When to let your kittens go outside for the first time

What age can kittens go outside? Kittens are curious about everything and that includes the great outdoors. New cat owners often worry about what age kittens should be let outside, in this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the timing and preparation required to ensure a positive experience for the kittens and everyone else involved. This article will inform you about the reasons why you should wait a little longer to let your kitten outside, when kittens can go outside safely and how to prepare for their first trip outdoors, to help ensure your kitten’s first big trip outdoors goes smoothly.  

At what age can kittens go outside?

When can kittens go outside? We advise kittens to be kept indoors until they are at least 6 months old to safeguard them from harm. Kittens are very vulnerable to predators, illness, and hazards before this age, especially newborns. Kittens have to develop strong immunity, coordination, and strength before being allowed outdoors.

Infectious diseases are a great risk to young kittens so veterinary professionals will recommend that kittens are not allowed outdoors before a week after their last kitten vaccination. The series of kitten vaccines is usually completed at 12 weeks of age, in which case the kitten will be 13-14 weeks old when it is considered fully protected.  However, a 14-week-old kitten is still small and very young to be outdoors, so any access outside must be supervised and done securely for only short bursts of time. This will allow the kitten to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors slowly but surely. 

Why it’s important to wait before letting kittens go outside

What age can kittens go outside safely? Veterinarians typically recommend waiting until vaccinations and flea treatments are complete before you start letting your kitten outdoors. Kittens are susceptible to diseases like cat flu, FIV, and FELV. Younger kittens are not equipped to handle risks such as predators, traffic, and other outdoor dangers. It's always better to be safe than risk your kitten getting lost or injured, cold or frightened.

Signs your kitten is ready to go outside

Is it safe to let my 6-month-old kitten outside? Kittens are free-spirited animals, however, they all develop at different paces, and it can be difficult to tell when they are ready for the great outdoors. We have put together all the telltale signs to look for that let you know when your kittens can go outside safely. 

• What age can kittens go outside? Once they are fully vaccinated and have reached 6 months of age. Kittens will let you know they are ready to go outside by showing curiosity about the outdoors. If they are very comfortable and calm exploring indoor spaces, this is also a good sign. 
• Making sure that your kitten can respond to their name before letting them outdoors is helpful, this ensures they will return home when called for dinner. Treats can help with this training!
• Your kitten’s strength and coordination also need to be highly developed before they start exploring the great outdoors. They need to be able to climb and navigate well to avoid nasty falls. 

How to prepare your kitten for the outdoors

Your 6-month-old kitten is ready to go outside, how can you best prepare? Leash training is a great way to safely introduce your kitten to the outside world. This way they can get used to their surroundings before they set off on their own, taking in all the sights and smells. It is also a good idea to ensure that you supervise their first few trips into the garden to observe how your kitten reacts to their surroundings. After some exposure therapy, you can slowly increase the amount of time they spend outdoors, starting with short visits and building up gradually. 

Safety tips for your kittens first time outside

Make sure to check out these safety tips before you let your 6-month-old kitten outdoors. 

• Before letting your kitten outdoors, it’s important to ensure they have a microchip and a collar with an ID tag. In England, it is now a legal requirement to microchip your cat and register them on a national database which is accessible to your vet. Remember, any changes to address or contact details must be updated with the microchip database company to ensure you are reunited should the cat be found away from home!
• It’s also a great idea to take your kitten outside in daylight during calm, quieter times to avoid overwhelming them with noise or traffic. This could cause them to run off before they are ready to navigate their way home. 
• Check the outdoor spaces you’re exploring for hazards or areas where the kittens could escape or hurt themselves.
• Installing a cat flap is a great idea when you're ready to allow your kitten constant access to the outdoors. 

What to expect when you let your kitten go outside

During: Kittens will be overjoyed during their first trip outdoors, taking in all the sights and smells for the first time. Their senses will be stimulated, and they will be engaging in natural cat behaviours. You will find them exploring, exercising, playing, hunting and climbing around outdoors. 

After: Kittens may need extra rest time after all that excitement outdoors, alternatively they may appear energised by the experience and visibly happy! 

When to let your kittens outside for the first time? Summary

What age should kittens be let outside? Once they are fully vaccinated and have reached 6 months of age, it is generally considered safe to let your kitten outside. However, timing and preparation are required to ensure they stay safe. Make sure to revisit our safety tips before you let your kitten outdoors. After some exposure therapy, you can slowly increase the amount of time they spend outdoors, starting with short visits and building up gradually. 

Looking for more information about cat breeds? Check out our detailed page dedicated to teaching you everything you need to know about different cat breeds. 

When to let your kittens outside for the first time? - FAQs

Can I take my 8 week old kitten outside?

No, it is not safe to take an 8 week old kitten outside. Veterinarians typically recommend waiting until your kitten is at least 6 months old, after vaccinations and flea treatments are completed. Younger kittens are not equipped to handle outdoor risks such as predators, traffic, diseases or parasites and it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. 

When can you introduce kittens to outside?

Veterinarians typically recommend waiting until your kitten is 6 months old after vaccinations and flea treatments are completed, before letting them outside for the first time. Younger kittens are not equipped to handle outdoor risks such as predators, traffic, diseases or parasites. Kittens need to develop strong immunity, coordination, and strength before being allowed outdoors.

How long should a kitten stay indoors?

Veterinarians typically recommend that kittens should stay indoors until they are at least 6 months old after vaccinations and flea treatments are completed. Kittens are very vulnerable to predators, illness, and hazards before this age, especially newborns. Kittens need to develop strong immunity, coordination, and strength before being allowed outdoors.