Indoor cat wanting to go out

[Carrotcakeforbreakfast]

Hi all

Just wanted a little advice with this
Our female 6 year old cat has always been a house cat. We decided on this as where we used to live was on an extremely busy road.
We have since moved and she stayed as an indoor cat as she seemed quite happy with this setup. Plus it was a building site for the first few months.

Recently, she keeps trying to dart out of the front door when we come in
Always the front door and not the back.
I have stopped her as I'm not sure how she would adjust to going outside after spending 6 years as an indoor cat.
Just wondered if anyone had ever done this?

We are considering cat proofing the garden to see if that satisfies the need to go out.
I'm so unsure what to do as I feel guilty that she wants to go out but at the same time anxious to let her out in case she gets hurt or doesn't come back.

Thank you.

Have you tried a harness OP? I do this with my two sphynx. they love chasing insects 😂

As long as she's not particularly anxious or aggressive you should get on fine with a harness. Even my timid (but headstrong) baby girl loves it.

I also bathe my cats, clean their ears with q tips and trim their nails so that combined with the harness walks probably makes me the animal abuser of the year by some peoples thinking 🤔😂

My old boys went out in my old house, but now we have moved it isnt safe.

As they're ancient they only really went out to pee etc anyway at this stage.

We bought netting etc from Protect-a-pet and installed it ourselves. So they can use the garden for fresh air etc but be safe. Tbf they're that old ow they dont really care, but it's nice to give them the option of fresh air etc.

Mine mostly just goes in the garden. It’s where he likes to sleep during the day, they don’t all go far.