When Can Kittens Go Outside

There are many ways your kitten could catch an infection or disease outside so making sure it s properly vaccinated is absolutely vital.

When can kittens go outside. As the kitten grows older the time outdoors can be increased until the kitten becomes independent and has learnt his recall down to a tee. You may be tempted to let your cat outside as soon as possible but generally it s best to allow at least 2 3 weeks and up to 4 6 weeks after you first take them home. The key again is making sure the indoor environment is just as interesting as outside and being vigilant about preventing escape attempts. There are three things we strongly recommend doing before you let your kitten out.

Many cats have successfully gone from outdoor only or indoor outdoor to indoor only. Many cats will initially feel confined by the additional weight of the harness and their first attempts at walking on a leash will appear to be more of the slinking or belly crawling variety. It s important to remember that your kitten should have free access to his home at all times and should not be shut outside consider installing a microchip cat flap so he can come and go as he pleases. That s when they re around 13 14 weeks old.

This will give them plenty of time to settle in their new environment. Laura emge mosoriak dvm owner of kingstowne cat clinic alexandria virginia. Ideally cats should be six months of age before they are allowed outside unsupervised. 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.

Kittens will not complete their vaccinations and waiting period until at least 13 weeks old so this. Firstly you shouldn t let your kitten out until at least a week after it s finished its first course of vaccinations. Any cat can be trained to a harness and leash using a gradual method of training. When they re forced to stay indoors they may start to eliminate outside the box due to anxiety become irritable or overgroom themselves says dr.

Most kittens are prepared to leave the house and to explore the outside world at six months old. You can gradually start introducing your cat to the great outdoors at about six months of age once they have been neutered spayed and had all of their injections. It s not safe for a kitten to venture outside until at least a week after their initial vaccinations. 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.