I'm going to join the world of cat owners!!!!

martin2345uk

My little bundle of fur asleep on my lap in a rather awkward position!

scaredy_cat

just think - 5 weeks ago you were worried Derek wouldn't come out from behind the tv unit! now look at him, solidifying his place as king!

ElusiveLucy

Looks like he's taken ownership of you!!!

gardengull

We can't get enough of the cute Derek photos on t'internet! So glad his adoption has worked out well for all of you.

martin2345uk

Well you may have seen in another thread that this weekend we went down south to a wedding... in the end I got my workmate to come in and feed Derek yesterday and today. Seemed to go ok, but when we got home, he had literally spread his dry food across the ENTIRE kitchen floor! Little git.

Well here he is like nothing happened






Okay... so... next weekend is THE weekend... we are going to let him out! I get nervous even thinking about it but cannae keep him in forever!

So any advice gratefully received...!!!! :eek:

scaredy_cat

don't feed him in the morning, let him out, stay with him and rattle the box to get him back.

martin2345uk

scaredy_cat wrote: »

don't feed him in the morning, let him out, stay with him and rattle the box to get him back.

Stay with him even if he scales the fence and roams the streets..?
Or just within the garden?

ava_adore

I let my Walter out after a couple of weeks inside, I sat at the front door, and just let him roam. Everyone does it differently I guess, but knowing how terrified I was to even let him out of my sight, the happiness he gets from roaming the garden trumps the anxiety (mostly).

What I've found is Walter doesn't go that far, he's had territory issues with other cats, so you might find that Derek has the same experience. All I've ever had to do to get Walter back in is to rattle a bag of Dreamies... I can hear the bell on his collar before I see him as he runs for his treats

Good luck with introducing Derek to the great outdoors, I hope it goes well.

rustyboy21

Hi Martin


Does he have a bell on his collar? If not try and fit one, at least you know what direction he is. Does he come to you when you shake the dry food yet? If not try it out a few days this week and get him used to it.

When Madame went out for the first time, I was the same as you. I was terrified that she would run off and never see her again. She pottered around and then went for the wall. I grabbed her and brought her back in. The next time she did the same and then disappeared over the wall. My heart was pounding thinking she wouldn't come back. I stayed outside for a good 1/2 hour and then called her and whistled, even the dry food shake. She eventually came back.

Now she has free rein, she will go out via the cat flap, but if you are in the kitchen, she refuses, you have to open the door. Last week I couldn't settle down as she was going out all night and nothing would bring her back in. I got up at 7 one morning to find her zonked out on the sofa in the lounge, whilst I hadn't slept all night ! My OH told me off, said she was happy here and will always come back. She must have found somewhere she could play or attack something. She also has a habit of running in at 100mph thinking she is getting chased, but no, she just likes making an entrance .:rotfl:

It has taken me a few nights getting used to it, but have been woken up out of a deep sleep with her whacking me in the face with my pillow, she gets her head underneath it and lifts it forcibly ! Just to get her breakfast ! lol:mad:

You will get used to him going out, have a play in the garden with him first time with some of his toys.

Just remember you are going to get little gifts brought in. If you are lucky it will be moths, if not, it will be mice either dead or still alive, and birds which may be still flapping about ! You have been warned !:rotfl:

scaredy_cat

martin2345uk wrote: »

Stay with him even if he scales the fence and roams the streets..?
Or just within the garden?

just in the garden.