How long it keep a formerly feral cat in?

[MinnieMountain]

We adopted a lovely 6 month old female from the RSPCA 5 weeks ago.

Because she was feral for the first 3 months of her life, we have been advised to keep her in for 6 weeks after bringing her home. 6 weeks is up on Saturday and the poor thing is desperate to go outside so I’m wondering if it would be okay to let her out a bit early. She’s taken to us very well and she’s very food-motivated.

Has anyone had experience of a young feral cat?

Obligatory photo of cat.

What a cutie!

I doubt a couple of days would make THAT much difference, as she was only 3 months when she was rescued. Mine had been feral until they were a full year old as far as we could tell, so I was asked to keep them as indoor only - both were very happy as indoor, and as it turned out Boycat was sooo thick he wouldn't have survived 5 minutes in my own garden!

Have you tried to harness train her yet? If you have, then the first few times on a harness will give you a good idea. Also as ex ferals may be tempted to wander further, would you be able to get your garden cat proofed?

If you do let her out now, make sure she's "trained" to the sound of the Dreamies packet rustling, plus let her out only a short while before she's due a meal.

What about a small tracker for her just in case she goes off ?

Mine is 3 (looks like a big version of yours) and been off the streets since Dec last year. He doesn’t freely go outside, he has supervised garden access but doesn’t have access to cat flap etc. he has enrichment toys etc. yes he looks out the window as he’s so nosey and also watches the birds. But he seems happy enough, he escaped twice and I really questioned how he survived on the streets 🤣 It seemed like a good idea escaping but both times I found him he looked absolutely petrified. What makes you say she’s desperate to go out? Personally I wouldn’t be letting her out there’s still fireworks going off etc.

Show her around slowly? I did it with my cats on a lead for a week, could show them around and how to get home. Worked a dream, even if it a, took ages because they sniffed every blade of grass and b, got some very odd looks! They both actually liked being with me and I went out with them longer, but without a lead and they always came back with me after a walk.

She should be ok to go out, perhaps take her in the garden if not eaten for a while and sit with her for a bit, then call her back in for food? Gorgeous cat btw!

Edited to add, please keep her in at night until she is bigger and older. Foxes will go for kittens and at 7 months she's still a little small.