Letting Kittens out for the first time.

[DeathMetalMum]

Kittens are now almost 8 months, neutered/spayed back in January. It was reccomend to wait until the weather was nicer to let them out for the first time and then with Coronavirus we decided to keep them in longer, but we are going to start letting them out in the garden.

I have two worries, db cat Jack v rarely meows, or even scratches at the doors inside. I know we are not at a stage where they will be outside for long periods but I'm worried about him being outside but not telling us he wants to come back in!

Also I need a flea treatment recommendation, we were going to sign up to a plan at the vets but they are currently closed so I need to buy online.

Picture as mandatory of dg cat Sally.

My vet lets me buy over the phone and then they either deliver or you can collect the treatment. Advantage is one you can buy OTC and is effective. You would also need a wormer too.

I used to go out with the kittens when we first let them outside.

Are those quick release collars? I dont put collars on my cats as they can be dangerous if the get caught on something

Yes quick release collars.

Would any vets do that? The original vets we had them spayed with were connected to the rescue the kittens were with, and not local - I am normally happy to travel but obviously not in the circumstances. Ok I'll make sure I pick up a wormer along with flea treatment.

Have they never seen a vet then? Even indoor cats should be getting flea treated as they can be brought into the house by the human residents. You need the weight of the cats for flea/worm treatment. Pets at home sells advantage I think

Do they want to go out?

Before I put mine out I trained them to come to call to me by calling them for food or treats using the same word repeatedly in a high pitched tone for a few weeks. Every treat. Every meal.

So every time they got fed they heard me make this racket! They know it means come to me and get food or dreamies.
They would come running from wherever they were in the house immediately.

That way I was able to let them out for a stroll in the garden and shout them back in after we’d all stood outside for a while. I repeated this multiple times allowing them to go further and further as I kinda knew where they were roughly. They would go off and roam and the minute I shouted I could hear them clattering and banging over dustbins and fences in other gardens to gallop back to me. Really handy to be able to do!

They are clever when it comes to easy food! They will get the hang of it in a matter of about two or three days. If you start now then if you see them about to do do something dangerous you can shout them back. Or can shout them in at night time for the night or get them back in time to take them to vets appointments or whatever. Or if they get lost you can walk the streets and shout for them.

Your cat looks lush 🐱 💕

Tbh I wouldn’t trust a quick release collar, mine managed to get through the cat flap with the elastic over his bottom fang, his front leg stuck in the collar on three legs.

He was a big cat but the collar hadn’t snapped open and we stopped using them after that.

Can I use a spot on wormer the same as the flea treatment? I guess I will need to apply them a few days apart?

Yes they have been to a vet they were spayed and neutered in January, but haven't been since. I have also weighed them.

I use a spot on wormer from the vet. I have to leave 1 week between using flea and wormer. Wormer also comes in tablet and liquid form (maybe granules too)

You can buy wormer and flea treatment online at Hyperdrug, its an animal pharmacy. We use the wormer is put on the skin because she won't take tablets. They should only need flea treatment every few months, ours never has fleas but we do treat her a couple of times a year. If they hunt and fight with other cats fleas are more of a problem.
Ours doesn't like to go in and out the door, she prefers the kitchen window, when she is sat on the window sill we know she wants to come in.
A cat flap in a garage or shed door is good as if they are out and you are not there to let them in they can escape other cats/bad weather etc

Stating the obvious alert.... cat flap?!