hi,i am new to the forum,i need help,i have aquired a kitten,he was 15weeks old when i had him,he was going outside where he lived,they didn't want him so i had him.we have kept him in for 4weeks now,and he is going mad to get out,what do i do?am i being cruel keeping him in,all the windows have to be shut,as he trys to get out.caught him trying to get out the bedroom window.we have had him microchipped and are waiting to get him neutered,any advise please

You'll find conflicting views here, and good advice both ways- ultimately it's going to be up to you!

Cats live longer when kept indoors- but there's less natural stimulation. My cat is an indoors cat due to her own choice, it sounds like your kitten will want to go outside.

Some people have found a meduim by allowing garden access, but using overhanging fencing so the cat cannot leave the fenced garden area.

Other people will be along with good tips and advice, but you won't get a difinitive answer because there's so many differing opinions

Good luck with whatever your decision is!

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15 weeks old is a bit too young IMO. If you can keep him in until he is at least 8-9 months old that would be much better. Also please don't let him out until he's been castrated. He's far too small to stick up for himself if he should come across another adult entire male ... it could be very very nasty, if not fatal.

Most cats are inquisitive. What you might think is him being desperate to be let out, may be just curiosity, especially with him only being 15 weeks.

If you can keep him occupied indoors with lots of toys he will be fine. You only have to do a list of pro's and con's for letting him out or keeping as an indoor only cat to see that it's just not worth the risk (well to me it isn't anyway). I have 3 cats, 2 of which are 22 weeks old and they are all puuuurfectly happy indoors.

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If you do decied to let him out...

I am no expert but this is what I think:

Allocate some time to take him out for walks in the garden on a harness, may take a good few days to get him use to the harness, patience is required!
Try take him out supervised for a good few weeks.

The weather maybe against you as winter and dark nights are drawing in. Think about if he went out what times do you want him to go out?

Spread some of his litter in the garden, remember that cats have a really high sense is smell. We also put our duvet on the washing line

Only let him out on his own when he has had snip-snip done (after post-op check up)

All I can think of at the moment.

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I have just got a new addition to the cat family. Ayshe is 17 weeks old but i have decided not to let her out for a few months.
To me it's the wrong time of year. It's quite cold and it's dark in the mornings and the evenings gets dark early too. Also November is the dreaded Bonfire night, which seems to start the week before and go on the week after!

When i do decide to let her out it will be on a harness for a couple of weeks so she will get use to the smells and the surroundings.

Our other cats do go out but only in the day. They are always in by the time it gets dark.
These last couple of weeks they tend to stay indoors now the weather is not so warm.

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So many people are lucky enough to live in cat safe areas however having had a bad experience I would never let any of mine out.

We live in a cul-de-sac no need for anyone to be on our street unless they live here, lots of large grassy areas with trees, perfect cat territory. We let our girls out for only a few weeks before one was hit by a car and killed right outside our back gate.

We have 3 now and they only ever get out into the garden on harnesses, I go into a blue flat spin if I think for a second any of them have gone out. Since losing our Peppina we have heard of another 2 cats from our street who have been lost the same way, for us its just not worth the risk.

I do feel really bad when they sit at the window chirruping to the birds and I see many cats outside that come round to visit, I always think how lucky they are and I hope mine don't feel deprived.

The long and the short of it is that you have to risk assess your area and make a decision, we did, were we wrong or just unlucky? Who knows but once bitten twice shy.

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Proud mum to Tiffany, Bellinda and Jessica

Don't feel bad hun. I am pretty sure that when they do that it's excitement not necessarily them wanting to get to the birds (though I'm sure they would have fun if they could). I have a bird feeding station right outside my office window, and my girls love sitting and watching the birds If they really really wanted/needed to get to the birds they would head but the window or scratch at it furiously to get out surely?

I don't know if you have one, but try a Da Bird or similar (there is one on Zoopluss for less than £2), my girls chirrup the same way when they play with this.

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We have a toy box for them! Not only do they love the box but I often find one of them rummaging around to find a favourite mouse before darting around the house like an idiot with it in their mouth.

They have plenty to keep them occupied I just wish they could have the freedom of the outside but I just don'[t feel its safe for them, talk about an over-protective mummy

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Proud mum to Tiffany, Bellinda and Jessica

Do not let out before NEUTERED.

I am for letting out especially as your kitten seems to have already experienced the big wide world.

However..... risk assess. What are the likely hazards (causes of harm)? Can you cope with an accident (costs for treatment, death, emotions)?

If you can't then house cat is fine but provide litter trays and plenty of stimulation in the form of scratching posts, trees, play, another cat.

I let my 3 out. 1 is a semi wild stray who has learnt that indoors is 'good'. the other 2 are ex-breeding stock peds who think outside is wonderful. BUT my rule is 'only in daylight, home before night'. So in the dark hours they are locked in (not the semi feral - he comes and goes)

I am getting a cat next week from a shelter - she is 2, and was a stray. She has had a tough start (seemingly) but has survived so far, and is (so I'm told!) quite streetwise! I live in the countryside - but on a junction, where one road meets another.

The roads aren't busy - but when a car comes, they can come at a reasonable pace (i.e. 40 mpg). There is however, reasonable visibility.

The lady from the shelter was happy with her being allowed out - and we've got a nice big garden

I want her to be an outdoor cat, but am a little worried about the road. What are peoples thoughts? And what are others experiences - does it depend on the cat? Luck??