When to let older kittens have full catflap freedom?

[Cutterbups]

Our cats have been using the cat flap since they recovered from being neutered at the beginning of January.

We lock it when we go to bed as they’re still young (7 months).
They’re really enjoying the garden and exploring.

When is a good time to leave the catflap unlocked for night times do you think?
I can’t remember when I did this with previous cat!

We keep ours in at night - safer for them with the higher risk of traffic accidents.

It's up to you really but at 7 months they're still babies. It depends where you live but I keep mine in at night because we live in a town and quite near a railway line and busy roads. I think the cats get more confident by the quiet roads at night and increase their territory. At the moment I have a 1.5 year old and her cat flap unlocks at 6:45am-4pm..I sometimes let her out again briefly in the early evening if it looks like her legs are crossed even though she does have an indoor litter tray not that she ever seems to use it these days.

We also keep our cat (and previous cat) in overnight. He can go out until we go to bed, then it’s beddy-bed for him too.

I agree that keeping it locked at night is the best option.

Call them in before dusk and kept in overnight. Reduces impact on the local wildlife and is safer for them.

They soon leave that overnight is the "big sleep" contained in a downstairs room with food and a litter tray.

My most persistent at complained for 3 weeks and we had to put to door handle upside down so she couldn't open it but after that peace was restored from our bedtime until morning.

One of mine used to clock watch from 9pm and by 10pm was demanding to be put to bed for the night 🫠🤷🏽‍♀️

Our boy is shut in the kitchen (also with food/litter tray/water/various bed options) overnight. Otherwise he is a very cute pest at about 5am.

Agree that they quickly learn the routine. Our wee fella will trot through himself either at audio cues like tooth brushing or hot water bottles, “beddy-bed” as an instruction, and put himself to bed. Our previous girl was the exact same.

Ours have never been allowed out overnight.

I personally would be keeping them in after their evening meal. It’s just not safe. Let them potter in and out during the day but I’d be locking them in at night especially at 7months old

I think we will continue to keep the catflap locked at night,especially during winter.

Thanks all.