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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

6 month old kitten ready to go outside!! Where to start?

10 replies

FMFL · 16/09/2019 15:13

Our kitten has now been spayed, microchipped, wormed, flea’d and is desperate to go outside. We’ve had her indoors for just over three months now. She can’t wait to go outside but I don’t know where to start and am so worried she won’t come home! She’s my baby Blush

I can’t cat proof my garden so I expect she’ll be out of it quite quickly. I’d love some tips on how to introduce her to the outdoors safely (and get her home again in one piece!) .

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 16/09/2019 15:54

Well it's going to be much easier if you have a cat flap. Do you have one?

Original poster
FMFL · 16/09/2019 15:54

OH yes forgot to mention cat flap! Yes we have a cat flap ready and waiting!

OP posts:
Windydaysuponus · 16/09/2019 15:57

Lots of recall using her name and a dry cat food box in the house.
Let her out before a meal so she is hungry and awaiting the rattle!!
Short garden visits with you.
Cat flap lessons probably needed!
2 person job and ability to shove needed!

thecatneuterer · 16/09/2019 16:19

Brilliant. I would tape the flap open during the day and let her discover it for herself. If she hasn't discovered it by mid afternoon each day then untape it as you don't really want her going out at night (certainly not yet and probably not at all).

When she discovers it then she will also understand how to come back. Eventually you can untape it and she should still use it.

Windydaysuponus · 16/09/2019 16:50

But you do know op we don't even really believe you have a gorgeous dkitten......

Original poster
FMFL · 16/09/2019 16:53

Oh goodness I forgot the rules! Thanks everyone for the advice!

6 month old kitten ready to go outside!! Where to start?
OP posts:
Windydaysuponus · 16/09/2019 17:43

Oo shadowy stripes!!
Gorgeous indeed!!

Shmithecat2 · 16/09/2019 17:47

Agree with pp, let her out hungry. I'd personally leave the door open for a while. Give her a few minutes, see if you can call her back inside, little treat, leave the door open and let her back outside. She's then learning where to return to. Good luck! It's quite an anxious time. I've never had a cat flap so can't really advise on training for one of those. Maybe keep it propped open for the first few times?

Shmithecat2 · 16/09/2019 17:48

Ps she is as cute as a box of buttons 😍

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/09/2019 20:28

Let her out on a coldish day on an empty stomach.

When she disappears into next doors garden try not to run upstairs and lean out the window Blush

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