Releasing kittens into the great outdoors

[HaroldMeeker]

6 month old kittens, all now neutered and microchipped.

We've had them out in the garden with us a couple of times for 30 mins and they've been fascinated but cautious, running back in the open door whenever spooked.

I've never had kittens so don't know if we should now just let them explore on their own. We live in a village, with a garden between us and a wooded hill, and I plan only to have them free to come and go in daylight hours, keeping them in overnight.

Should I just let them explore?

Sorry, forgot my fee. This is last weekend, exploring whilst we supervised.

Yes it’s scary for you but they will love it. Be prepared for the mice. We kept them in an enclosed area for supervised outings for a week (large fenced veg patch) and they then went on their own. I would prefer it if they never went out but mine are orientalist cats and literally climb the curtains if they are kept in all day!

Get a cat flap and leave them to it. They will soon find their way.
You can get lockable cat flaps if you want to keep them in overnight that work with their microchips.

Let them out hungry for a few weeks. They won't go far!!
Our year old dkitten stays in the garden of her own choice. She is currently practicing going in /out past our ddogs!! Getting braver!!

Make sure they only go out when hungry….and one day they won’t come back for hours and you’ll be terrified, but you just have to keep the faith. They’ll turn up with a rabbit…or a sock.

Thanks. I'm hoping it'll all just smooth into place. Previous cats were very chilled and I'd forgotten the trepidation of letting them out for the first few weeks when we got them. One of these three has a real talent for getting herself into trouble but they've all proved to be competent climbers and descenders (my curtains will testify to that) and I'm hoping there won't be any tree incidents. I guess I'm just going to have to be brave and trust them. They're DESPERATE to go out now they've had a taste of it, and I dearly want them to experience all life has to offer, even the mice. We've had hunters in the past, so I'm pretty used to it, although one of the previous two preferred to bring in frogs, alive and hopping, to play with.

It’s like letting your child walk home from school that first time🤣

We’ve a 4 year old rescue we have just started to let out and it’s very stressful. She hasn’t been beyond the garden yet but won’t use the cat flap which is a pain.

Managed to tempt her though with tuna today but not a long term plan.

Hopefully yours will master the cat flap and come back frequently to tell you what they’ve been up to 🥰🤗

Mine took it very slowly and just gradually widened his circle. Unusually he was an only kitten and I wonder if it made him more cautious
He is 15 months old now and still doesn't go far

We've had all 3 out again in the garden for half an hour. Comfortingly, all 3 dashed straight back to the door when something spooked them. They all came in when treat packets were rustled, fortunately they're all very motivated by food! Now we need to teach them how to use the cat flap in the door....

That sounds positive.

Our Dcat is doing okay as well. The weather is terrible here today but she has gone out a few times but been back within minutes. The last time she came in, we could hear her activating the microchip cat flap so she’d obviously got pretty close but she wouldn’t go through it. When I opened the door she rushed in meowing loudly. I don’t think we were quick enough for her liking🤣🤣