Letting cats outside.

d900

open the door they probably wont care at first as they are cats and are looking for somewhere to warm to sleep.
once they do step outside just keep an eye on them and then if they go to far use the old "shake teh food box" to get them running back for a snack

Badger_Lady

Yeah - letting them out when they're hungry is a good tip, they won't go far from their meal ticket :-)

As long as they're used to their new home (which they should be by now), they will be keen to return to their own territory... but I understand your worries. Definitely start off letting them out for short periods, until you're comfortable that they will keep coming back.

When my cat moves to a new house (which he's done several times now), the first time he's let out properly he disappears and stays out for hours with me having no idea where he is. It gets me every time! But he's just exploring and establishing his environment. Once he's done his initial exploration, he's quite happy staying within his terrority - he never strays so far again.

darich

We let our cats outside last year after being house cats.

Let thm out at dinner time and let them explore the garden. When they start looking as though they're about to leave the garden, get the food out. They'll be hungry and come back in. The other plus point is that it helps to associate coming in with getting food and being comfortable. Our 2 cats come in and head straight for the food bowls every time even when not hungry - sometimes they just have a sniff.

A harness is good idea but the cats may not like it. Mine didn't but my gf's was ok with it. We eventually decided that it was too much hassle for them and too stressing forcing them into it.

If they're hungry they'll return. Then you can let them out half hour before feeding time, then an hour and gradually build it up.
Our 2 cats now come and go as they please and even when we can see or hear them or when they don't come running when we shout, we're not concerned because they always show up a little while later.

bulchy

If they've been housecats for 19 months, and are happy this way, I wouldnt let them out. We have 2 boys who go out, and I do nothing but worry about them. We have a female kitten and we are hoping she will be content to stay a house cat, she has tried to get out a few times, but seems too scared of the great outdoors, and we're hoping she stays this way.
Sue

Badger_Lady

I'm sure you do the best for your cats, bulchy, but it does seem mean to suggest keeping them in just to save your own stress. Most cats love the freedom of exploring their environment, even if they choose to keep it within the confines of their own garden.

They are independent creatures capable of looking after themselves, so unless there's a very real danger to them (such as busy roads), I would encourage every effort to introduce them to the outside. Sometimes we owners just have to learn to relax and trust them!

carli_h

I know what you mean Bulchy but I think that I just need to get over my concerns. My two always been facinated by the outside world and are very active cats they go mad for flies and if a leaf falls outside the window they mew for ages.

Badger_Lady you are right my two are love exploring and I feel the house doesn't give them the room they need.

I worry too much I suppose it's only because I care. My parents cat was an outdoor cat who came and went as she pleased and lived until she was 19yrs.

I will definitely let them out just before feeding. They both love their cat treats so I am sure that will work too.

Thanks for all your help everyone!

asea

I'm letting my little lady out for the first time this weekend and am very nervous! i think i will tie a piece of long string to her collar just in case!

~cleo~

i found it really hard the first time my cat went out but really at first he didnt go very far or stay out very long at all - and i always give him a couple of cat biscuits when he comes in

now is probably a good time to be letting them out as the weather is cold they wont stay out for long and by the time summer comes around they will be used to coming in and out

stamford

I hope you've trained these animals to use a litter tray so they don't go fouling neighbours gardens

pinkdiamond

i was terrified of letting my baby boy out as he is a ginger tom and i was sure he would wander off as he is very inquisitive. I trained him to go out from 6 months old, after he was neutured and vaccinated but only allowed him to go out while i was home. on his first trip out he was allowed out hungry ie before breakfast. i went out and sat with him in the garden with a box of treats. he explored everything and when he came back to me for reassurance he got a treat. it all went very well as he never went out of my eyesight and wanted to go in after about an hour. i think he was confident because i was out there with him. after that he was only allowed out if i was home and i used to leave the back door open to reassure him. as a result of this, he is now 2 years old and is never out for more than a couple of hours at a time despite having access to a catflap. he is certainly very homely for a ginger tom who i expected would be off romancing the neighbourhood! the harder bit was teaching him the catflap. he really did not get it for the first couple of months which is why i would advise being home when you let them out until you are confident they can get back in. I used to carry him to the back door and show him how to push the catflap or from the other side encourage him through with food which seems to be his biggest motivator.

you really musnt worry because i am sure they will not wander far since they have been housecats for so long.they are also smart enough to know a loving home and will probably be most concerned with how to get back to it rather than wandering off. that's why i think its best that you stay with them the whole time to reinforce it as a positive experience. if you have anymore questions pm me.