Letting new kitten outside

[happydays00]

I am a complete cat novice so please be gentle...

My parents had cats when I was growing up but since then we have only had dogs. We now have a kitten (exact age unknown as she was from a litter from a friends outdoor/farm cat). We estimate that she was about 8-10 weeks old when she came to us.

I know she will need jabs and microchipping before being allowed outside and I plan to have her neutered too but my question is really at what age, and after how long do you let them go outside.

She was terrified when she came to us (clearly had never been handled) but is an absolute sweetheart and after only a week with us she is already proving to be very playful and very cuddly. We live in the countryside and have a big garden so at some stage I would like her to be allowed outside it's really just a case of when..and how?

Ours is in the back garden at 3 months, she will go out front when she susses the cat flap, it is very quiet where we live though.

We've always worked on the basis of about 5 months to start supervised outside access (with unsupervised access shortly afterwards)

3 - 4 months they get their jabs and can then go outside.
We have a big garden and lots of open space round about. At first we were scared he would wander off and get lost but they don't! Cats are very savvy and he stayed close to the house at first, gradually becoming more adventurous.

Ours was about 5-6 months old. Kittens can be very optimistic about their abilities.

Also little kittens are snack sized.

Definitely never, ever before neutering! Especially a female cat who can come into season as early as four months of age and if that happens, she will be determined to get mated and end up too far from home.

In general, kittens are not at all aware of dangers and should ideally only have supervised outings until they are a fair bit older and a bit bigger so closer to 8-10 months really.

Our kitten is 5 months but not going out yet. I feel he will get himself into trouble, and doesnt assess risk well!

He is 3.7kgs so big for age but a bit naughty!

When I got my first cat as a kitten, the vet told me not to let him out until he was neutered.

We adopted our cat from the cats protection and had to promise to keep her in until she was neutered. It was hellish trying to keep her in, while letting the children in the garden! She was so quick and would sit and cry for us by the door.

She was neutered around 5 months and once her stitches were clear, out she went. First outing she was over the fence and was quite happy, they seem to just know where they live and I was amazed she found her own front door when she had gone out the back (link detached - she jumped all the back fences to the end of the row, walked round their house and back down the street, then cried to be let in the front door! I was amazed!

As for how- I used to carry our cat out briefly then bring her back in, then let her have a wander about (they don't go far at first) then bring her back in, then a bit longer/ further etc.

Just make sure when you bring the cat back in it's the same way they have to get in by themselves (ie- push them through the catflap!).

Pics! Where are the pics?!

Obviously don't let her out with a full belly, and ensure you have used litter to put outside if she does get lost, so she can smell home.

Thank you all! This is really helpful!

Trying to attach a pic now

She’s so cute!

Awwww!