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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

How do I get used to this?

28 replies

ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 16:48

So Freddie has now been with us for 6 weeks and we have started letting him into the garden. He is definitely an outdoor cat and loves being out. But I am terrified when he disappears out of sight and find myself going to fetch him from neighbours gardens.

I reeeeeally want to be relaxed about him going off for a wander but am scared he will get stuck somewhere (he's a crap climber) or get lost.....

Please can someone tell me this is normal and I'll get used to it!???!!!!

(Picture for cat tax!)

How do I get used to this?
OP posts:
WetBandits · 30/05/2024 16:49

I’d be more worried about someone stealing him as he’s gorgeous!

We put cat proof fencing up around the garden. One of mine knows how to get out of it but he’s savvy so I don’t mind. It’s enough to keep my cross-eyed, fluffbrained little cat contained, though!

Beautifulbythebay · 30/05/2024 16:50

Let him out before meals. He won't go too far then!!

Toddlerteaplease · 30/05/2024 17:01

Is he a Persian? He looks like a chinchilla. I wouldn't be letting him out without a tracker, or supervision.

TheHavanaCats · 30/05/2024 17:01

I know how you feel!

We've just started letting one of ours out and every time she went out of my sight I had a moderate fit 😆

We got a tracker for her, which has been brilliant. She only goes out when we are out too, or at least at the back of the house, because she won't use the cat flap yet.

Your cat is so gorgeous!

Breadcat24 · 30/05/2024 17:01

He is gorgeous and very stealable (is that a word) Can you cat proof/ catio

TheHavanaCats · 30/05/2024 17:02

Apparently Tiles work well too if you have an iPhone.

Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 17:09

@Toddlerteaplease yes he is a Chinchilla Persian. He's so lovely. I will definitely get a tracker I think. I wish I could supervise him all the time but when he jumps next door!

OP posts:
Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 17:11

@Breadcat24 I know - I didn't think of that when Battersea called! 🤦 Cat patio isn't possible and he clearly loves running around the garden chasing bugs. He gets so cross when I call him in!

OP posts:
Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 17:12

@TheHavanaCats glad I'm not the only one! I've not gone out with him out yet. Just given him a hour here and there while we are also pottering around the garden.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 30/05/2024 17:18

Persians really aren't bright enough to go out into the night wide world. They are usually pretty dim!

Toddlerteaplease · 30/05/2024 17:19

Is he a jumper? My first three were not. My latest two have been a surprise!

Elieza · 30/05/2024 17:24

What a beauty.

I'd suggest 6ft fencing all round the garden with a sizeable chicken wire or other wire type overhang inside the fence so he can't climb up.

Defo a tracker, AirTags are good. But it's the first thing a thief will remove.

Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 17:38

@Toddlerteaplease yes he's a jumper!!! And a very crap climber so he jumps onto the top of the fence and then can't get down!

OP posts:
Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 17:40

@Elieza we've got fences all around the garden and going to cat proof around the top of some of it but I suspect he will find a way!

Definitely going to get an airtag so I can see where he is. This cat is costing me a small fortune!!!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 30/05/2024 17:45

@ndo4000 unfortunately Persians are incredibly expensive little beasts. Make sure you have really good insurance. Mine have run up bills of £27k

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 30/05/2024 17:47

We have a new rescue (also six weeks in) and started letting him out for brief spells after about two and a half weeks. I took his litter tray and sprinkled the contents round different parts of the borders, let him out just before dinner time, and rewarded him on his return. Initially we did ten minutes at a time, and only with one of us with him, now we’re confident he knows where he lives and he does his own thing. We don’t have a cat flap so he only goes out when we’re home/up.

The first time I saw him vanish over a wall I ended up slightly mad with worry, but he came back the same route he went!

here he is on our shed roof 🐈

How do I get used to this?
Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 17:51

OMG @Toddlerteaplease !!!!! What happened to yours to need that much treatment?!

OP posts:
QueenCamilla · 30/05/2024 18:37

Nowhere I've lived (abroad or in numerous counties across the UK) did I see cats like that wandering about. Just like one wouldn't see a Sphynx trotting down the pavement. There is a reason they're not seen and whatever it is, it would make me get a catio or cat-proof the garden.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/05/2024 19:06

@ndo4000 loads of really random stuff!

Laurama91 · 30/05/2024 19:07

QueenCamilla · 30/05/2024 18:37

Nowhere I've lived (abroad or in numerous counties across the UK) did I see cats like that wandering about. Just like one wouldn't see a Sphynx trotting down the pavement. There is a reason they're not seen and whatever it is, it would make me get a catio or cat-proof the garden.

I've also never known people to let pedigree cats out to roam. I'd be worried that someone will take it

floppybit · 30/05/2024 19:10

Pedigree Siamese and British Short Hair on my street happily go outside with all the other cats, they would hate to be shut indoors. Hopefully you will find a way to keep him within the garden.

Original poster
ndo4000 · 30/05/2024 19:20

Thanks @floppybit ! That is reassuring! He was an outside cat before he went to Battersea and has been desperate to go out for the last 6 weeks!

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 30/05/2024 22:02

I would cat-proof the garden - it doesn't have to cost a fortune and it makes things so much less stressful!

BoldTealMoose · 31/05/2024 00:35

My advise is to firstly talk to your neighbours so they are can be helpful/aware/understanding as possible if and when you do have to go on a mission to locate him!
Secondly when you first start letting him out, be present with him until he does decide to go beyond the confines of your garden are etc. And be free as in not working or preoccupied whilst he's adventuring about for the first few times - stay in the garden area with a book and a cuppa, or even make use of that time to do some pottering around the garden. - This is will keep him aware that you're close by and will reassure him not to go awol out of pure rebellion or because he wants to just find out his surroundings without hindrance.

Lastly, when he decides to come back, come in, flirt with the idea of coming back - like paying you a visit and then running off again. - GIVE HIM LOTS OF PRAISE!! and a treat or two - this will start the learned behaviour of if he returns, he will be rewarded and then it will be indoctrinated with in him.

Not that going forward, he'd require treats every time....but whilst you are both testing the water so to speak - it will speed up the process. No brainer.

Oh and call him by him name lots outside, get him used to the location of your voice and will start to build a map of where things are in relation to his homestead.

Hope that all helps.

My advice is also NOT to cat proof your garden - waste of time and money. Not to mention cruel.

All the best darling!! Good luck!

x

TheHavanaCats · 31/05/2024 07:13

Oh yes - lots of Dreamies when they come in!
We have a special jar for them and she knows when I call her and shake the jar it's time to come home.