when can i let my kitten out?

Question

my kitten is 14 wks old and i was wonderin when i can let her out as i hate keepin her cooped up all day in my tiny flat thanks xxx

Answer 1

"Cooped up" is a relative term. No cat really needs a lot of space to be a happy cat. No kitten should be let outside until it has had all its shots and is spayed or neutered. A one year old cat is the equivalent to a 16 year old human. People nowadays know they can't let their children out without supervision and children can be made aware of dangers in the outside world - you can't do that for your kitten.

A mother cat trains her kittens to be careful in their territory which the mother cat knows well to ensure their greatest safety. You can not be there with your kitten and you do not know the dangers of the territory you live in (from the kitten's standpoint). If you are in an apartment complex there is a great deal of danger for the kitten from car traffic in and out of the complex and also on the streets.

If you still want to be sure you have a kitten when you come home from work every day - one that is not smashed by a car or lost somewhere you will keep her inside.

If you can't get another kitten to keep her company you can take her out with a halter and leash. That's the only way you can protect her from danger.

Answer 2

I got a kitten age 4 months old from a shelter. I kept him in the house for a time and he was OK. Then he wanted out, so I got a harness and leash and tried to train him indoors he hated it. Then I put it on and took him outside. He then loved the harness because he knew it meant he could go outside.

Then I put up a wire fence outside the door for him to romp. He was OK until he started to jump. When he was about 7 months old I got a collar with a phone number and took him outside with my supervision to check that he would not run off.

He stayed close to the house and now at age 9 months old he is very satisfied staying local.

I live in a rural area with no traffic problems, so you may want to consider your conditions, but please when you take your kitten out be right there with him for many times.

Answer 3

Please listen to me. Do not under any circumstances let her out.
A) Has she had all her relevant injections?
B) Has she been Neutered?
C) How many dogs live in your area?
D) How many cars and bikes are in your area?

There is so many dangers out there and im talikng from experience. About 4 weeks ao my 8 month old cat went outas usual and never returned, she had been killed by a car, who then got out and threw her in someone's garden. I was devastated and so was my little boy. Its not cruel to leve a cat indoors it's more cruel to let it out with all the dangers that surround her. She's only still a baby. If you want to have that cat till its about 17/18 years old maybe older then be kind o her a leave her indoors with plenty of toys and entertainment. xxx

Answer 4

You can let her out now but as soon as she shows signs of her first season-calling rolling oddly,a discharge etc,keep her in till she's spayed and recovered from the op.

Ignore the idiots saying to keep her in.They are confusing a cat with a dog or a child-Cats are far more independent than dogs and need freedom.In the UK it's looking like the new animal welfare law will make keeping cats confined indoors illegal too.

Before she goes out ensure she has a microchip and a collar with her name and your phone number attached.

Answer 5

She should have her jabs first, and to be honest, I'd accompany her outside anyway. Some people even take their cats out for walks on leads!

Whilst she's inside, make sure she gets good views from the windows - my OH had a cat but never opened up the blinds! (I changed that).

Any chance you could move to a house with a garden?

Answer 6

Hi, This is a good age for your kitten to go out, i would keep an eye on her though as she is still very young, don't let her stay out long because of her not being used yet to going out and as you know there are a lot of dangers out there, and kittens are so inquisitive.

Answer 7

Hi, before letting her outside make sure she is appropriately vaccinated! I also strongly recommend getting her microchipped for identification. Collars and tags are wonderful, but cats have a knack for losing them. Also keep in mind that between 4 and 6 months she is old enough to come into heat and get pregnant! PLEASE consider keeping her inside until she is spayed. The first few times you let her out, think about keeping her on a leash, just to make sure shes not going to get scared and bolt away from you. Give her time to get used to the outdoors before she is out there by herself
Normally for city cats I recommend keeping them inside, there are just so many dangerous things for cats out there (people, dogs, cars, etc.) Check around your neighborhood and see if its really safe for her out there:)

Answer 8

Never, If you love your kitten or cat you would never let it outside. Why would you take that chance of never seeing it again. They are Happy that they have a home, while so many cats will never have that kind of happiness. They don't feel like they are cooped up. They sleep alot anyways, and eat , and play a little.

Answer 9

i let my cats out side as soon as they knew their names but they were only out for short periods with me for the first couple of weeks just make sure you keep calling them back to you anyone who thinks a cat should be kept inside 24 7 is cruel how would they like it good luck with your kitten

Answer 10

You can let kittens outside as soon as they are walking confidently. Just make sure she can get back inside. And get a collar. Then your cat is ready to go outside.