Letting cats outside.

kylieM_2

I had to do this, be prepared for a lot of poo on the floor.

Basically you really will need a cat flap. What I did was go out myself and leave the door open, I then called them from outside. They then slowly but surely made their way into the outside world. The first couple of times they were out for a couple of minutes before running back inside, but after that they would run around and go off to do their own thing. Cats have a built in clock so they will come back when it is feeding time. This was before I had a cat flap.

When I got the flap, I put them through it a few times inside and outside and they soon got the hang of it.

Don't worry they wont get lost if they are spayed. They will stay around somewhere in the area

asea

Thanks Kylie!

We already have a cat flap but she won't use it! We've tried the cajoling through the flap but she is not having any of it! Duke is happy to go through but she is a stubborn so & so.. We tried putting her food on the other side & some catnip but she just saw straight through it!!

How long did it take before they got used to going in & out?

kylieM_2

About a couple of weeks, they would cry outside the door to be let in, but they soon learned that they can get in themselves by going through the cat flap.

Really shove her through lol thats what I had to do for one of them

ashleyrossuk

when i was first introducing my cat to go outside. I put him in his cat carrier first and left him out side in it for a few minutes, he felt safe and secure and was able to have a look at the outside world, i gradually built up the time i left him out and moved the carrier around the garden.

I eventually left the carrier open and he would would then pop in and out.
I only took about a week to get him used to going outside (although i took him out a few times per day.

Kimberley

You may find the best time is in the summer because you can have your back door open all day and the cat will gradually explore, especially if you are in the garden as well. You will find a way that suits your cat.

redmel1621

Hi

We have two new cats male and female both around 1 1/2yrs old...We also have our 10mth old girl who we have had from 8wks, she goes out already so is what I am wondering is how long should we keep the new ones inside for.

Also with the new cats coming into the house our girl has hissed a few times at them - which i probably expected - but the new girl is also hissing at the boy..... The previous owner did say they had had a fight or two, but said they generally 'get on' ok. So much so that it might be possible that the girl is pregnant:eek:

I have read up a bit on pregnant cats, watched birthing videos, and read up on how to care for the kittens, so IF she is i feel prepared....

I know I have a lot on my hands here so advice is welcomed

Thanks
Mel x

basill

when we got our cat, he was older than yours but we thought about two weeks incarceration, with plenty of pilchards on tap so he knew his bread was buttery!
After about four days he found his way out through the top opening window in the kitchen, obviously couldn`t climb back in, but did return for pilchards when they were offered.

I think calling them by name when their grub is ready helps them learn to come when called. When they do go out first make sure they are a bit hungry so when you call they know their dinner is ready!

B

JoeyEmma

Not wanting to sound awful, but I would speak to your local vet. If the girl is pregnant but only in the early stages, they could still spay her. When I first heard about them doing this I was horrified, but as the cat sanctuary pointed out to me, they can't home the cats they have, and if each of the kittens in the litter goes on to have another litter and so on, the population gets even worse.

When you move house, they recommend that you keep your cat in for min of 3 weeks, so he gets used to his new territory.

If they are hissing at each other, try a Feliway plug in diffuser, which releases calming pheremones for the cats. It was invaluable when we introduced our 2 new kittens to older cat.

badmumof1

i help out the with the cat protection and i would strongly advise you seeking vets advice with referance to the female cat to see how far gone in the pregnancy she is and if everything is ok. if she isnt pregnant then get her done as we have so many unwanted cats and kittens its unreal at times.Also get the male cat checked out too cos not only will it stop him from spraying in the house it will help reduce unwanted kittens.
As for letting them out we recommend 6 weeks minimum and then use a harness on rope (not too long incase they jump over fence) so they can get used to the smells and noise in the garden.
i wouldnt worry too much about the hissing from the other one as i took in another rescue in october and i already had a 18 and half year old. they hissed but have settled in enough to play with eachother.

good luck

Sola

I've never managed to keep my new ones in for longer than a few days, and there haven't been any mishaps.