What's a good age to start letting your kitten go outside on its own?

Question

I have a five-month old sister and brother who have recently been spayed and nuetered. They are inseparable and I figured they'd look after each other.

Answer 1

Hi Cad,

I don't think it's wrong or right to keep a cat indoors they should do as they please which is what mine do, Just because others have different opinions on wether or not your cat should be an indoor or outdoor cat or whatever, its your decision so take no notice, you do deserve your cats and im sure your a very responsible pet owner, I would make sure that all the kttens vaccinations are up to date and I would supervise your cats in the garden so they get used to the outdoorsy environment and if they dont like it obviously let them back in, personally I wouldnt let them out alone until they were about 4-5 month old, if you are really unsure consult your vet, Hope you have fun with your new kittens! Give them a hug from me! Have a nice day!

Regards,
Lotty.

Answer 2

I'm afraid that you cannot rely on them to take care of each other when they are outside. The decision whether to allow them outside or not is entirely yours, it depends upon how safe the local environment is. Where I live there is unfortunately a lot of poisoning, so my two cats are only allowed outside on a lead. This is an option that you can try as a happy compromise for both you and your kittens.

If you do decide to allow them outside, you must wait until at least a week after they have finished their first course of vaccinations. Once they are fully vaccinated and have become used to life in your house, you can start to let your kittens go outside. Choose a dry day (if possible) and a quiet time and accompany your kittens outside, allowing them to explore the new environment. Continue to accompany them until they are used to your garden and can find their way back to the house without difficulty. It is best not to leave your kittens outside alone for the first 4-6 months. Ideally you should also have them micro-chipped which will improve your chance of being reunited with them if they ever become lost.

Like Trickster_19, I'm from the UK where 90% of cats are indoor/outdoor pets and many of them live till their mid-teens and early twenties - even the feral ones! .

I expect a high number of thumbs down for even suggesting you allow your kittens outside, but at the end of the day the choice is entirely yours. Just do whatever makes your kittens and you happiest.

Answer 3

I wouldn't reccomend letting them outside for various reasons, especially if they happen to be declawed. They could get into toxic substance such as antifreeze, could get attacked by another animal that could kill them. They could get hit by a car (happened to my bf's dog and it had to be put to sleep due to extensive injuries). Inhumane people could mistreat or abuse it, I've heard of kittens tails being set on fire. Pets that are allowed to roam outside do have a much shorter life expectancy. The list is endless.

The only way I'd say it might be okay is if you have a fenced in yard so they can't wander, and so you can keep a close eye on them. If you must do this, just make sure they have all their proper vaccinations, and a regular flea treatment such as Revolution, which protects them from fleas, ear mites, heartworm, roundworm, ringworm and tapeworm. Good luck.

Answer 4

Never. There are so many dangers to doing this. Cats love warm places like in the engine of a car. Someone goes out to their car not knowing the animal is in there and well no gory details needed. There is also the risk of injury from other animals, the risk of getting hit by a car, risk of disease, Just to many risks to list. Please keep your kitty inside or supervise it until you can get them spayed and neutered at 6 months of age so they do not go looking for a mate. Still have the surgeries performed because they may be brother and sister, but instincts kick in and leads to inbreeding. Not good at all.
Luck to you,
Andrea

Answer 5

cats are not capable of "looking after each other".

It is NEVER safe letting them outside unless you have a properly secured cat area - I had one built next to my house with 2 x 4's and chicken wire - I prop open a window so they can come and go into it as they please (I shut the window at night so they are in at night) Therre is a door on one end so I can enter it...
You can build such a place next to your house or under a raised deck.

Or you can get a dog run and carry the cats to it, but thats awkward

dangers from going outside :
Cars (you may think they would know better, but there is always a first time for getting hit)
disease, fleas, worms
neighbours picking them up because they are a nucience
dogs, coyotes, other cats
kids, animal haters...
poison

etc....

in short its proven that indoor only cats way outlive indoor/outdoor cats

Answer 6

I wouldn't let them outside without your supervision. Once they get used to being outside only let them out when you are home. There are too many ways for cats to get in trouble and you need to round them up when there are baby birds leaving the nest around your house. My neighbor lets her cat roam all over the neighborhood night and day. My dog keeps the cat out of my yard but it doesn't stop the cat from going in the neighbors yards and getting their baby birds.

Answer 7

I'll stick my neck on the line and say I am a "horrendous" owner who allows her cats to roam. However, I will say first that it is more of a cultural norm in my country (UK) to allow cats to roam than it is say in the USA. And in my own case, I live down a quiet country road in a little village and my cats rarely stray further than my own back garden. Anyway, I don't have to justify myself so back to the question.

I think at 5 months old your cats are more than old enough to go outdoors. My youngest girl was out doing her own thing when she was 4 months old.

Answer 8

if you want tehm outside be careful they can watch each other play in the road and get killed by passing cars,or being attacked by other animals.
If they have been raised inside they will not have the "training" to live outside.
It's liek taking a wild animal and hand raising it and then release it and expect it to automatically know what to do.
so know or later doesn't make a difference it's a wait and see game to see if they would survive or not

Answer 9

Cats are proven to have longer, healthier lives if kept indoors. Unless you take the for leashed walks or put them on a yard lead while youre out with them, Id keep them indoors for health's/safety's sake.

Answer 10

My kittens didn't come out by me they broke a whole in my screen door and went outside by themselves so if i were u i would wait till they are ready to come out on their own and see everyday or so take your kitten outside and leave the door open and see if he/she comes in after u put your kitten down.