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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

Am terrified of cats first time outside!

24 replies

ElspethFlashman · 31/08/2021 21:37

We've had our kitten 4 weeks now, he's 15 weeks old, so not a tiny baby or anything and he's starting to get restless cooped up in the house.

I was advised to keep him in for 6 weeks, but he's started to probe the house for any chance of going out.

The downstairs loo had its window open slightly and he slipped out. Thankfully I realised and he has very good recall so I was able to twig he was just under the car.

Then today the backdoor was open for 5 seconds and he slipped out between my legs. Again, we were able to get him back in within 5 mins.

But it looks like he's not going to be fully content in the house, he wants to explore outside. As it is, we are constantly checking he's still in the house!

I don't mind admitting I'm terrified of him going out. When I was growing up we had semi-feral outdoor cats and they lasted on average about 6 months before they were knocked down on the road. We live more rurally here but people can still drive quite fast past our house.

I'm going to stick it out for another 2 weeks but after that I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and give him some independence.

Any advice??

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 31/08/2021 21:47

If he's not neutered yet he should be kept in until he is

He's too young to be left to roam by himself too

Hellocatshome · 31/08/2021 21:51

I agree dont let him out until he is neutered if you actually want him to come back at night time. I would get a cat flap that can be locked so you can keep him in at night as that is when most car vs cat accidents happen. When he does go out, shake the dreamies packet or whatever you do to call him in at the same time every night. They quite quickly learn what time you do it and will therefore often be close by when you go to call him.

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 31/08/2021 22:01

Gosh I forgot about neutering, the vet said 6 months before that!

So if they're not neutered they don't come back??

Wow, it's going to be a loooooong 2 more months with him prowling around trying to get out!

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 31/08/2021 22:03

They should be neutered at 4 months. I'd find a vet that does it earlier

Hellocatshome · 31/08/2021 22:03

So if they're not neutered they don't come back??

Its not a definite that they won't come back but their territory will be a lot bigger than a neutered cat and if they catch scent of a female they will only have one thing on their mind and it won't be coming home. Also more likely to get in fights with other male cats.

dementedpixie · 31/08/2021 22:09

www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/find-a-vet This is a database that tells you about vets near you that will neuter from 4 months

dementedpixie · 31/08/2021 22:09

Mine got microchipped at the same time as they were neutered

Voice0fReason · 31/08/2021 22:17

I wouldn't let a 15 week old cat out. I waited until mine were at least 6 months before I let them out.
I would find more ways of entertaining him in the house. Cats love to play.

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 31/08/2021 22:18

Thanks but I'm not in the UK. The vet basically said "the bigger the testicle, the easier an op it is".

I could definitely ask them again though. Say he's trying to get outside. He's over 4 months now.

OP posts:

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 31/08/2021 22:19

He's not short of being entertained, as there are besotted kids in the house.

He seems to want to chew the grass!

OP posts:

Bargebill19 · 31/08/2021 22:21

Great advice above.

Long term thoughts- have you considered a catio. Lots of different type available if you google.
I have ‘house cats’ , they go out on a harness and lead. Long enough to play, but safe from drowning or becoming road kill.

Bargebill19 · 31/08/2021 22:22

Try growing grass in pots indoors.

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 31/08/2021 22:35

There was a thing called "cat grass" in the pet shop which you can buy in pots. Might give that a go.

Thanks for the advice. He's not going out until he's snipped!

OP posts:

KitKatKong · 31/08/2021 23:11

I got my rescue cat at 6 months and didn't let him out until 6 weeks had passed. He was terrified the first time and I was so worried too. However eventually it made him so happy and he became a much more confident cat. He has a routine now and never stays out all night and will jump on our window sill when he's ready to come in (pretty much same time every night). We don't have a cat flap so he's reliant on us. I do worry when I see him on the other side of the road but know being outside keeps him content especially now we have a baby!

icedcoffees · 01/09/2021 06:52

Even if he was neutered, four months is far too young to be letting them out to roam. They're still absolutely tiny at that age and you put them at real risk of getting hurt or lost.

Didicat · 01/09/2021 07:02

Agree with above 4 months too young to be out

Unmicrochipped if someone claims him as a stray no proof he is yours if he wanders off and someone decides to keep him.

shouldn’t be out if not neutered more likely to end up in fights/ chased by other cats (potentially into the road or other dangerous situations)

Plus if you are worried about him getting knocked over, cat proof your garden or build a catio what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him and it better for the local birds.

violetbunny · 01/09/2021 07:41

Agree, too young to be out.

They are pint sized at that age. They need to be big enough to defend themselves if needed, in case they encounter cat for instance. Ours got into plenty of scraps with other cats when they were first let out, as other cats had claimed our garden as their territory.

Also, must be neutered - there are enough unwanted kittens in the world without adding to the problem.

Ours started to go out from 6 months and we did it very gradually, taking them out on harnesses into the garden for short daily walks to familiarise them with the outdoors and the area around our house. They used to love walk time!

thisismyhill · 01/09/2021 07:43

My cat was desperate to get out so I got a cat lead and the kids used to take her to the garden. She didn't get out without it until after she had been neutered. We were just super careful with doors.

Choccyhobnob · 01/09/2021 08:39

About 15 years ago I used to take my little one out for walks in the garden on a harness and lead! He was never one to be content with staying in but we lived on a majorly busy B road so I was terrified. Sadly he did die on that road within a year but maybe consider the little harness if he wants to explore?

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 01/09/2021 09:59

Our road wouldn't be as busy as that, there could be 10 minutes between cars, but they do bomb along when they come and it's narrow. But I guess you can't do a whole lot to stop them going out on any road tbh.

We have an absolutely massive garden that can't be catproofed with loads of massive trees to climb. Cat paradise but fraught with anxiety for me!

Am definitely going to keep him in until 6 months. We actually have his boosters tomorrow at the vets so can book his snip then.

OP posts:

FleasInMyKnees · 01/09/2021 10:02

Can he go out with you on a harness in the garden, have you got a photo.

maofteens · 01/09/2021 18:54

I didn't get mine til 13 and 14 weeks and as the breeder had vaccinated them early i have to start that process again, so it will be another four weeks at least. But I will be getting them both neutered by six months so may wait - they do not show much interest in going out, though one sees the dog in the garden. They exercise a lot just chasing each other around and we also play with them, but I've always had in and outdoor cats. I'm hoping my neighbours will accept me catproofing their fence when I find a good system.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 01/09/2021 19:01

@ElspethFlashman - could you try a harness and lead for a while? He'd get to explore his garden safely and under supervision. Ignore the "let them get used to the harness" advice - crack open a door by an inch, slip harness over kitty and open the door. Cat's attention is diverted away from the harness and to the exciting outdoors. He'll also come to associate the harness with going out so it's less of a battle.

Oldraver · 01/09/2021 20:46

The last two kittens I had out on a harness for short spells and they loved sniffing around the garden.

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