I'm Scared To Let My Kitten Outside

[LinziMissy]

Hi all, I'm back for some more advice as I know there are lot's of cat and kitten experts on here. Missy is now 6 months old and doing very well. She's such a funny, lovely, kitty. She got spayed last week and is doing fine. My big concern now is whether or not I should let her outside? Our house is on a private driveway with only two other homes there. At the end of our front driveway there is a narrow country road with a shallow river on the other side and then woodland past that. Our entrance is hidden, and although it's not a busy road all the time, cars come flying down there! To the back of our home we have a small garden, a fence, a big goose field and then a very busy by-pass :( I don't want to be cruel to Missy and keep her holed up but I'm also so, so scared to let her out. If anything happened I would never forgive myself! I have considered cat proofing our small garden. Does anybody know if this works or do kitty's still try to get out? Advice would be much appreciated thank you.

[Sqad]

Forget what is best for the cat.....do you want her to be a house cat or not.

When you have decided, then your next move is obvious.

"Cat proofing?".....you must be joking.

[LinziMissy]

Why not cat proofing?

[Sqad]

In my experience there is no such thing as cat proofing as a determined cat will find a way.

[boxtops]

You need to assess the risks practically. Cats do roam, but some have a relatively small patch, as was proved in the TV programme where they tagged the cats. You CANNOT catproof a garden 100%! We have 3 cats and they will and do roam. However - if you are willing for Missy to wear a collar (I wouldn't be, if she's going out, they are more risk that they are worth, IMO) then you can buy a GPS device so you can always track where she is. They are not cheap but those who have them say they are worth it.

I had house cats in the past when I lived in a flat on a busy main road, but tbh it's not natural for a cat. They love the open air and chasing leaves and spiders and just looning around in the sunshine. If you keep her indoors, you'll be constantly door-dodging - she'll always want to get out. Go out with her for the first few times, then bring her in until she gains confidence. Take her out in the garden on a harness at first if you like....

If you are going to let her out - get a locking cat flap. She'll soon learn to use it. I hope that you have had her microchipped already (essential for a cat that goes out), and you can get a catflap which programmes to the chip, so only she can get in.

I hope this helps!

[boxtops]

I do agree with sqad - unless you put 8ft high fences all round, you can't be certain she won't leave the garden.

[ummmm]

Cats are not stupid.

[LinziMissy]

Ok, I see your point. My friend fits a pretty good system though. It's pricey but if she is content in the garden I'm thinking it would be money well spent? If anyone has had the system fitted I'd love to know your experiences!

[mccfluff]

8ft high fences don't work either.....

their isn't such a thing as cat proofing.. You can get collars that snap if they get caught on anything & microchipping is a must

[LinziMissy]

She'll be getting micro chipped before I make my final decision. I don't think I'd let her out until around march anyway when the weather is nicer and getting lighter. She hasn't tried to escape yet and is always by the door when we get home. I know I sound ridiculous but I just couldn't bear it if anything happened to her. Thanks for the catflap idea boxtops, I did wonder how they worked. The GPS device would be amazing but I think I would become obsessed with checking it!? I will look into it though. Thank you

[ganesh]

I have always had cats that come and go. They are free and I think it's right and natural that way. It's not right to keep a cat caged, they love going out and hunting and lying in the sun and exploring. I also know exactly where you are coming from, it's so nerve-wracking. I go through it whenever we move. I keep them in for a week and then just let them out- they always come back, quite often with presents for me (nice!). You cannot cat-proof a garden, they climb! One tip is to wait until the kitten is due for dinner and then let her out, go with her and then call her back after a while for dinner. O yes, and get a cat-flap. Then she knows she is free but will return to you because she wants to come back to you. And that is the best feeling!

[LinziMissy]

The system would make our fences about 8ft. It has curved metal rods which have netting secured all the way round. It forms a kind of canopy around your garden fences and gates. Just thought I'd make it clear as 'the no such thing as cat proofing' comments are confusing me. Surely it wouldn't be a professional job for some people if it didn't work?

[LinziMissy]

Thanks for understanding ganesh. I don't want to be cruel to her but it would be crueler if she did get hit by a car

[boxtops]

Linzi - it's way over the top to put that sort of security round a private garden - it'll look like Colditz, think of the effect it'll have on the beauty of your garden - and I suspect that you would need planning permission for fences and security that high!

[boxtops]

...and please believe me, I do understand your concerns. One of my cats went missing for seven months a couple of years ago, we were beside ourselves....

[LinziMissy]

Haha! I know it's ott! It doesn't look too bad actually though. The netting is very fine (but strong) and is green so blends in with the garden. I could grow my clematis's up it ;)

[LinziMissy]

Oh no :( they came back after 7 months though?? That's amazing

[Sqad]

It'd not rocket science having a cat..........how about providing a litter tray AND responding to he need to go outside.....she will let you know.

Yes she could be knocked over and yes it would be tragic but it has happened to most cat owners and you will have to learn to live with that fear.

Never had catflaps and never had cats with collars.

You are reading too much into this.

[ganesh]

I know we all run that risk, but it would be worse if she got out say in the summer when you open a window Are you going to watch her 24/7? In my opinion, and you did ask, do you want a real cat or a cuddly toy? it's a bit like letting your kids out on their own the first time, I know, but I don't think you should keep her in.

[dmbhunt]

Go out in the garden with her, wander around, sit a while, play with a ball. Cats don't generally wander too far from home. It is petrifying the first time you let them out but what is the alternative? What would happen if she got out by accident, how would she cope? better by far to equip her for a life of relative freedom. I agree with boxtops regarding collars they are dangerous our boy came back with a collar - that was supposed to stretch- down under his arm, this can cause horrendous injuries. Plus he was wretching hard so he had clearly been caught up somewhere. You will never manage to cat proof your garden, you cannot take into account what actions other people might take which may unintentionally cause an issue.

[woofgang]

i haven't got cats but i wish them no harm. last year i found a newly dead cat in my front garden, it looked like a road accident. i had the charming job of disposing of the body because there was no collar tag although the cat wore a collar, and then, when the owner leafletted the area, i had to phone them and tell them their cat was dead. When cat owners let their cats wander, everyone takes on part of that decision. i have had other cats take birds in my garden and trash my fishpond. if you have a cat, catproof your garden. there are many methods that do work. i for one don't want any part of your cat ownership.