When do you let a kitten out?

[divegirl]

Hi, I have a 13 week old kitten and this is the first time I have ever owned cat! [What an eye-opener!!!] Is it true that you should keep them in doors for six weeks to 'give them a sense of home'. So far I have managed 2 and a half weeks, but she is getting ever more curious about where the dogs keep running off to!
Thanks in advance.
Lisa x

[RATTER15]

I always kept mine in for 4 weeks, as you have dogs as well, the kitten will find his way home without to much difficulty as she will smell her way home, but I should give her another couple of weeks to be on the safe side.

[meltoadhall]

6 weeks is about right, the first time you let her out, let her into the garden just before she is due to have a meal. After a while call her and give her the food, she should then come to recognise home as the safe place with the food!!!

[clair3934]

I plan on keeping my little chap in until he's been neutered (6 months) just to ensure he dosn't add to the cat population in my area our vet said this is fine. usually you don't let them out until 2 weeks after there 2nd jab which would meanthey could go out around 13-14 weeks old depending on when they had the injections. but I know what you mean about it being hard to keep them in our chap sits at the back door watching the dog outside, but he'll be out there soon enough he's due his second jab an microchip tomorrow night so I'm not going to be his favorite person for a while after that

[natalie_1982]

I was told one week, but mine escaped on the day after we moved in and found his way home. For a few weeks he didn't venture much further than our garden, then the neighbours, then the garss area opposite, etc.

[sue11]

When they are very small they are at risk of being attacked by another cat, I know because one of my cats was the horror that attacked the kitten next door. She bit deeply into the kitten's leg and my neighbour had to take the poor thing to the vet for stitches. So I would suggest the longer you leave her indoors the better!
Cheers Sue
By the way the cute kitten next door grew into a hulking great tom cat that no longer took any nonsense from my cat!

[divegirl]

Thanks for all your answers..... Church will be staying in for the forseeable future.... and my dogs will just have to stay scared....hehehehe

Lisa x

[Dutty_Burd]

I was told by my Vet not to let him out until after he had been neutered at 6 months. Now if I could just stop him from looking lovingly out of the window at all the neighbours and making out that I'm a bad/cruel mummy then 6 months it'll be - which is 2 months away!!!!