Hi,
Im new to the forum have just signed up after doing some research.

We have had toto since he was about 6 weeks old. After having his injections we let him just go out in the small back yard making sure he couldnt get out. He would be outside for about 20 minutes a time. He was castrated last friday and today we let him out of the back gate for the first time today at 12 o clock dinner time.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._6826587_n.jpg

Me and my girlfriend expected him to have a nosey around, but not go too far at first because that is what my dads cat did. And eventually ventured further after time.

He went out of the back gate and trotted off out of sight, after half an hour or so we were worried we couldnt find him, 2 hours later i was still searching everywhere. I spotted a cat with similar markings on the railway that goes under neath a nearby road. I shouted TOTO and the cat starred straight at me.

I slid down through the bushes onto the tracks but by the time i got there the cat had gone. I walked up and down for hours shouting him and shaking a box with biscuits in. Further up the track i saw a small cat walking away from us so i tried to catch up. I finally caught up with this cat and was absolutely gutted when i realised i had been wasting so much time because it was'nt even ours, but very similar.

I was back to square one and my girlfriend was hystericaly upset so i looked all around the streets again, in gardens, bushes. It was by then 8 o clock and we had been looking for 8 hours dreading the worst. We walked home, and he was underneath a car right outside our house. Came straight over to us and came inside like nothing had happened.

We had been checking back at home during the search incase he went home but until this time, nobody even neighbours had seen him. Were over the moon hes back, never seen my girlfriends face light up so much, but im worried now about letting him out again.

Is it a bit wierd for a cat to dissapear for so long on there first outing?

Sorry its a long one but not half as long as the day we have had

Most people on here will advise to keep him as an indoor cat, as its much safer for him. I lost my 9 month old boy last year letting him out, and he went too far and got knocked over, so the cat Ive got now to replace him, very rarely goes out unless the kids leave door open and she gets out, she too has gone missing before on one of her escaping acts. They do seem to do a wonderful disappearing act. One day when she went for a few hours, it was because she was stuck up a tree.

Not really sure to advise about next time, its an old wives tail to put butter/margarine on their feet, but im told it does work.

I just feel happier knowing mine is safe inside, she has just had kittens (after escaping) and the kitten I keep is going to be an indoor cat as well, and the 3 other kittens we have homes for, are going to be indoor cats as well.

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Thank you to all of those who have helped me through Ambers pregnancy, birth and right through with her kittens.

www.watsonfamilycats.webs.com

Hi, and thankyou for the reply.
I didnt realise that most people would advise to keep him as an indoor cat as i thought 80% of cats ventured outside but i was only persuming.
Im certainly not looking to offend anyone or rumble anyone, but ive always said that i would prefer a cat to live half the life span venturing outside enjoying freedom than they would staying indoors 24 hours a day, i myself think thats what a cat would choose given the option but its personal opinions that im sure lots of people have different views on it.

I do want him to enjoy the pleasures of going outside for a few hours of each day, as he just seems to want to get out alot and i would think it more cruel to keep him locked up. Just didnt want him to dissapear for such a long period especially whilst hes still learning but i suppose its seeming theres not alot i can do about it right now. Hes staying in at the moment until i have decided what were going to do.

Thanks

Today was a beautiful summer's day, at least it was here. My guess is he found a nice bit of long grass somewhere and went to sleep for the afternoon like all self-respecting cats. Perhaps wait until rain is imminent next time and then let him out, if you're worried. He'll be ready to come in as soon as it rains. Better still, leave the door propped open for his first few outings.

Liz

hi there, welcome to the forums

i would say start by letting him out for 1/2 hour at a time, and stay with him- follow him around a bit. then gradually let him out for longer and longer and i reckon he should be fine.

i plan on keeping my 2 girls in, they dont show any signs of wanting to be outside so im not gonna make them, as im happy to have them where i can see them! however, from experience i think that boys tend to have the urge to go outside, roam a bit, whereas girls aren't so fussed

good luck anyway!

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Mummy to kittens Elphie and Ruby
and Noah the goldfish

Unless you have a cat like mine... Cuba was spotted, aged 5 months, sitting in the rain playing with the dribbles from the leaky guttering of the shed roof.

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My cats are harness trained. I take them out in their fenced yard but I do not leave them out there unsupervised. I stay with them. And when I tell them it's time to come in, they run to the door and stand in line and wait for me to take their harnesses off.

However, if they didn't have a little yard I know they would still be perfectly happy as indoor cats, because up until 7 years ago my cats did not have a yard and weren't harness trained and were happy and healthy and safe.

Plenty of attention from their human, including daily grooming and daily interactive games for exercise, a cat tree, a sunny window...they don't need to "run free".

I couldn't bear the worry of not knowing where they are and that they are safe and healthy, every minute of the day.

awwwwww i bet it was a fun but a bit stressful time i know when i let my smokey out i was so worried i went and got him back in but now in gose out for an hour in the evening he dosent go far my indoor ragdoll cat holly is harness trained and she love going in the back garden on that good luck with your kitty

I let my 18month old rescue cat out for the 1st time last week. It is so nerve wracking isnt it!!

Well the 1st time we let her out she dissappeared for a couple of hours making us abit worried. But she came back for dinner time so we were ok.

Now when we let her out she doesnt tend to go too far at all. It was almost like her 1st outing was to check out the neighbourhood and now she just hangs out in her own section.

One tip I would give is to let the cat out not long before he or she is due to eat dinner. If they are hungry they will return!!

I think outdoor cats who live to 7 (half avg cat lifespan) are doing very well, we lost our little girl at 11 months, she was hit by a car on the very quiet service road right outside our house. I am ultra paranoid about windows and doors now if any of my cats got out there would be bedlam! I have 3 very happy house cats who get out into my garden on a harness every once in a while.

Anyway, I am sure that after only 1 week your little boys hormones will still be going wild and it is normally suggested to keep him in for 3 weeks or so to give them a chance to settle. This will make him less likely to roam.

Can I also add, you live so close to a railway line your cat has twice the danger to cope with. Many people on here will tell you cats can live a perfectly happy life indoor providing they have enough stimulus.

I may be selfish but I'd rather my cats were inside and safe than lying half dead on a road somewhere not to mention the state I would be in if I couldn't see them.

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Proud mum to Tiffany, Bellinda and Jessica