When can I let kitties outside?

missstropy

Have two lovely kittens and just wondering when I could let them go outside. There about 12-13 weeks old now and Ive had them indoors for a 4-5weeks.
They are desperate to go out and try escaping every time I open the back door but Im worried they will dissapear through the hedge into next doors. Both are crying at the window and just look fed up at not being allowed out. Would they come in on their own or should I stay outside with them for a bit and keep calling them so they can find their way back.

Never had kitties this little before always adopted older cats with a bit more sense!!!

~Chameleon~

Have they finished their vaccination course yet? It's usual to wait a week or two after the final injection before allowing them outside, and then it should be under close supervision initially whilst they explore this whole new world!

Sagz_2

Have they completed their vaccinations yet?

My two (about 4 months) have been going out with us for about 3 weeks now but haven't got up the courage to follow the adult cats out of the cat flap yet.... but it won't be long. I'm not going to rush things just let them choose to go out when they like.

Sagz_2

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Have they finished their vaccination course yet?

Snap! >

~Chameleon~

Norbertsmum wrote: »

Snap! >

:rotfl: GMTA!

frivolous_fay

Presumably they've had their two rounds of jabs?

We blocked all possible exits from our garden (gaps in fence, under gate) and let them out on a nice day under supervision, just following them around. They got into climbing the (smallish) trees and the fences as soon as they could.

They were very hesitant at first, particularly spooked by gusts of wind (cue kittens racing inside) and they didn't like rain at first, although now they'll sit under a tree rather than come in when it rains :rolleyes:

Once we knew they'd learned a few ground rules (next door's dog: ok to tease from buddleia, not ok to go into his garden) we unblocked the gaps (well, specifically the one under the gate) and let them come and go a bit more freely
(left back door open while at home and just made sure we knew roughly where they were)

My two have started to take more of an interest in the world outside the garden, which means going to the tiny scrap of woodland beyond the end of the garden, climbing a tree, and staying up there for hours :rolleyes: This does make me a bit anxious, so I try to only let them do this when they haven't eaten yet

Until they've been chipped I will continue to worry, but they seem to be more or less sensible, and they know where home is. We put the cat flap in a few weekends back and we're doing some preliminary training - 'Yes, you have to push it' whilst making sure they don't vanish into the darkness!

missstropy

Yes they are both up to date with jabs. They havent been snipped yet, have to wait a bit longer for that. But they are so desperate to explore.

Maybe I'll try in a minute when I hang out the washing and can keep an eye on them.

missstropy

Im just going to block all the gaps with an old wardrobe. garden will look like steptoes yard but who cares. Just want them to be safe.

~Chameleon~

missstropy wrote: »

They havent been snipped yet, have to wait a bit longer for that.

Are they boys or girls?

In either case they can be done at 6mths old, so start thinking about getting them booked in for mid-November, especially if they are girls or you will no doubt end up with litters of kittens by next February/March!

Even if they're boys still get them done then too as this will help prevent them wandering in search of girlies and getting into fights with the resident toms and running up huge vet bills for you

missstropy

Both boys.

Just had them out for 10mins. That was worse than taking kids out altogether.....They loved it. Werent to sure about walking on grass though.

Need more shelves and wood to block holes.

Prob worth a trip to b & q for chicken wire, be less stress for me worrying about what gaps I didnt get.

~Chameleon~

Sounds fun!!!!

Another tip I've just remembered ... only let them out before you feed them so they will return to you for food. If they go out on a full tummy they will likely go curl up and sleep somewhere leaving you panicking that they're missing