Enclosing your yard with fence attachments is especially important if you live near potential hazards, such as busy roads or highways.
Get a bowl of food ready just before you let it out for the first time. That way, you won’t have to leave your kitten outside unsupervised while you fix its food.
If your kitten gets spooked, it could form a negative association with the outdoors or, even worse, run away and get lost. Cats use their sense of smell to find their way back to your home. Avoid letting your kitten out after a rainstorm since it will remove the scent and make it more difficult for your cat to find its way back.
Keep the door open so your kitten can go back inside if it feels squeamish. Don’t pick your cat up or force it to go outside. If it darts around or hides under a shrub, try not to worry. Keep your distance and let it get accustomed to your yard. If your kitten doesn’t want to go outside or runs back into the house, just let it stay inside. If it wants to be an indoor kitty, keep it active and entertained with toys, scratching posts, and climbing perches.
Remember to prepare your kitten’s food in advance so you don’t have to head into the house and leave it alone outside. In addition, grab some of its favorite treats just in case the bowl of food doesn’t catch its interest. It’s also helpful to teach your cat to come before letting it go outside. Offer a tasty treat, say “Come,” and reward your pet with the treat when it comes to you. Keep practicing until it reliably comes on command. [6] X Research source
Food with a strong odor, such as sardines or tuna, could do the trick. Place the food inside near the door, keep the door open, and wait for your cat to come investigate.
Even after acclimating your cat to the outdoors, keep it inside overnight and in hot, cold, or rainy weather. Cars and predators pose a greater risk when it’s dark, and bad weather could take a toll on your cat’s health.
Generally, a kitten completes its core vaccinations by the time it’s 5 or 6 months old. Keep in mind some important vaccines aren’t always legally required. For instance, although it isn’t always a core vaccination, your vet will still recommend vaccinating your cat against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) if you plan on letting it go outside. [9] X Research source
Spaying or neutering your kitten lowers its risk of developing cancer and other illnesses. In addition, you wouldn’t want to deal with a litter of kittens after letting your female cat outside unsupervised. Finally, fixing your cat will lower its risk of getting into fights with other felines.
Discuss parasite preventative treatments with your cat’s vet and use your product as instructed. While over-the-counter products are available, treatments prescribed by vets are more effective, and it’s wise to have your vet recommend the right product and dosage for your pet.
Toxic plants include amaryllis, azaleas, elephant’s ear, lilies, hyacinths, and oleander. For a full list, see https://www. cats. org. uk/dangerous-plants.
Cats can squeeze in and out of tight spaces, so make sure the collar fits securely around its neck. The collar shouldn’t be so loose that it can slip off, but you should be able to fit 2 fingers between the collar and your cat’s neck. [14] X Research source
Once a chip is implanted in your cat’s neck or upper back, you’ll need to keep it updated. If you move or change your phone number, go online or call the company that hosts the chip to upload your new contact information.
You can also purchase a pet stroller. This is completely enclosed, and will let you take your cat on a walk. [18] X Expert Source Molly DeVossCertified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 15 July 2021. Try setting up a soft, outdoor play pen for your cat. These are fully enclosed and will help your cat feel safe and secure. [19] X Expert Source Molly DeVossCertified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 15 July 2021. Keeping your cat harnessed or enclosed is best if you live near potential hazards, such as a busy road, predatory birds, or a big dog that routinely gets loose.
