Hi guys,

I'm pretty new to the forum so I'm hoping someone can help me?

I have a 2 year old (n) male cat who was a farm kitten but I have kept as an indoor cat from 8 weeks old, & have taken out on a leash for the past 5 months. In the past month or so my partner and I have taken turns in taking him outside in our garden without the leash twice per day while supervising, however, anytime we get up or open the hall door he cries and cries to get out. I've been thinking about letting him out for a while but i'm terrified he wont come back or something will happen to him as he has been an indoor cat for so long. We are unable to fit a cat flap due to being private tennants, however the two cats who live in the flats next to us seem to get in and out without any problems by just crying at the window. My cat also seems to get on very well with the neighbours male cat when he is out and I'm wondering if he might get on better knowing that he can follow the neighbours cat around? Any suggestions would be greatfully received as I'm very apprehensive !!!

It's always a scary time. But as he's been out on supervised visits so many times he'll be fine. Ideally let him out early in the morning (before feed time) and let him explore for a few mins, then bang his food bowl or shake the crunchies and he should re-appear! We have always had a cat-flap though, so not sure about your situation. Keep an eye on the door!

Also a good idea to sprinkle some of his litter around outside. They can smell it from a long way a way.

Ian.

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"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot

Hi try not to worry I am sure he will be fine.
You could try letting him out when you have a day off or when you are home at the week end so you can keep an eye on him.
Letting him out when he his hungary is best.
Also each time you call him and he comes back, give him a treat.
We did this with ours and it works quite well.
Good Luck!!

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I got my cats from a breeder - one was an ex queen and the other a returned kitten. They had been indoor/run cats for about 3 years.

I decided that I would let them out as our environment is fairly safe (no outside environment is totally safe unless a run or cat-proofed garden). They both have taken to indoor/outdoor like ducks to water.

Both have become avid hunters (not what I would have wanted but that is a cat's nature). I make sure that they are kept in from dusk to dawn and I have trained them to come to banging a fork against a steel dish - sound probably carries further than my voice.

Thanks guys the comments have really put my mind at rest, I've had Tigger at the vets yesterday to get his microchip put in and I'm just waiting on a safety collar being posted out & i'll try the tips you have given me! He's starting to get a little cheeky now, when we take him out supervised he has decided he would prefer running into the next door neighbours garden so he's getting adventurous!

good luck with this im sure he will be fine and he obviously has a loving home so im certain he'll come home.

deff go with the treat thing wen he returns, sheldon now leggs up the stairs and into the kitchen for his.

i live in a flat also so know how difficult it can be with the cat flap. so i jst keep an eye every half hour or so jst to check hes still alrite and see if he wants to come in.

im sure you will have your own routine in time.

once again good luck

I do feel sorry for cats let out and no one there to let them back in, I see them on doorsteps allover the place and I want to cry, I don't stroke them, even tho I'd love to coz then they follow me, and I am scared they will get hurt following me, or attacked by a dog, or not go back home I miss loving cats in the strreet.!!

Mine stay in and they are fine.

Cyberfyn, this may be a stupid question but I forgot to ask! Do I have to sprinkle a little dirty litter outside and will that make the neighbours cats react in any way??

Did everyone find it quite easy to get into a routine with letting their cats out or did it take a while? I don't want to have him going out at night as I've heard this can be quite dangerous.

Hi. Just a little used (pee) litter does the job. It's quite pungent, so the smell, for cats at least, carries a long way. It should not make much difference to neighboring cats. Although they might have a sniff out of curiosity.

We have always had a cat-flap, so our cats have had free access 24-7. They do get into a routine quite quickly.... But make sure it's your routine. Not theirs! Ours are allowed out day and night, but usually they come to bed at about 1am ish and sleep though till breakfast time. Although with the hot weather, they have been sleeping on the swing chair at the bottom of the garden at night. Much cooler for them. We have Foxes and Badgers as regular visitors to our garden (rural) and have had no problems with them for the last 15 years.

Ian.

__________________
"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - T.S. Eliot