ow do i know my kitty is ready to go outside?

Question

i have a hyper one/two month old kitty that wants to go outside BAD. but im scared that if i do let him explore hge'll get lost and not know how to get home. i have a large yard. how do i know when he's ready and how can i train him to not leave the yard? thanks

Answer 1

Our cat is almost 12 years old, and has never been outside without her leash on. People think this is cruel, but since she is still around, it has obviously worked (most cats who are let out without a leash die a lot earlier). Just be sure to get her a harness rather than a collar. That way, she won't strangle herself, when jumping at the birds, or off of the stairs, etc. The best leash, is a long one, clipped to the clothes-line. That way kitty can have a nice area to romp around in. Good luck.

Answer 2

I've had two cats. In my experiences the best way is to start with a small space. If there's a way possible for you to block off a small part of your yard near the door that would be a good idea how to introduce your kitty. She'll get used to a small area and you can eventually expand it and she might not even want to go much further. If using physical blocks is impossible, make a loud noise when your kitten wanders off too far, like loudly clapping your hands or banging a lawn chair, or use a little splash of water. Then bring her inside. But everytime she stays in the designated area when you take her in, always give her a kitten treat or extra attention. One month to me seems very young and risky, but maybe the sooner the sooner he'll get the pattern and learn. Also never leave her out alone until you know he can be trusted. Start with ten minutes outside not much longer. Good luck

Answer 3

I am experienced with cats not kittens. But even and old cat will want to go outside, badly, as it is natural.
Has the kitty had all the shots?
If you cannot control the area where he will be roaming then you are asking for trouble.
You will never train him not to leave the yeard. Treating him well with regular meals and love will make him less likely to stray. There are a lot of people looking for cats and they disappear. See your vet and take advice, its worth a consultation.

Answer 4

Neuter him and he'll be less likely to run off. But the only guarantee that he won't leave is to keep him inside. Keeping cats inside will not hurt them. I have four cats who haven't been out since I brought them home. Two ten year olds, a three year old and a 14 month old. Only the little one still entertains thoughts of escaping, but even he will think again when he gets to the door and looks out.

Answer 5

Hi,
You can let your kitten go out side after it has had it's vaccinations. If you are worried about it running away or getting lost you can go outside with it for the first time just to watch over it. My cat has had a litter of kittens and since they were as old as 5 weeks they were out running about outside alone.

Answer 6

You should never lt your cat outside unless it is neutered, and there is still a danger. I'm the crazy cat lady that feeds 5 semi wild cats in my neighborhood. I captured each one of them(blood drawn..mine)and had them netured, It breaks my heart to see how they are so beat up sometimes when they come to eat.I've taken care of them for 4 years and the still don"t trust me.There are marauding cats in every neighborhood. Don't subject your kitten to this! KEEP IT INSIDE1

Answer 7

What I do is I go out with them - if they go where I don't want them to, I block them. It doesn't take too long for them to figure out what the boundaries are.

Don't let your cat out unsupervised, you'd be surprised how many hazards there are in your average back yard.

Answer 8

One decision every cat owner must make is whether or not their feline friend will be allowed outdoors. Many people feel that keeping their kitties indoors deprives them of a full life. However, one must consider that the average life span of a totally outdoor cat is about a year and a half, while a totally indoor cat is expected to live upwards of 15 years.

Aside from the obvious dangers of car fan belts and tires, toxic plants, dogs and cruel people, there are many hidden dangers to cats allowed outdoors. Life-threatening dangers include:

* Diseases for which we currently do not have vaccines for (Feline Aids),
or vaccines that are not reliably effective
(Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis).

* Heartworm. Yes, it is true that a cat can get heartworm, through mosquito bites. Shorthairs are at higher risk than longhairs.

* Antifreeze. Its sweet taste is irresistible to cats, and a cat who has walked through a small pool of antifreeze and cleans its paws has ingested a fatal dose.

* Skin cancer. Light colored kitties (especially white) are at risk for skin cancer of the ears due to exposure to direct sunlight.

* Hanging/choking. Those neat little cat collars which do not provide breakaway or stretch releases have killed many a cat.

* Fighting among outdoor kitties not only spreads disease, it can result in painful abscesses which require medical attention (an untreated abscess can kill a cat). Unaltered tom cats are prime candidates for such fighting, not to mention they will impregnate any and all receptive females they come upon.

* Toxoplasmosis. A single celled organism that cats can ingest while eating prey that has been exposed. Not only can it kill a cat, it is contagious to people and can result in severe birth defects to human babies whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Wearing rubber gloves while handling litter pan duties and gardening is highly recommended for pregnant women. Finding another home for your cherished pet is NOT necessary.

As if that is not enough food for thought, consider our wildlife. Cats kill many songbirds each year, plus rabbits, squirrels, mice, chipmunks, reptiles, etc. Most areas are not overrun with these creatures, and cats are not performing a necessary service by killing them.

Being neat creatures, cats bury their feces. It's not a lot of fun to be digging in your garden and get a handful of that! Not to mention that kitty excrement is not an effective fertilizer, or that your neighbor will probably not see the humor of their gardens being dug up and destroyed...

Non-life threatening things outdoor cats are exposed to can serve to make our human lives miserable also. Fleas, ticks and mites would just as soon bite you as they would the family pet, and getting them out of your home is expensive and time-consuming. These parasites can also carry life-threatening diseases. Kitties who come inside with motor oil or used chewing gum on their bodies and sit on your antique sofas cause quite a stir, also. Ringworm is sometimes contracted by a cat while outdoors digging in the dirt; this fungus is very contagious to humans.

Cats do not observe property lines by any means. To them, a fence is something to climb on, not a barrier. Your neighbor may not have a problem shooting, trapping or poisoning your family pet.

There are so many obvious benefits to keeping your cat indoors. Indoor cats are no lazier or less happy than their outdoor counterparts. Provide a window perch for them, put out a bird feeder for entertainment. There are so many toys available for cats now, both the interactive kind (a stick with a string with something fun on the end), and the toys that do not require human intervention. Avoid toys which have small parts that can come off and cause choking or gastrointestinal problems. A paper grocery bag will provide hours of entertainment for your kitty. A scratching post of some kind is a necessity.

An indoor/outdoor cat can easily be made a totally indoor cat with perseverance on your part. They may resent their confinement for a short time, but they will adjust. Another option is a safe outdoor enclosure. It must be carefully constructed, as you need to keep other animals OUT, as well as your cat in. Screen porches work well, too, just be sure to give the kitty some way to get back into your house if they need to.

Many cats live their entire lives without ever setting foot on grass. The difference in their life expectancy as well as quality of life speaks for itself.

Answer 9

I would get a litter box its easier and they train very easy to it. You cant train him/her not to leave the yard. it will want to explore.

Answer 10

I waited until after 4 months, just shortly after she and he were neutered/spayed & vaccinated. I never had a cat that didn't know where home was.