside.

I managed it! I opened the door and didn’t follow her out. She came back 5 minutes later . Headed out again after a snack though and has had a few solo expeditions through the day. And always came back