I have an indoor kitten, she wants to go outside, I'm afraid she won't come back, any suggestions?

Question

I let her in the front yard supervised, of course, but I don't let her go for very long or too far, she will be spayed next week, and I want her to enjoy being outdoors, alone, but I'm afraid she won't come back in...

Answer 1

Most of my cats are indoor/outdoor cats. When the kittens got to be at least 8 weeks old, I started taking them outside every evening for at least 30 minutes, supervised.

The thing I was most scared of was them getting in the road and getting run over. They never went near the road.

I did supervised play for at least a month. When I seen they were staying away from the road, I finally let them go out by themselves. I would go check on them every 15 minutes or so. Just like a child.

They never attempt to run away. I also live in the country so they are not bothering other people either.

If she is being fed and loved, I think she will always come back to you. I've never had a cat go outside and never come back.

So many people never let their cats go outside and I feel so sorry for them. If you don't want them to be alone, supervising your cat outside shouldn't be so difficult if you really care about your cat.

Reading many postings, people think your cat should never be outside. I'm in the minority, but I think it's cruel to deprive them of ever getting out of the house and experiencing the outdoors. Would you like to be cooped up in the house all your life and never experience the outdoors and sunshine? I doubt it.

Answer 2

To all those who say letting their cats run free is okay, take a minute to consider your neighbors. Let me put it this way, for those coming to my home first impressions are BAD. WHY? My front porch smells like cat pi$$, and I don't even have a cat. If I can't let my dog run around the neighborhood why should someone allow a cat to do so? I don't think these people realize the damage cats can do. I've spoken with the pound and they say they will write one anonymous warning to the owners, but any further complaints and they have to release your identity. That ain't gonna happen. My hubby now has a pellet gun at the ready, it might just be one dead cat. So, if you love your kitty, and respect your neighbors, keep her inside!

Answer 3

How long have you had her? If she is a new pet, let her stay out for longer periods each time. Provide her with love and attention when she is with you in the house. That and a steady diet that she can only reach by going inside will help to insure that she comes home. There is no sure way of making sure a free roaming cat comes back though. Get her micro-chipped, that way if she does become lost or is picked up by animal control, she can be returned to the proper home. I do not recommend a collar. Cats tend to squeeze into small spaces and a collar can get hung up and strangle them. If you insist on one, get one specifically designed for cats. They break away when they become stuck and are pulled on too hard preventing injury to your pet.

Answer 4

i could advise which you undertake a sparkling kitten from an area (healthful) humane society. they'll deworm and supply the 1st vaccines for you. in spite of if it is often cautioned which you're taking your new kitten to the vet as quickly as possible to get him/her checked over as to capture any problems quicker extremely than later. elevating a kitten would not take extremely some attempt! i've got continuously had extra perfect success with men being extra friendly and sociable than lady cats. to not point out it is lots extra low priced to get men fastened! you should neuter your kitten approximately 5-6 months previous. some places permit you to understand to try this lots quicker, yet i does not reccomend it. it is a extremely secure proceedure yet I extremely have in no way enjoyed the belief of putting animals that youthful under anesthesia. once you bypass to the humane society, hit upon a already friendly cat and then as long as you spend extremely some high quality time with him, you shouldn't have any problems. the 1st issues i could positioned money into different than Veterinarian centers are toys, litterboxes, nutrition dishes and clearly nutrition ^.^ - a extra physically powerful high quality kitten nutrition is what you should initiate out with exceptionally in case you do not understand what the humane society became feeding. Someing like Iams, technological expertise eating regimen or Purina will additionally do. Cats are extremely exceptionally much less extreme priced animals to preserve. they don't prefer you 24/7 and are extremely happy on my own while you're at artwork or college. in case you prefer an indoor cat, i could propose getting the front ft declawed (mutually as being neutered) to avert and arguments between the two certainly one of you. - Cats do not *prefer* to bypass outdoors, yet they useful do get excitement from it. you should even get your self a medium sized outdoors playpen for cats. That way you understand they are secure and that they nevertheless get the savor observing birds and critters around them. yet an open window interior will healthful them in simple terms fantastic too ^.^

Answer 5

so what you're saying is that it matters more to you that kitty gets some alone time outside? Never-mind that kitty could get beat up by another cat, attacked by a cat-hating dog, run over, mistreated by neighbors............that what I'm getting here? I have two cats that I've had since they were very little babies and they've been outside about 4-5 times in 2 1/2 years, why that many? 1 attacks other cats through the screens and falls out and the other got attacked through the screen and fell out.......I've built up places in the house for them to climb and gotten all kinds of toys for them to play with..........I would NEVER willingly risk my cats by giving them some "alone time outside"

Answer 6

We feed our cats inside the house, near the back door. They go outside often. If we don't want them outside for a long time, we only let them out before we feed them. When they are hungry, they come back inside. Once they are fed for the evening, we don't let them back outside.

Another thing - whenever I feed our cats, I gently tap the edges of the saucers together before I put the food down for them. This teaches them to associate the sound with food. If they are outside and I want them in, I tap the saucers together on the back deck. When they here that, more often than not they come running, especially if they are hungry.

Answer 7

Once she's spayed & had her shots she will enjoy being outside. But always on a harness & lead. It takes a split second for them to have a scare & take off running, maybe into the street. Protect your little baby as best you can.

Answer 8

I have four indoor cats who go out on supervised outings frequently - let her play within your sight - she deserves and needs to be out in the sun. Also should be ok if she eats the grass too! It's good for her as well.

Answer 9

I think the same rules should apply to cats as dogs. Take her out on a leash. As a dog owner, I have to say I think it's in her best interest for you to be with her when she goes out. They do sell collars and leashes for cats. For one thing, if there are any dogs around, she could easily be attacked. She could also be run over. A lot of people just let their cats out, but I think it's a bad idea. If you care about your cat, go with her.

Answer 10

If she's OK just with going out with you, don't mess with success!

Going outside presents many dangers, and by taking her out like you do, you give her a chance to enjoy being outside while minimizing the danger. That's the best of both worlds - why change it?!