When can kittens go outside?

If you have a cat (and we’re hoping if you’re here, you do, or are getting one), you probably already know they LOVE being outside. Rolling around in the sun. Teasing the neighbour’s dog. Waiting by the door to go back in. Then out. Then in. There's nothing like it.

You’re probably wondering when to let a kitten outside, so here is some helpful information so they can enjoy chasing bugs and digging up your potted plants.

This might not sound like such a big deal, but it’s actually quite important. When you bring a kitten home, they need time to adjust. If they’re too new to the family, they might not recognise your house as their home. Which is important to make sure they come back.

Cats are pretty territorial creatures. And they get attached to their territory (AKA: your house). But this can take time. It’s best to wait 4-6 weeks before letting your new cat explore further afield so they get acquainted with your home and can find their way back.

Microchipping your cat is the best way to make sure they come home if they get lost. This will need to be done by a vet. But you might find that your breeder or rescue has already handled it.

These are little devices, about the size of a grain of rice, that can be scanned by a vet. They store all of your contact information, so if someone finds your cat somewhere it shouldn’t be, they can let you know. Just make sure you keep the information up to date when you move or change your phone number.

Neutering and spaying your cat is quite important. Not only will it prevent pregnancy (either in your cat or in the neighbour’s), it can help to prevent some easily avoidable health and behavioural issues. Female cats can get pregnant from around 4 months old, so it’s best to do it while they’re young.

Many breeders and cat rescues will neuter their cats (or at least recommend doing so), so you might not have to worry, but if you know your kitten is intact, it’s probably worth getting them fixed. And neutering a kitten is much easier than an adult cat – they bounce back faster and have a shorter recovery time.

To stop them catching any nasty viruses or illnesses from other animals, your kitten will need to have completed their primary vaccination course before you let them out.

Kittens have vaccinations at 9 and 12 weeks of age, so the minimum amount of time to wait before letting them outside is 12 weeks.. But your vet might advise keeping them home for a little while to help make sure their immune system is nice and strong.

Even if your cat isn’t going outside, you’ll need to vaccinate them anyway. Visitors stopping by your home can bring bacteria and viruses in on their shoes or clothes.

The vaccinations are to stop your kitten catching something. But viruses and bacteria aren’t the only things that can make your cat unwell.

Parasites like fleas and worms can make your cat really poorly if left untreated. And they’re very catchable. Making sure your cat is treated for parasites keeps your home free from nasties too.

Outdoor cats will need to be on a good parasite treatment. Flea and worm your cats according to the instructions on the box and repeat on time to keep them covered.

It’s unlikely that your cat will stick to just your garden when out exploring. But it’s still a good idea to make sure it’s as safe as possible for them.

Cats are pretty well known for their innate curiosity. It gets them into all sorts of trouble. Which can be funny… but not if they end up hurt. Because of how curious they are, make sure any garages and outbuildings are kept secure. If your cat does have access, keep chemicals like anti-freeze (which is very enticing but extremely poisonous) locked away and out of reach. Same as power tools. Cover ponds, pipes, and gaps between buildings, too, so they don’t get stuck somewhere they shouldn’t.

Time to talk cat flaps. Unless you’re planning on getting up 5,000 times a day to let your cat out (only for them to want back in 2 minutes later), you’ll probably want a cat flap. Make sure the flap will fit your cat at their fully grown size (saves having to make the hole bigger later).

For extra security, and so you don’t come down in the middle of the night to find the council of neighbourhood cats in your kitchen, install one that is programmed to your cat’s microchip or collar tag – this is an exclusive entry venue.

It’s a big wide world out there. And your kitten is only small. It’s best to keep them inside for at least 4 to 6 weeks after bringing them home to make sure they are confident and comfortable and they can call your house their home.

After this time, you can start introducing your cat to your garden or outdoor space. Make sure it’s a quiet time of day with good weather so they don’t get scared – no windy weather, school runs, or rush hour. This lets them adjust and get to know the garden without there being too many scary sounds.

At first, you might want to hold them. And if they’re younger than 6 months, you shouldn’t leave them outside unsupervised anyway. But once they’re more confident, it may be helpful to put them in a harness on a lead to make sure they don’t dart under the fence when they get startled. Let them walk around and have a good sniff at everything. Then, when they understand that this is their garden, they can have a bit more freedom.

Recall training is a useful skill that every cat, and cat parent, should know. Although cats are notoriously bad at coming when called, making sure they come to you can be helpful when bringing them indoors. 

You’ll want some really high-value treats (like our KatKin Nibbles) or their favourite toy and a nice, loud, distinctive command. This can be their name in a specific pitch, a whistle, or another sound they can come to associate delicious treats with. We find shaking a Nibbles tube does the trick.

Important note: These treats or toys are now only to be used as rewards when training – to make sure they’re absolutely irresistible.

Start by sitting on the floor with them (if you’re able. A chair will work if not). Call them to you and immediately follow up with a treat. Repeat a few times until they reliably react to your command every time. Gradually increase the distance between you, from a few feet to the opposite ends of the house. They should come when called every time. Once you can trust they will come to you from wherever they are at home, you can start training them in the garden. 

Start by only giving treats when they return to you, letting them go back to what they were doing. Slowly make the transition so that they only get treats when their paws cross the threshold and finally when they come inside. Make sure you only train without the expectation that coming inside means the end of exploring – they won’t like that. 

Eventually, you should be able to call your cat while they’re outdoors, and they should come running. It might take a few days or weeks to train them fully – that’s okay. It’s important not to rush it.

The opinions on cat collars are pretty mixed. Some people will tell you to put a collar on your cat as young as possible to help them get used to wearing one. Other people say to avoid them altogether. 

On one hand, a collar will help someone return your cat if they get lost or injured. On the other, the wrong type of collar can cause injuries (or worse) if they get snagged and don’t come off. 

Here at KatKin, we advise that if you want your cat to wear a collar, it MUST have a breakaway buckle. A good quality breakaway collar, such as a Supakit one, has a specially designed clasp that pops open under your cat’s body weight. This means they won’t choke if the collar gets snagged on a branch while out exploring. 

Lots of enrichment, like getting to explore the outdoors, is vital to a cat’s well-being. Just like giving them good quality food. Give your kitten the energy to explore and play all day with fresh kitten food from KatKin. Made with 100% human-quality meat, gently cooked to preserve all those good nutrients, our irresistible kitten food will make them come running home at dinner time – it’s just that good.