Confined kitties :(

crayola

Hi all
My poor cat and kitten are going crazy cooped up in the heat. I am absolutely dying to let them out, and think that life will be so much easier for them (and us) as soon as this happens. They have always scrapped a bit, but with the hot weather and the kitten growing every day they are now having full-on fights most days. We do our best to entertain them, but it's not always easy to keep an energetic kitten amused.

We know we can't let them out just yet: we've had both only three weeks, and while we could probably let Mum out fairly soon, the kitten is still only 11 weeks old. He hasn't yet been neutered or had all his vacs.

We have been told that the kitten should absolutely not go outside the house until September at the earliest, but I honestly don't think it's good for him to be indoors. When is the absolute earliest we could do it, and what have others done? I would ideally like to let the mother cat out at least from next week, but don't realistically see how this will happen without the kitten following or getting upset.

I always had cats growing up and don't recall my parents ever keeping them in for more than a month.

pigpen

i let mine out once they were recovered from being neutered.. usually they were about 5-6 months.

I'd possibly let the older one for a peak about while you are outside with her.

crayola

pigpen wrote: »

I'd possibly let the older one for a peak about while you are outside with her.

Thanks - in that case I guess September would be a liberal estimate then!

I'd love to let his mother out - she really needs a break, poor thing. At the moment her life seems to consist of trying to get to high enough areas that he can't jump on her face and pester her. But despite this they are close, and he would definitely follow.

Will be interested to hear if anyone has successfully let one cat out without the other making a break for it...

pigpen

I put kittens in a large dog crate and let my children and older mogs out.. but shutting them in a room would work.

Fire_Fox

Has the queen been spayed yet? She can fall pregnant again any time, she can still be feeding her kittens and not appear to have come into season. Once she is spayed she can be allowed out and so they will not be scrapping so much. Unneutered kittens are the most likely to go missing or get knocked down by a car, and again they can be fertile even before you realise. If either get into a fight or a 'bit of the other' or in contact with infected faeces they are risking all sorts of nasty diseases. Are either microchipped? What solo play realistic 'prey' or intelligence toys have you provided? Have you considered separating the two or deliberately providing mum with cosy safe high spots? Are you willing to cat proof your garden or build a run? Sorry to be cheeky but letting one out without another is the function of internal doors!

ETA: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3285162

crayola

Yes, the older cat is spayed and microchipped. Vacs all up-to-date. I think if it wasn't for the little 'un we'd be starting to let her out as of this week, no question. Am I naive in thinking she might be less likely to do a runner with junior at home, or might it actually work the other way(!)?

rising_from_the_ashes

Totally agree that the baby is far too young to be out!

Mine are never let out until after they're neutered - so around 6 months for me too.

Obviously jabs have been done too before that - make sure you get the "extra" one with FeLV one if they're going out.


Re the momma - do you know if she'd been used to going out before?

Fire_Fox

crayola wrote: »

Yes, the older cat is spayed and microchipped. Vacs all up-to-date. I think if it wasn't for the little 'un we'd be starting to let her out as of this week, no question. Am I naive in thinking she might be less likely to do a runner with junior at home, or might it actually work the other way(!)?

Could go either way. How much does she seem to love your home (laps, toys, food)? Have you tried a Feliway diffuser to chill them both out a little?

tizerbelle

Honestly, all my adult rescue cats have been allowed out within a week of rehoming them - never lost one. Even when we've moved house - they've all been out within 24 hours of arriving at the new house.

I would let mum cat out - do it early morning when it's quiet and she hasn't been fed - sit in the garden with a brew if you like just to keep an eye on her for a while.