Hello

I've recently got a kitten who is now 15 weeks old, he seems bored in the house and sits looking out of my patio doors hoping to go out!
I had a walk round the garden with him to stop him from meowing and wondered what age can a kitten go outside?
I know he can't go out till he has had his jabs, which are booked in for next week, i've always had cats that have been slightly older so any advice would be appreciated.

Hi and welcome

Surprised nobody has answered this. There is much debate on whether cats should be indoors or outdoors. Most pedigree breeders will advocate indoor for the lifetime of any kitten they sell.

First, you should not let any kitten or cat out until they have
had their innoculations. Even adult cats can be unprotected, if they have not had boosters.

Secondly, risk assess the dangers your cat may encounter if they are let out. For instance is there a busy road nearby? Is it likely that your cat might get stolen? Large unfriendly dogs alloed to roam free?

A cat will go over the fence. If the cat decides to go then you will be surprised how fast the cat can run, leap, jump, climb and disappear. Many owners swear that their cat never leaves their garden but I am very sceptical of this.

Also you have to be aware of your own reactions if the cat does not come back. How will you cope with that emotionally?


I am neutral on the indoor/outdoor debate. I can see that there are circumstances for both a complete indoor or indoor/outdoor. You have to decide yourself.

i know how you feel! Our kitten is now 5 and a half months...he's been crying at the dor to be let out for a while now, and is due to be speyed on Friday...THEN i was planning to let him out, but will only be at the weekend when I'm home to make sure if he wanders I'm here, or if he's not home by dark I'll be ringing the police!!! But I might change my mind and not let him out at all....I just don't know so I'm no good for advice

Hi

My three kittens are about 18 weeks now and have been going out over the last week. They have had their injections. My only concern is the risk of them getting pregnant and they will be speyed as soon as they are old enough.

I kept them shut in one room for a long time but it got to a point where that just wasn't kind as they started getting stressed so I let them out but only when I was home. They explored the house for a week or so but it wasn't long before they discovered the cat flaps that my other five cats use - and off they went!

They don't go far and are usually to be found asleep in my bedroom. They are out for far less time than I thought they would be and I still shut them up in 'their' room at night as I think they are far too young to be out overnight. Four of my older cats come in at night as well - they like their comfort. The only one who stays out a lot is my only male and he can be gone for days at a time

My cats have always been outdoor cats. I live in an old house with a right of way between my house and my garden so I would have to carry the cats outside if I built a cat run. I don't live on a road - it is an unmade up dead end where the neighbours all park. I know there is a risk that something could happen to my fur children and in my last house I did have cats die - one was run over and another poisoned. I have made the decision to take the risk and I hope I can live with the consequences if anything awful happens.

Yes, I forgot the neutering advice. If not neutered and a female then they can get pregnant from as young as 3 and half months depending on breed and physiology.

There is a myth that a female cat should have 1 litter. There is no sound reason why they should for their health.

Male cats should be neutered as it is the socially acceptable thing to do for the good of the feline community. Also do you really want your male to sray eveywhere including your home?

I forgot to add in my post that my male cat is neutered - got him done at five and a half months - but he still wanders

Hi

Thanks everyone for your advice, I live in a quiet close, that isn't near a main road with hardly any traffic.
I will be booking him in to be neutered when I take him for his jabs next week

He looks bored being in all the time, the house i got him from kept him in 1 room but now he has the run of my house all of the time

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You name it he has got it! just isn't interested!

He isn't a pedigree boy, just a cute looking ginger tom

I know this is a little late in the thread, but as i am myself due to get kittens, a number of volunteers for cat protection have told me (and others who rescue kittens) never to let a kitten outside until they are at least 12 months, as they have no road sense and they could end up getting killed, and as others have posted, if they are not neutered then it would not be fair to the queen if she gets pregnant at a young age.

Emma x