First steps outdoors

I t is safe for a kitten to take his first steps outside once he has completed his course of injections, at around 12 to 13 weeks. If you have just brought

Your garden will open up a whole new world to your kitten. It’ll be rather overwhelming initially, so go out with him for short periods to start off with. Play with him and build his confidence, making sure he knows where the back door is so he can dash back in if he wants to.

Make your outdoor space as safe as possible for your kitten’s adventures before you take him out. Look for the potential dangers — the places he could become trapped or items that could cause injury. Have a tidy up and remove any potential hazards.The average garden will be a natural playground for a kitten; one that will excite his instincts to chase prey — and that could be flying insects like bees and butterflies, as well as birds.

The thrill of the chase is irresistible, and the satisfaction in the successful catch can, for some, be addictive.Your kitten’s ancestors descended from the North African wildcat and shares him home, allow him a couple of weeks to settle in. Many people also wisely choose to wait until their pet is neutered before they go outside.

some elements of their behaviour and physiology.

Like all species of cat, the domestic cat is a carnivore and has inherited a drive to hunt.They are ‘designed’ to be predators, and armed with good eyesight, teeth, claws, and turn of speed to ensure success.You only have to watch them in action with their toys to see that the moves are those of a natural hunter. It may sound counter-intuitive, but the more birds you attract to your garden with feeders, the safer they’ll be as they’ll warn one another of the presence of a cat!

Be aware that, no matter what your cat’s breed, even the fluffy, laid-back types can be hunters at heart, and you could find yourself searching neighbours’ gardens after your kitty has gone off exploring.

There will be trees to climb, fences and shed roofs to scale, and ponds to fish in. Be prepared for some heart-stopping moments!