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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Letting kitten out for the first time

38 replies

C1239 · 19/12/2019 22:33

We have had our kitten for 2 months now (she’s now 7 months old) , I know it’s probably time to start letting her out but I’m worried she will wonder for miles or get run over ... we live on a cul de sac but there is a road near by out the front, the back garden backs onto a field so I’m thinking it’s best to encourage her in and out of the back , but any tips of how to start the process?! Keeping a cat as an indoor cat is mean on the cat really isn’t it?

OP posts:

Exitstrategist · 20/12/2019 07:35

Put ours out In the morning for a little while. No interest. Keeps crying to be let back in!

Sooverthemill · 20/12/2019 07:36

My kitten is now almost 9 months, spayed and vaccinated and although we have 2 other adult cats I can't quite bring myself to let her go out yet. Our other cats were winter babies and so spring was a natural time to go out. I am going to try to keep her inside until the spring. She's very curious though and does sit at the cat flap and ask to go out but I tell her no she's not a big girl yet

GuppytheCat · 20/12/2019 08:12

Ours was a pragmatic decision really. With people, dogs and older cat nipping in and out all the time, I wanted to be sure that her first times outside were supervised rather than accidental, so I could be sure she knew her way back in.

Wolfiefan · 20/12/2019 08:17

@winesolveseverything are they neutered?

OP let them out first thing. No breakfast. That gives them lots of time to return before it gets dark. Start by playing in the garden with them.
I also get mine used to coming to their names or the rattle of treats. My last pair used to come to a whistle!!

Poppyfields21 · 20/12/2019 08:18

Indoor cats are just as happy as outdoor cats. If they’ve never been left to roam outside then how would they know what they’re missing out on? They just need a healthy diet and stimulation so they don’t get overweight or bored. I think the view that cats are independent and need to be allowed out to do their own thing is outdated, and quite frankly lazy ownership. Their chance of injury or death is so high and you would never do the same with a dog.

GuppytheCat · 20/12/2019 08:22

How would they know what they are missing out on?

Obsessively staring through the windows, in our case!

I partly agree, and my heart is in my mouth when she goes out. But our rescue will only rehome with access to the outdoors.

viccat · 20/12/2019 15:28

There's really no rush, especially this time of year when it's cold, wet, gets dark early, and fireworks will no doubt be going on for days either side of NYE.

Most RTAs happen to cats under a year old, and also when it's dark. They are also more at risk in general when young as they're just not savvy at all. I can't believe a PP is letting 13 week old kittens out, they are tiny at that age!!

If you're going to do it, then yes, always from the back of the house only and you should think of how your cat will get back into the home? Do you have a catflap in place? You don't want your cat to wander off and then come home to find a closed door and everyone out at work or something.

winesolveseverything · 20/12/2019 16:33

Wow, calm down...

Our vet has said it is fine for them to be having a run outside.... and given that our nearest neighbour is half a mile away, the back garden is secure and enclosed, they are supervised and only out for a max of 20 minutes a day with the door left open, I really don't think that much can go wrong... The only other creatures they are likely to bump into are the pet guinea pigs and the odd blackbird flying past...

It isn't as though I'm locking them out for the night in the middle of a city centre.... 🙄

teentree · 20/12/2019 20:09

@winesolveseverything

Ty didn't answer the questions - are they neutered?

Spinderellacutituponetime · 20/12/2019 20:38

@poppyfields I totally disagree. I think it's very odd to confine a cat indoors, you wouldn't do that with a dog or a child. We are so over cautious today. Most cats I am sure would prefer to roam free, wouldn't you given the choice: a life inside or a full life to go out and explore with some risks? What would you chose? Most rehoming charities will not rehome unless you have outdoor space and are prepared to let the cat have access to it... there is a reason for that. My cats practically live outdoors and have a lovely time pouncing at each other in the long grass. Yes, there always risks but equally my child could get run over by a bus but I still let him out. life is full of dangers and excitement. It's not lazy ownership to allow your animal the freedom to roam, I think the opposite actually.

Wolfiefan · 20/12/2019 20:38

So you haven’t neutered them then?

SantaBeckett · 21/12/2019 10:55

I have been wondering the same thing, I have a kitten he is about 3 months old, poor bugger has already had two homes ( this is his 3rd home) so I am not very sure of his age.
He has not been done, micro chipped and I presume not vac'd
So when all of the above are sorted I plan to let him out but I need him to come in on command, so I can go to work so I have been using some bells to attract his attention and give him a treat / food ( clicker training for cats ) I am hoping it will still work when he goes outside

Ozzie9523 · 21/12/2019 19:37

I think that’s a bit too young actually, we started with ours at about 10 months. Having said that one was killed by a car 13 days ago at the age of 3 ... please be careful Op. I’m so confused now, we still have two others and I’ve always thought it’s cruel to keep them inside. I’m looking into cat proofing our garden. Good luck with whatever you decide x

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