Getting a rescue cat ready to go outside

[Eve]

I adopted my cat Heathcliffe last Saturday from an animal shelter.

He was taking in as a stray though I don't believe he can have been a stray for long as he is only 2 and very good with his litter tray and round the house and with people.

Having observed his behaviour he is obviously a cat who enjoys the outdoors.

He's being kept in for a month to get him used to his new place but want to do all I can to prepare for letting him outside for periods.

I admit I am scared that when I do let him out, he won't come back.

I work office hours dring the week and have a ground floor rented flat (cat flap not possible). I can leave windows open for him when I'm in and have a large covered bit outside my front door I can leave him a little cat house with blankets for when I'm not.

Does anyone have any tips for how to prepare for letting him out for periods in the best way?

[sara3]

hi Jenna. you've kept him in so he's got used to the smell of the place (no offence!) and that's what will help him find his way back. I'd suggest you hang around when he first goes out but don't panic if he wanders. I was told to put butter on my cat's "beans" (pads of his paws) as they lick and and love it, and will come back for more. I admit, that sounds like rubbish to me but when I first let my rescue cat out last year, I tried it as I was terrified he might disappear! the first time was fine, the second, fine.. the third.. he was gone for FIVE hours! but hey, he came back!

I don't have a cat flap either, but he comes bombing out from anywhere when I pull up in my car, bless him!

I assume he is chipped? you'll both be fine ^..^

[Eve]

I am going to have him chipped before he g ooes out, he has his vet check up and vaccinations in a couple of weeks so will get it done then.

He's got his collar on and I'm going to get a disc done with my phone number on too.

I'll definitely try the butter thing :)

He's happily curled up asleep at the moment round my handbag bless him.

I figured I'd do the first let outs over a weekend when I can be here all the time and let him in and out until he gets used to it.

I think I'm just terrified of him not coming back.

[sara3]

I was just the same. the kids were saying, "he is going to come back, isn't he?" "isn't he back yet?" it was awful! but being a cat, he strolled in late with an arrogant look on his face :o)

and he lost 2 collars with engraved discs within a week, so I gave up on that!

[sue11]

When we got our two rescue cats, Ozzie and Bandit, I too was frightened that they would dash for freedom never too return the first time they were let out, but they both happily wandered about outside for a while and then both returned safe and sound. Once you get the first time out of the way, you will feel a lot better about letting him out again. Don't forget that cats are very intelligent creatures and have us lot sussed out pretty good! They know where they are most wanted and I am pretty sure that he will want to return home to good grub and lots of cuddles once he has explored his new surroundings! Best of luck, but I am sure everything will be fine!
Cheers Sue

[pusspuss]

Jenna please take care with the fireworks going off all the time

[madboutcats]

What a very valid point puss puss has made, is it possible to keep him in until after bonfire night, see how he reacts to the noises of fireworks outside, he might not turn a hair but i'd hate to think that he got a fright while outside and lost his way home. A good suggestion ive seen given on here is to let him out near his feeding time so he'll be hungry and eager to come home for his tea etc, i used to rattle the box of biscuits for patch when i wanted him to come in, and he'd soon come a running.

[Eve]

Thank you all :)

I had considered the fireworks and won't let him out until they've all gone away as that fits in with his month of being here (10th November and my 30th so might not do it that day just in case!).

I'll get him trained on a sound that says food like rattling his biscuits, he follows me around at the moment so doesn't need calling as such :)

Am on my food, your food training at the moment, having a late lunch and so far so good, he's just sitting watching :)

[Schutzengel]

Jenna
Pleased to hear things are going well for you and Heathcliffe, and that you are having him microchipped. Just a thought about cats and collars. Can you slip two fingers under the back of the collar, and gently pull it off over his head, it is vital that if he gets caught up in anything that he can pull his head free from the collar. This is one of my worries about collars, after seeing a huge, magnificent ginger tom cat hanging in a hedge, quite dead, strangled by his own collar. It haunts me to this day. I did find the owner, and took him home to a very distressed lady. If you try the removing the collar test as described above, he should be OK. My three are all microchipped, but don't wear collars. I wish you much happiness with Heathcliffe, he landed the right way up on his four paws when he found you. I'll be thinking of you.
Good Luck

[honky-tonk]

i find the easy way to let a cat out for the first time is to do it before a meal that way they will always come back for their feed .
my two boys are now 7 months old and they love the outdoors i leave the back door open for them and they run in and outside. after 10pm they are indoors with a litter tray provided.

[Jugglering]

Very good advice up there Jenna ! If he does manage to go *walkabout* one evening, he's probably just gone a little too far outside his own territory and is a bit lost... so if that happens, wait until all the traffic noise from the streets/roads etc has calmed down and then go walkabout yourself where he is likely to roam, calling his name (you might want to do this with a friend, it's not much fun going down back lanes on your own!). I think you'll find he soon hurtles back home at the sound of your voice :). For the first few weeks after he is allowed out, only let him out when he hungry, he'll definitely come back sharpish then ! He doesn't look stupid and will surely know that if he comes home he will get lots of lovely food !

[Eve]

I've checked his collar and can get the two fingers underneath but loosened it a bit so he can get it off as well.

Will definitely do the meal thing :)

I need to go get him a cat tree or something as I think he has some excess energy which needs to be burned off.

He swipes his paw at me or grabs my slippers to tell me he wants to play and we have a major play session this morning :)

Think it will do him good when he can go out.

He has a good routine and has his meals at the same time each day and evening and always has some biccies in case he gets peckish.

He's so facinated by the fridge maybe I should just open that when I want him to come haha :)

He is really coming on, his coat is getting a lovely healthy sheen and much softer and shinier and in better condition and he's very relaxed. He was never clingy clinghy but is getting much more independant like he knows he is fine here and can let me out of his sight as I will come back.

He's also being good with the "no" word :) Only really needed when he was coming after my food and when I'm in and out the front door.

[Doc.Spock.1]

I am an ardent cat lover, had cats since I can remember.

Why cant you have a cat flap, get your mates to cut hole in door and fit one, they are very neat.


Our two cats have always had a cat flap.


Your moggy sounds lovely.

[Doc.Spock.1]

Coax your landlord into letting you fit cat flap, tell him/her you will replace the door when you leave, by which time he will have forgotten.

I do believe a cat needs a way to get back in.

[Eve]

Hey Doc :)

I will ask the landlord and see what he says, he has a cat as well and when he came round to meet us Heathcliffe did his flop of the floor, love me I'm gorgeous thing for him :) Landlord texted me the other day to say he hoped we were both settling in well so he may go for it :)

A cat flap would be the best way so he can come and go as he pleases (as long as he doesn't come with dead beasties haha).

I've been trying to get some more piccies up esp on Facebook but until my broadband comes and stuck on dialup and sooo slow....

Here's my gorgeous monster though...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=v75ggp&s=4

[Schutzengel]

Just seen your photo. Wow! He's absolutely gorgeous, a mirror image of my Felix. Good luck with the cat flap.