When Can Kittens Go Outside On Their Own

You can either do this with or without a cat harness.

When can kittens go outside on their own. Allowing your kitten to explore outside for the first time can be daunting so we asked a behaviourist a vet and another cat owner to share the practical ways that they helped their own kittens to stay secure while out and about. Kittens can become sexually mature at a very young age sometimes as young as four to five months old. If you re going to use a cat flap have a look at our cat flap tips. How long you leave it before letting your cat outside depends on the cat s personality and how quickly they settle.

It is also a good idea not to allow very young kittens out in the garden alone until you have had them neutered spayed for a female and castrated for a male. It s unlikely you ll take ownership of your cat much before then anyway since a kitten should be with its mother until it s at least eight weeks old ideally 12 13 weeks. Go outside with your cat. Keep your kitten safe inside until at least a week after finishing the first course of vaccinations at 13 to 14 weeks old depending on the vaccine.

At this early stage don t introduce the cat flap. Once your kitten has spent time with you in the garden and seems confident you can leave them outside for 30 60 minutes. It s not safe for a kitten to venture outside until at least a week after their initial vaccinations. Kittens need to be at least five months old before they go outside on their own.

Adult cats will need at least two weeks to settle in so they have a chance to get used to their new surroundings. Choose a dry day and a quiet time and accompany your kitten outside allowing them to explore their new environment. This gives them time to have all their vaccinations and they ll be almost fully grown. When to let your kitten go outside.

By this age the kitten is already familiar with your home and will be able to track their way back after their adventure. It s best to let him out just before mealtime so you can use your recall to call your kitten indoors and reward with tasty food or playtime. Make sure your kitten s access back into the house is easy for the first few trips. Most kittens are prepared to leave the house and to explore the outside world at six months old.

That s when they re around 13 14 weeks old. While many cats live healthy happy lives as indoor pets there are also benefits to letting your kitten outdoors. They need to get used to the garden its smells its borders and also the route back in again.