Letting cat outside

[Symposium]

Hello! I had some great advice on here when I adopted my lovely boy 2 weeks ago. So hoping it's ok to ask for some more help! He's settling in really well and has been showing lots of interest in getting outside. I checked with the rescue and they said it would be ok to let him out now! Better than waiting until he's really frustrated. So tried this afternoon and he was initially very nervous. Went out and in again quite quickly a few times before starting to explore the garden. He then climbed up a tree a sat on the back wall ( 6foot up) for a bit. That's when I started to worry thinking what if he goes over but can't get back?! Am I being really daft? Cats can jump quite high can't they? It's just he used the tree on our side and there's no tree on the other side. Luckily he came back down for some dreamies this time. The garden is completely enclosed by 6 foot walls.

I am so pleased!!! I suppose he wandered I. Without a care in the world😂.

@Symposium Yay!!!!!

I used to have a cat flap that linked to my phone - so when I was at work during the day I could see the little monster’s coming and going.

she was in and out like a yo-yo. Maybe twenty times a day!

now she is five she has settled down a good bit. She goes to bed and sleeps with me but nips out for a wander at about 4am - then has zoomies and insists I get up at 5am!

you will get used to his habits.

I am still amazed they can find their way home. It really is strange that they go out into the world, have a great time but come back for their tea and cuddles🥰

Very pleased he's home. Don't worry - you will become blasé about this eventually.
'Is everyone in?' is commonly heard at bedtime in the Grumpy household, and it's not unusual for one or two of ours to be dirty stop outs.

What till he brings you gifts! I have had seven live mice in my bedroom in the last two months😂

No advice but….

1. What a star of an owner you are! Absolutely lovely & caring & he’s a very lucky boy to have such a wonderful person
2. he’s absolutely gorgeous & he looks so happy & relaxed!

I love posts like these, especially with pics!🐱

I heard some rustling whist I was sitting in the garden , it went on and off for about 10 minutes. Then he suddenly shot back over the wall to us and bolted into the house. He's had a lick e Lix and some wet food, although he only ate half. He's used his litter box and is now on his usual perch on the bedroom windowsill looking outside! He has still got his "hunting eyes" and seems very excited and also a bit skittish.

Have you considered cat proofing your garden to contain the cat on your own property?

How old is he?

We only have a very small garden , so I think it would be cruel to try and contain him in it. He's 2 and a half .

I have to say my cat would hate this and while
i know companies do this and I have heard it suggested on the internet I have never come across anyone in my area who does this.

Usually cats can get into the garden but not out. My main problem is a neighbourhood cat who bites my cat. He would be able to get into my garden if I cat proofed garden and my cat would be trapped with him😩.

I have considered a catio - but I also know my cat would that too. She is a very happy cat - and loves exploring, liking along the fences and. Climbing trees

So he’s used to being an outdoor cat then. I’d be inclined to keep him in a bit longer now.

😂 sounds like he had an amazing time - but is glad of the home comforts!

it will settle down - or this might just be his routine!

but he knows where home is and where he is safe!

I think I might keep him in tomorrow? Not sure my nerves can take this again so soon? Here's another pic just coz he's gorgeous.

Oh my heavens he is adorable! I would spend a bit of time with him in the garden tomorrow with the doors open - let him know he can go in and out of the house.

do you have a cat flap?

Glad he has come home! Sounds like he was having a great evening hunting. One of mine does this and is gone for hours in the evening. Just so you don't worry so much, I have actually looked for my cat and see him sitting for two straight hours staring into a compost heap or some overgrowth and not moving at all. Whilst being easily within earshot of me - they take no notice if they don't want to, and Dreamies are not as fun as mice!

I would never catproof my garden, even though I would have less to worry about. My cats just enjoy their lives so much, going out and about and exploring.

Yes, got a cat flap but he's not used one before. We are going out in the middle of the day tomorrow so thinking of just keeping him home then letting him out again on Monday when I can be around all day.

Just came here to see if there was any news and I was delighted to read your update. You must have been so relieved when he reappeared.
Good idea not to let him into the garden tomorrow if you'll be going out, just in case the naughty boy does another disappearing act.
Love the photos 😻

I'm not sure I would go down the road of keeping him in just because you won't be home all day - he clearly knows where home is and how to find his way back.

If he doesn't understand a cat flap then a little outdoors shelter with some food and water is always a good thing to have.

He will get used to the catflap very quickly.

when I moved house I did building work and my cat didn’t have a catflap for a year. It was a real nuisance.

but she got back into the swing of it very quickly. Loves having freedom and actually spends some time in the house knowing she can come and go as she pleases.

in the cold weather she really only leaves to pee in the back garden! She has a heated cat bed and that, combined with her tunnels, is the best thing I have bought her.

oh and she has a cat tree from omlete! She spends hours and hours in this!

https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/cat_products/freestyle-floor-to-ceiling-cat-tree-uk/

Fantastic news!!

like you say I would keep him I’m today especially if he hasn’t used the catflap

there also might be some turf wars in the early days. Nothing to worry about but he might like your support with a water pistol in the early days

Glad he's back!

Reminds me when I had my rescue girl for about a week, and she found her way into the chimney. I sat on my bed crying, thinking she was.lost forever up the chimney stack. Then I managed to shine a torch in to the side of the grate and the little wretch was just sat there silently ignoring my calls, tuna etc. The things they put us through!

The things they put us through!
Quite, @GreenPoppy !
@Symposium you have one gorgeous kitty there! Is his fur as soft as it looks? Do you have a name yet?

Well he's slept a lot today. He didn't ask to go out so we left him in and got back late afternoon. He still didn't seem bothered , just wanted food! He showed a bit of interest in the back door around 7pm but I just told him that it was far too late. He didn't seem too fussed! Thinking of letting him out in the morning before his breakfast in the hope he won't stay out too late?

Yes his fur is super soft. He's just a lovely fluff ball. His name is Pumpkin.