So... when should I let my cat go outside?

Question

Not just to poop... but really let outside... she really wants to, but I'm too protective. She's only about 5 months.

Answer 1

She may THINK she wants to, but it isn't a good idea to leave a cat that young outdoors. Put a collar on her, and put her on a leash. Take her outside, and you may find that once she is outside, it won't seem like such a great idea after all. My oldest cat wanted to go out so badly he chewed through the window screen and ended up on the roof. So I put on the collar and leash and took him outside. He dug his claws in my shoulder and started yowling like I was killing him. He never tried to go outside again.

Answer 2

I agree with most here about not letting your cat out at this age or any. The circumstances of being out on a leash are a possibility but the health of your cat in the long run is best preserved if she stays indoors. Likely she is just bored and likes seeing other animals, branches wiggle, and leaves and what not blow around out there through the window. If you play with her she will get what she's really looking for - mental stimulation. You can probably get her to leap through the air w/ a feathers on a stick toy, you'll both have fun and she'll get her exercise.

Answer 3

It's really not a good idea to let a cat go outdoors unsupervised, especially for a young kitten. Your best bet, if you are insistent to take your kitten outside, is to get it leash and harness trained. Start out by letting your kitten wear a harness around the house to get accustomed wearing. After a week or two, attach a leash to the harness (still indoors). Once the kitten is used to it, take her out. There are so many hazards for kittens\cats outdoors- strays, cruel neighborhood kids, cars, parasites, etc. It's really not worth it if you want your pet to live a long life.

Answer 4

I have several cats who pretty much go in and out whenever they want to. I also have a one acre enclosure for them, so I don't really worry much about them. Since I am assuming that you don't have that, my best suggestion would be to keep the cat indoors, or adapt her to a harness so that you can walk her on a leash. I know several cats who don't like the harness, but your cat is still young enough to adapt to it. Another consideration would be that the lifespan of cats allowed to roam outdoors is significantly less than that of indoor-only cats. If you can afford it and have room, fencing a small section of yard with a cat-proof fence (like Purrfect Fence) might satisfy her urges. Whatever your choice, good luck. Try http://www.purrfectfence.com/

Answer 5

Right now she is WAY WAY WAY too young and too small to be outside on her own. Large birds and other animals will have that poor baby for lunch. Its her natural instinct to want to go outside but its not the best thing for her. She'll pick up fleas, worms, and get in fights with other cats. Cats that live outside mostly only have a life span of 6-8 years. Kitties that live inside live to be 12 and up. I would keep her inside primarily while shes this young, meanwhile, get her adjusted to wearing a harness. You can buy these at PetsMart, PetCo, etc. Once shes used to wearing one, you can attach a light, not too long of a leash to it. The kind of leash you use for small and toy sized dogs. That way, you can take her outside so she'll be happy and she'll be very well protected then bring her back inside when youre ready and then she cant run away from you. Eventually, she'll learn that she cant go outside without her leash. We taught our cat to do this and now when he wants to go outside he carries his leash in his mouth up to someone and meows to go out.

Answer 6

You shouldn't let your cat outside. If she isn't fixed, you especially shouldn't. I volunteer at an animal shelter once a week. About 75% of the cats there were let outside and ran away.

Answer 7

i would suggest to keep her indoors, and maybe see if she would walk on a leash outside every once in awhile. make sure she is spayed for sure before you let her outside. if not this may be a reason as to why she is wanting out in the first place.

Answer 8

Most veterinarians will tell you never to let your cat out ( unless on a leash ). She can pick up all kinds of things as well as get into fights that will be injurious.

Answer 9

get a cat box never let here out side

Answer 10

She would be much better off and healthier also if left indoors at all times. I know they beg to go out sometimes but they don't know the dangers lurking out there, you do.
God Bless.