I just adopted a kitten. We have had her for 1 week. She is now 11 1/2 weeks old. When is it safe to start letting her go outside? We have a 6 year old cat that is used to being able to go out the cat door. Since we have gotton the kitten that door remains locked. Any suggestions?
2006-07-23 09:42:51 · 15 answers · asked by erica k 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
My kitten has had all her shots, and has been fixed. Although many of you don't agree with letting your cats outside, I will. My 6 year old cat has been doing it for 4 years and I won't stop her now. Plus in order to keep my 2 year old daughter from getting into the litter box, I keep the box in the garage. Sometimes the garage is open and the cat may go out. I'm not forcing her to go out, but I don't want to have to guard the doors at all times. Thanks for everyones input.
2006-07-23 10:59:21 · update #1
Thanks to the people that actually answered my question and did not lecture me about letting my cat go outside. I have let her out now and she is just fine. Lady crotalus, I really don't appreciate you saying I don't give a damn about my cat. Next time maybe you should just mind your own business.
2006-07-27 08:37:08 · update #2
My kitten is about 10 weeks old and she just started going outside. We have a big back yard and she just likes to explore. With most kittens they will be curiouse what its like outside and if you let them go out ( but keep a close eye on them) most of them dont like it, expessially if they have been in the house for a long time. But the kittens that do like to be outside dont usually wonder. They stay out until it gets cold, or they get hungery. I think your kitten is ready to go outside.
2006-07-23 10:39:43 · answer #1 · answered by Britt*Brat 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your kitten is perfectly happy indoors, don't let it out- it's much safer for the kitten. Before you let the kitten outside, make sure it has a collar with ID tags with your phone number on it in case the kitten gets lost. It should also have a rabies vaccination and a distemper (cat cold- sneezing, running nose, goo around the eyes) vaccination. And if you don't want your kitten to have kittens, get her fixed because she is NOT too young to get pregnant.
But honestly, you will feel more at ease if your cat stays indoors where it is safe.
2006-07-23 10:22:41 · answer #2 · answered by Matty Lynn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you're sure any other stray cats won't bother the kitten much. I let my cats out when they were about 3 or 4 months old. It kind of really depends on how safe your backyard really is for the kitten.
2006-07-23 11:58:16 · answer #3 · answered by Jackie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Decide on how safe your neighbourhood is before deciding that he/she will be an outdoor cat, i.e. if there's a busy main road outside, keep her in. It's usually safer to let them out at night, when there are less cat hazards about, i.e. dogs, cars, human beings. Also GET YOUR CAT MICROCHIPPED.
2006-07-23 20:00:02 · answer #4 · answered by Strawberry_Lynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do yourself a favor and don't let cats outside. There is no reason for them to be out. To much can happen and a fence won't hold a cat in. they just jump over.
2006-07-23 10:17:16 · answer #5 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you live somewhere where it is ok to have a cat be outdoors. Maybe in the country or quiet neighborhood. Please don't let them out if they are in the city they could get sick or squished by car.
Keeping them indoors is best. But if you are going to let them out they should be at least a few months old like maybe 4-6.
2006-07-23 09:49:13 · answer #6 · answered by starlet_80 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would build a pen or some specific area where she can go for awile untill she gets used to being outside. Make sure you watch her and as she gets used to her surroundings she will stay around. Good Luck!
2006-07-23 10:01:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indoor cats live longer. If possible, do not let the kitten go out at all. There are too many hazards--cars, poison, rabid creatures, ticks, fleas, etc, etc.
2006-07-23 09:48:18 · answer #8 · answered by Karen W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as she has a safe yard where nothing will bother her, start letting her go outside as soon as she wants to. After a week, she knows she is HOME. And she will come inside as soon as she gets hungry.
2006-07-23 09:47:23 · answer #9 · answered by Mickey L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When your baby is fixed, has had all of it's shots, and has had a flee dip (bath), then you can let it outside.
2006-07-23 10:34:28 · answer #10 · answered by Andrea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋