Kitten Wants to Go Outside

So you’ve got yourself a cute kitten (A family friend just recently adopted one, a cute little tabby)

And they are so cute and hyper!

I remember my Tigger when he was small – boy he would chase anything and everything (Now he’s nearly 15 years old!)

I’m sure you’re having so much fun with your furbaby

Problem is, kitten wants to go outside and it keeps meowing by the door

I know what you’re thinking

My Kitten wants to go outside, what should I do?

Do you let your little kitty outside?

Well..

A cat roaming freely is at risk of contracting infections as well as dangers like road accidents, poisonous substances, or potential cat-haters.

So, letting your kitten outdoors, that too unsupervised, is nothing short of a horror story. 

In this article you’re going to learn all about the risks and danger of letting your kitten outside 

Especially as they are still young

Carry on reading to understand and learn why your kitten may want to go outside and what you should do

Very important topics are going to be discussed

Sound good?

Let’s get started…

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Is It Okay To Let My Kitten Outside?

Only if you accompany your kitten.

You see, even though a cat normally lives outdoors, that doesn’t mean it is safe.

A feral cat is likely to have unpredictable and harsh circumstances.

For instance:

1. Traffic accidents and perilous building sites.
2. Encounters with hostile animals like coyotes, dogs, and other cats.
3. Unavailability of food or water.
4. Rodenticide-exposed poisonous rats.
5. Cat-haters and psychopaths.

While an adult cat may be capable of handling such situations, but a kitten may not.

And so, letting your kitten go outside alone is not okay.

I know your kitten really wants to go outside

And hearing your little furbaby meow in that sweet tone can be difficult to say no to

But it’s important you stay firm

You may be wondering..

Why Does My Kitten Keep Trying to Go Outside?

The precise reason may vary, but this usually involves:

1. Curiosity

Cats are natural explorers and so, they tend to wander a lot.

You would find them in the most unlikely of places like shelves of a cupboard, inside your laundry.

Thus,

A kitten is bound to be curious about the outside world, sooner or later.

2. Breeding Instincts

If a kitten is un-neutered and has only recently started to express aggression, then, it may be experiencing puberty.

And so, it will try to escape outside just to find a mate. 

A male cat shows aggression by scratching and urinating on all sorts of furniture and places.

This way he will spread its pheromones, attracting all female cats around the vicinity. 

While a female cat on heat will be relatively gentle, yet it will leave no opportunity to escape outside.

Even a cat as young as three months can go through maturity.

So, it’s best to get your kitten neutered or spayed as soon as possible.

3. Boredom

If you had to live in one room for your entire life, you will grow weary.

Similarly, a cat living without enough mental or physical stimulation may get bored and try to go outside just to find some new activity. 

Here’s an article I wrote which you check out by clicking the link below

Fun things to do with your cat at home 

4. Other Reasons

A kitten may try to leave your place because:

1. It is an adopted kitten. And so, it used to live outdoors before coming to your place.  
2. It can smell food from nearby places.
3. It senses birds, rodents, or other prey animals.

Sometimes, even neutered cats try to go outside if they hear other cats. 

Probably to socialize and have literal “Kitty Parties”. 

Jokes aside, all these reasons are valid motives to go outside.

Okay so now we know why your kitten may want to go outside 

Let’s look at how you can stop your kitten from going outside

How Can I Stop My Kitten from Going Outside?

Technically, you cannot. 

You can only reduce the chances of your kitten going outside by following these steps:

1. Getting your cat interactive toys like a laser and peeking fake-bird.
2. Setting up a cat tree or pole, to let your kitten scratch, climb and play freely.
3. Cat-proofing your place and raising your garden fences.
4. Establishing a cat-play area in your house lawn or living room
5. Bringing in more cats for your kitten to hang out.
6. Taking your kitten outside for regular walks.
7. Distracting your cat with treats while opening the doors or getting a cat-detergent that automatically sprays water whenever your cat tries to escape.

Still, cat-butlers often feel guilty about keeping their kittens inside.

But here’s the thing

You can keep your kitten busy and entertained at home

How?

Have a read of my article – How to keep a house cat entertained 

And so, they tend to ask:

Will My Kitten Run Away If I Let it Outside?

Only a few kittens tend to flee.

But,

Odds are your kitten will try to return home to you.

However, a kitten running away is the least of your worries.

The more troubling is the idea that your kitten didn’t make it home, because it couldn’t outrun some threat.

So, maybe that kitten you lost is stuck in a bush and can’t make it back home.

Maybe it is too hungry to move, or it ate a poisonous rat.

Maybe it got into an accident or worst, it landed in the hands of a sadistic cat-hater.

So,

You will be lucky if you find the fate of your lost kitten.

Otherwise, you may never know if your cat is even alive. 

But there is always a chance that your kitten is waiting for you, under some tree shade.

And perhaps, your kitten couldn’t come back, because it doesn’t know where your place is.

So, familiarizing your cat with the outside world is also a good plan.

But only when they can protect themselves.

Related article – Will my cat come back if I let him outside 

When they are a kitten you should keep them indoors

The risk is too great to let them out and about as you just read

Last thing you want is your kitten to run away and never coming back

I personally think even when they get older, keep them indoors

The outdoors can be dangerous for your cat

At least if they are indoors you know they are safe

But if you are adamant to let your kitten go out 

You need to know what age can be considered to be “safe”

What Age Should Kittens be Let Outside?

You can let your eight-month-old kitten outside, but never before getting it neutered.

If your area is safe for cats, then you can let your 6-months-old kitten out.

But, allowing your 3-month-old kitten to roam spontaneously, is not okay.

That said, if you live in a place surrounded by cat predators, I advise you to take your kitten outside only when it’s 1-year-old and when you can keep a tight watch.

I suggest the following:

1. Install a cat-flap-gate and keep it locked every night.
2. Leash train your cat and walk her outside at least for 2 months before letting it go alone. 
3. Make sure to not let your cat go outside more than 30-minutes at a time.
4. I would not recommend a collar, as it may get your cat stuck somewhere. But microchip your cat or get a cat-jacket with your contact information. So, your cat may always find its way back home. 

Wrapping Up 

Your kitten is bound to be curious about the outside world, either out of boredom or to find a mate.

You cannot completely stop your cat from going outside, so you should take your 8-months old kitten outside, but under your supervision.

Cats don’t usually run away.

But the risk is very great

Keeping your cat indoors is the safest option because you know when you’re at work or when you’re sleeping your little furbaby is all curled up beside you or napping stretched out wide on the couch

And that I believe is the most important thing