When can my kitten go outside?

[Catlady711]

Every culture is different regarding pets in the homes. (I think in Arabia at one time it was the norm to keep horses in the house).

The risk of a disease or accident basically are very, very high for an outdoor kitty, even with full vaccination kept up to date.

The average livespan of cats:
Outdoor kitty - 7-9 years
Indoor kitty - 14-18 years
(remember this is only an average)

Neutering and vaccinations do increase the chances the cat will live a longer life, but given the dangers outside they do nothing to prevent accidents or deliberate foul play by very mean and sick people.

Even if the OP doesn't come back to read this, I wanted to post it for the benefit of others who may read this.

[catmandu]

I WOULD CERTAINLY BE CAREFUL ABOUT LETTING A KITTEN OUTSIDE, ESPECIALLY IF HES NOT USED TO BEING OUTSIDE ON HIS OWN,
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT CAN DISTRACT A KITTENS ATTENTION.
AND ONCE A KITTEN WANDERS OFF ITS SO EASY FOR HIM TO GET LOST.
ARE YOU IN AN AREA WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND ARE THERE A LOT OF DOGS AROUND THERE??

LITTLE KITTENS ARE SO VULNERABLE SO I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL.

[Medusa]

Saubona! Kunjani and welcome to PT! (Not sure I spelled those greetings right.) I must concur w/my PT friends regarding keeping your kitten indoors. In my opinion, humans are the worst enemy of all of cats. Cars, bad kids, cruel neighbors, the list is long as to what endangers a kitten, not to mention the diseases they can get if not properly immunized. And if you don't have your little sweetie altered, more kittens will be the result. I do realize, though, that each culture is different and perhaps outdoor cats are common in S. Africa. Talk to your vet as to when you can have your kitty altered. Most say not before 4 months and usually at 6 months old it's safe but each vet can differ in opinion. We'd love to see pix!

[Freedom]

Hello! I already posted a "welcome" in your thread in the Introductions.

I have 10 cats. All indoor. Three of them come outside WITH me, supervised, in the fenced in back yard. And they don't stay out long at all.

I lost one indoor / outdoor cat to the coyote who lives in the woods at the end of my block. Never again will I let them out without my supervision. Dazzle was 18 months old, and had been in and out all his life. He was focused on a mouse and the coyote was focused on HIM.

Please keep your boy safe. Cats can lead very full lives indoors, with a few toys, a climber or 2, and a place to watch out of a window.

[moosmom]

I have 6 cats and the only one that goes outside is MooShoo, and only when he's on a harness or in his kitty stroller. The rest are strictly indoors. Please, keep your kitty indoors or on a harness when you do let him out.

But for your furbaby's safety, please keep him indoors.

[Karen]

If your kitten is young, you can train him to a leash and harness now, and he will associate it with "ooh, goody - when I wear this I get to go outside!" Has he been to the vet yet? A good general check-up, and any needed vaccinations (I don't know what's needed where you are) and the kitten should be good for supervised (on a long leash) trips outside! That way you are not only there to scare off any predators (certain hawks and owls regard a young kitten as "snack food"), but you can watch and make sure he doesn't pounce on and eat anything he shouldn't! Certain lizards have Hepatic Flukes that can then kill a kitten or dog who eats the lizard.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

All of mine are INDOOR ONLY! And may I say, I have NEVER had a kitty that went outside that lived more than 6 months. My dad did not believe in indoor kitties, until that last one that got killed at only 3 months. He never let his cats outside again.

I went on my own knowing that I would NEVER allow mine outdoors, too many dangers.

I sure hope you will change your decision, and good luck.

Welcome to Pet Talk.