Letting cats outside.

SkintMonkey

Last Sunday we brought home two lovely little cats - one is 8 months (ish) and the other is 1 year old (ish). The youngest in particular is desperate to get outside and stretch his legs (he is bored with the kitchen and lounge already we think!) - am I right in thinking we should keep them in for another two weeks at least and then let them out gradually?

Has anyone got any good tips/advice?

lee8040

i heard it was 6 weeks you keep them indoors

taxi97w

I've had cats all my life. I leave them in for 2 weeks, then just before I let them out, put butter on their two front paws (have them in the kitchen for this), and as they lick off the butter it's supposed to give them a 'sense of grounding'. Then let them out to their hearts content. I've never lost one yet!

SkintMonkey

taxi97w wrote: »

I've had cats all my life. I leave them in for 2 weeks, then just before I let them out, put butter on their two front paws (have them in the kitchen for this), and as they lick off the butter it's supposed to give them a 'sense of grounding'. Then let them out to their hearts content. I've never lost one yet!

Thanks, we'll try the butter thing, I had heard about it before but never fully understood the purpose. I can't wait to let them out and I know they will love the garden when they finally get out there.

ashleyrossuk

I am in a similar situation, with two new cats, i was going to get them a harness each and take them for a walk each day for three weeks.

Is this a good idea or have i lost the plot????

Justie

try letting them out just before a meal time that way they're more likely to come back - they probably won't go far the first time so go out with them and potter round the garden a bit.

Jarvisma

ashleyrossuk wrote: »

I am in a similar situation, with two new cats, i was going to get them a harness each and take them for a walk each day for three weeks.

Is this a good idea or have i lost the plot????

Probably a good idea in theory but good luck trying to get them on! I think my cats would have the feline equivalent of an epileptic fit if I tried anything like that!

Seriosly though, I have two cats one now 10yrs and the other approx 6 yrs and I have probably moved house about 7 or 8 times with the older one.

I always keep him in for at least a few days, then when he's going stir crazy, let him out (as the ap has said) about 1/2 hour before he usually gets fed and I actually go out with him.

Try and do it early in the day so that if he does go walk about it doesn't get dark quickly, and even if he isn't in eyesight, go out every now and again and call him, just so he can hear your voice.

My cat's an angel, he comes in bang on time at bed time and if I call him he happily comes trotting in

little_bear_3

our cats are house cats but do like to wander outdoors in summer if we are out, when we moved house I was worried that if jefferson jumped the fence I would lose him! So i got a harness for him :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: well talk about entertainment................the other cats watched in amazement as i tried to get it on him then when we got outside he just lay on it and refused to get up :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: he did get used to it and ventured round after a while and it gave him chance to wander round his new garden. it is a nervous time letting them out at first, try doing it before you feed them and then they have a good excuse to come home for food and cuddles Good luck

Cat72

I found a stray cat at christmass but im having reall problems letting him out.I waited till the weather has been better ( plus he was ill when we first got him so didnt want to let him out too soon ).However he is a total nightmare when i let him out- never responds to his name and keeps legging it over a few neighbours gardens .So far I have only been able to let him out for 10 minutes before he does the great escape ! I really need to let him out as he is a huge cat and needs the exercise but once he is outside he never responds to his name or acknowleges me so im terrifed he will get lost again .As he was at deaths door when I got him I dont want him to go through this suffering again but hes totally crazy once he is out ! I have three other cats- one is a housecat and the other two are darlings when they are out and follow me around when they see me.If only I coud get him to be soo good.Any help would be appreciated !

kr15snw

ashleyrossuk wrote: »

I am in a similar situation, with two new cats, i was going to get them a harness each and take them for a walk each day for three weeks.

Is this a good idea or have i lost the plot????

Nope you havent. Our cat is a house cat but she got upset that the dogs could go out for a walk and she couldnt. So we bought her a harness and now she goes on walks with the dogs every day. Its so cute

stamford

SkintMonkey wrote: »

Last Sunday we brought home two lovely little cats - one is 8 months (ish) and the other is 1 year old (ish). The youngest in particular is desperate to get outside and stretch his legs (he is bored with the kitchen and lounge already we think!) - am I right in thinking we should keep them in for another two weeks at least and then let them out gradually?

Has anyone got any good tips/advice?

Don't let them use your neighbours gardens as toilets :mad: