Letting cat out

[ShadowKitten]

I'm nervous, next week my kitten will have been with us for a month. He's getting his vaccinations and so soon it will be time for him to be out and about.

So, tips on their first times out? I'm new to cat owning so any advice will be much apprieciated.

[alexgirl73]

Hi

Having just read your other thread about Shadow, I would first of all say he is waaaaay too young to go out yet :) Recommendations are that he's at least 4 months old, preferably 6 before you let them out.

When it does get to that time, it's best to take it slow. Take him into the garden with you, always make sure it's just before feeding time, that way he knows to come back in for dinner :lol:. The world is a big scary place to a wee kitten so take it nice and easy :)

[Velvet]

It's generally recommended that kittens are kept indoors until six months old, then you take them to the vet to be spayed/neutered and microchipped before you consider letting them outdoors x

[angieh]

I absolutely agree with Velvet - keep him inside or take him outside only on a harness and lead at least until he's been neutered. I used to take little Pip out in our garden when he was a kitten, sometimes with more success than others! He didn't much like the harness and lead, and was always better when Kizzy our adult female was with us but at least he was able to orientate himself and so when it came time to let him out free, he knew where he lived.

[ShadowKitten]

Well he's only 9 weeks old now getting his Vaccs in two weeks so i'll get a harness and get pictures :D

[fancyabrew]

+1 for waiting until 6 months. Can't quite remember how old Marmaduke was when we let him out, but we didn't get him done until he was 1yr.

[TiggerMoon]

I can definitely recommend the lead and harness route. I have taken Romeo out in the garden and he really enjoys exploring. I would advise that you practice in the house alot before hand to get him used to it and start off with a short lead and not a retractable one! We had a bad first experience with the retractable lead, but fortunately he has forgiven me!