My 4 and a half month old kitten doesnt come to me when i let him outside?

Question

I am scared to let him out incase he doesnt come back. He doesnt come to me when i call him and i live next to lots of lanes that lead everywhere and he doesnt know his way around the area yet as i only moved there a month ago and hes not really been out

Answer 1

don't let him out

Answer 2

What you need to do is on a warm day (good weather coming in the UK for the next few days!) is to leave the door open. Your kitten won't stray far from the door, perhaps just sticking his head out before running back indoors. He will gradually build up to wandering out a few feet and further and further as he gets older and more confident.

On the other hand he may run out and hide under the nearest bush. This is why you need to keep the door open, so he knows he can wander back accross that scary expanse between him and the house and get back in!

He won't wander far and when he wants to come in he will come when you call him. Don't expect him to come if he doesn't want to come in though!

Also, when he is old enough get him neutered - I lost a cat to Aids when he was just three years old, probably as a result of him being more inclined to fight with him not having been neutered.

Answer 3

I have a ten month old kitten and two year old cat. I asked my Vet about letting the kitten outside and he said definately dont let the kitten outside unsupervised until it is at least six months old, and then to be on the safe side one year unsupervised. Kittens are like little kids before 6 months to a year and are too small to defend themselves properly against dogs, horrible people etc. My kitten gets really excited when she goes outside and dosent answer my calls because there is so much fun stuff outside. She even tries to get me to play catch her and runs away when I try to pick her up. So I'd say let her out only when you are watching her until she's a little bit older and you can monitor when you think she's old enough to look after herself in the big bad world. The best thing to do if your kitten does get lost is to have a good quality collar with a tag with your address and phone number on it. Just in case he gets lost the person that finds him will know how to get in contact with you. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

put a collar on him - that might help if in the worst case scario of him going missing occurs.

Some countries its essential that the kittens have a chip in them in the case that they go missing..

What happened with my cats was that they had favourite biscuits - and when the biscuit box was shaken then the kittens would come running! maybe try something like that?

I have moved alot of times with my cats, and most cats do not journey so far that they get lost..

there is special harnesses for those extreme people who can take their cats a walk around the garden to get them used to it! so if that takes your interest then most pet shops should sell it!

In time the cat will get used to the surrounding area..just keep an eye on him for the first few times..

and to all those people above...cats are natural hunters..they need to be outside...my cats are 20 years old! (both of them!) they will be 21 in December...

We have kept them healthy by giving them little food and let them outside alot - 1)it encourages them to hunt which gives them exercise 2)overfeeding gives cats terrible problems (both my cats only got 1/4 of a can per day mixed with some biscuits to share between the both of them)...some people have argued that its not enough - but no offence to them but my cats are extremely healthy and the vet says they have at least another few years left! not bad for 20 year old cats :P

Dont keep the cat inside, its cruel. Cats are supposed to be outside. We always let our cats out at night and let them come in the house during the day.. we never had catflaps as we didnt want any little "presents" in the house!

The cat will learn over time, - but maybe the biscuit trick I suggested earlier would help for the beginning?

Hope this has helped a bit! good luck! :)

Answer 5

Cats are not like dogs so don't expect him to come to you unless you've conditioned him with a bribe (food treat) besides that....

DON'T let the cat out, especially if you live in an area where his roaming will lead him to traffic areas...you are running the risk of loosing your pet. Cats can live very happy contented lives if kept indoors....there are too many dangers outside that can rob you of your four legged companion...why risk his life? If he hasn't been neutered do it soon as it will stop his biological need for wandering and prevent his spraying (all unaltered cats, male and female will spray). Give lots of love and attention during his waking hours, consider a second cat as a companion for him...do not endanger his life by letting him out....

Answer 6

this is what i have done with my kittens who are 5 and 6 months. They are fed on a mainly dry-food diet, but at 8 every night they get their daily meat. So i can guarantee that at the same time every day they will come wandering back home for their portion of fresh meat. But they are lucky aswell as i leave the back door ajar for them to come and go as they please. All i can say is keep him in at night as it is not safe for them to be out after dark. We make sure our kitties are kept in after their meaty meal....its worked so far

Answer 7

ok, firstly i wouldn't let your kitten out just yet. you need to start off in the house trying to get the kitten to come to his name. basically the easiest way to do this is to wait for your kitten to come over to you, say his name, and then give him a treat. he will soon learn that when you call his name and he comes to you, he gets a treat. build up the distance he has to travel to get to you gradually, ie start with him sitting a little way away from you and build up to when you can call him from other rooms. once you are sure he will come when called you can think about letting him out.

secondly, whenever i move i never let my cats out for at least 6 weeks so that they know that this is their new home. when i do let them out the first time i do it before a meal time so they are hungry and not likely to wander too far, and to come back when i yell them that their dinner is ready!!

also, you need to make sure your cat has had all its jabs and is neutered before you let it out.

Answer 8

Has he had his jabs yet? I assume so...

You're meant to smear some butter on their front paws when they are just outside the back door. Then they sit there and lick it off and remember the place.

Cats rarely come when you call them. Get a cat-flap.

Additional:
Jeezus Christ, you bunch of freaks. HE'S IN THE UK!!!
WE LET OUR CATS OUT IN THE UK. GET THE IDEA? If we wanted something furry to keep trapped in the house we'd buy a stuffed bear now stop saying "don't let it out".

I seriously don't believe Americans get the idea of what cats are about if they declaw them and keep them inside.

You don't own cats. They choose to live with you. Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

Answer 9

My cats are trained to the sound of me shaking their treat container. Sometimes they come from no where if they hear me pick it up. They know that I give them a treat from it. At first they did not know, but I would always shake it and them give them a treat and soon they leant that sound meant a treat.

Answer 10

do not let your cat out at all unless you want him maimed or killed. Terrible things happen to cats that are let outside, some are tortured by humans, ravaged by dogs or other animals, eaten by birds of prey. There is also poisoning and getting hit by traffic. When your kitty does come to you, PLEASE keep him inside!! have him altered as soon as he is old enough and that will curb much of his wanderlust.

all of us that are telling you to keep your cat indoors are getting thumbs down. well it is the best advice you are going to get. And I saw your other question too so I am guessing that you are just playing around this morning. Get back to school.

Answer 11

It's a question of training. Food is the clue. Reward your kitten when he returns. Let him out a little at a time and reward.