cat wont go out

[simon999]

ive had my cat for 2 and a half years she is a very scared and timmed cat we used to live in a flat 3rd floor up so she never went out any way but we have been in our house for 6 months and she still isnt going out the garden , last summer the door to the garden fromthe kitchen was open most of the time and even now we have a cat flap she still wont go out how can i help her to explore the world ????

[mccfluff]

don't force her, and just keep doing what you are doing she may well come out to investigate of her own accord

[boxtops]

Go out with her, carry her, show her it's safe - but don't force it. I had indoor cats and they took a lot of coaxing when we moved to a house with a garden. It's a scary world out there if you aren't used to it. How old is she? You might have to accept that she's a house cat - particularly if there are other cats in the area who have already laid claim to your garden.

[Buenchico]

Wait for some better weather and then carry her in your arms out into the garden , so that she can sit on your knee (while you sit on a garden chair), feeling reasonably confident as you stroke her. The first few times you try it she'll probably leap straight off your knee and shoot straight back inside the house but eventually she'll get used to being outside with you and then, eventually, she might jump off your knee to start exploring.

Chris

[ruthann58]

i agree with chris wait untill the weather is warmer and the doors are left open she will venture out on her own then probably just sit on the doorstep to start with ,i dont blame her for not wanting to go out in this weather