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Letting a teenaged pedigree cat loose in the world for the first time

7 replies

LackaDAISYcal · 03/12/2011 16:07

We got a lovely cream spotted tabby British Shorthand boy a few months ago. He is now neutered, chipped, insured and his jabs are up to date. He is now 7 months old and is desperate to get outside, but it's such a long time since I had a kitten that I have no idea about letting him out. Although a pedigree, he isn't on the active register as he has odd, non symmetrical markings, wonky teeth, so he didn't cost a huge amount, but he's the first pedigree cat I've had and would hate for him to go missing or have an accident on the road (we have a busy main road at the end of our cul de sac).
But.....he is getting a bit stir crazy and is a big boy who likes to run, climb and swing from the curtains and is starting to drive us bonkers.
He's been out accidentally a few times but has lurked under the car and had to be enticed out (always when it rains!!) and has been in the back garden once or twice when we got him in August, but only for five minutes at a time.
hould I let him out? and if so, what's the best way of going about it?

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Catsmamma · 03/12/2011 16:09

Don't give him his breakfast and don't let him out till lunchtime! Make sure you are out and about so he can hear you in the garden and early tea to tempt him home again! :D

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LackaDAISYcal · 03/12/2011 16:35

Thanks catsmamma :) Not feeding him would never have even occurred to me...and I've grown up round cats and had my own cats pretty much all my adult life!

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LackaDAISYcal · 03/12/2011 16:37

Just realise my OP says Shorthand!
Shorthair obv!
Am I being precious about the pedigree thing?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 03/12/2011 16:43

Prob a bit PFC yes.

I grew up with 3 white chinchillas (you didnt wear black in my house twice) and a ginger persian and a tortie moggie.

Never got stolen etc, my bengal goes out. I fret until he comes home and DH can be seen walking around our close at 1am in the summer with a torch looking for him while I've gone to bed. I always wonder if anyone call the police if I will admit to knowing him.

I did the whole sending him out hungry too, seemed to work. Then he discovered mice and rabbits so some days he comes home not hungry and with blood all over his paws.

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LackaDAISYcal · 03/12/2011 17:29

:o at PFC
Will try the send him out hungry tactic
Thanks :)

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tabulahrasa · 04/12/2011 22:57

'Am I being precious about the pedigree thing?'

Little bit, yeah :) lol, my Siamese goes out - and she's very obviously a pedigree, lol I'd like to see anyone catch her seeing as I can't if she's not ready to come in, rofl.

Let him out hungry, go out with him, then feed him, do that for a while, then call him in and feed him...mine come in if I shout them because they know they're getting fed, lol.

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Lizcat · 05/12/2011 14:55

I always let my cats out 1 hour before a meal for the first time. Word of warning my gorgeous posh boy a seal point British Shorthair (the poshest of all colours the holy grail of the breeder) is the most prolific killer I have ever owned. He does kill to eat, just for the pure joy of killing current record is 5 rats in one day!

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