How long to keep kitten indoors before letting out

[Gisellenextdoor]

Hello, we got a kitten 3 weeks ago. Just want to know how long do we need to keep her in before she goes out in the garden independently.

I let her out for about 10 mins today, she enjoyed to so much she started running away from me and definitely didn't want to come back in.

We don't have a flap, but we want her to explore the outdoors under supervision.

How old is the kitten? And has she had all her vaccinations?

I really wouldn't let her out until she has.

When I say independently I mean being outside for a couple of hours by herself while we are at home.

I'd get her spayed and vaccinated first.

She is just under 4 months and didn't have her vaccinations. I'm booking a VET appointment next week.

This. And microchipped.

As for we want her to explore the outdoors under supervision.... I'm afraid it doesn't work like that. She is a cat 😻

But don't worry too much. Just put a collar with a tag on her. She'll be fine!

www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/kitten/letting-your-kitten-outside-for-the-first-time/
How old does a kitten need to be to go outside?
If you’re planning to supervise your kitten at all times when they go outside, then, if you really wanted to, you could take them out once they’ve had all their vaccinations and microchip. However, if there’s any chance of your kitten getting away from you, or if you would like them to go out unsupervised, they need to be older and bigger, ideally at least six months old. By this time, they will also have been neutered.

Don’t let her out before she is vaccinated and spayed.

Honestly, if she goes out before she is spayed you will have a young cat that’s pregnant with her own kittens.

Talk to the vet at your appointment. They’ll say the same.

Where did she come from?

Of she's under 4 months I'd wait another month or so

We may have been overly cautious but with our cat we kept him in until he was neutered (last October), chipped, vaccinated etc. He was slowly introduced to the garden with supervision but didn't spend much time in the garden until spring as he really isn't a fan of wind or rain.🙄

Should have said he was 6 months when he was neutered.

She came from a family who had lots of cats and other pets. They were also going out freely and she was covered in flees, which I've sorted now.

I know I have to get the vaccinations sorted.

She seems very keen on going out, but yes, we will wait a bit longer.

After they're spayed, vaccinated, chipped and insured.

So a little while yet maybe.

Ours is nearly 5 months, vaccinated but not yet neutered. She's itching to get outside, we are all terrified

I know what you mean.

I've heard most people make neutering a priority when they hit their first season. I couldn't get mine down fast enough. The noise and shoving her arse in hour face is just too much!

How old are they when they have their first season? She's lost a tooth which the vet said was a sign of puberty. She's over 2kg so I'd be happy to get her done now but vet said she prefers to do nearer 6 months.

No arse in face to mention yet 😂

This. Please. I've seen cats as young as 4mo pregnant.

There's no need to wait for a first season with a cat.

Spayed and vaccinated before going out I’m afraid

Thank you for your answers.

I'd wait until she's fully vaccinated and spayed. I'd also make sure the garden is fully cat proof so she can't get out of it. I think it's a bit irresponsible letting cats free roam and play Russian roulette with the cars.

I keep mine in til they’re 6 months. We live on quite a busy residential road.

Oh yes.

My last little girl was 4.5 months old when I rescued her. And pregnant...

Once she's fully vaccinated, spayed and microchipped. It's also a good idea to wait until they're about 6-7 months so that they're physically big enough to get themselves out of trouble (fights with bigger cats, climbing fences etc) and not too small to get stuck in tight spaces.