When to let a kitten outdoors?

[sarah5]

My kitten has only been with us for 4 days but he is quite confident and adventurous and sits watching the "great outdoors" for hours bless him! He is not yet vaccinated or neutered (he is 16 weeks).. I am going to get all these things done in about 4-6 weeks when he is old enough for neutering and when I have saved up the money for the vaccinations (£75 aaaargh!)..

.. am I right in assuming I SHOULD NOT let him out until all those things have been done?

(Sorry I think this is very naive to be asking, I think I am right but just want to double check - thanks!!)

[Tom]

I would probably say keep him in until he has had them done just to be safe really

[MrsH]

Glad that you're enjoying having a kitten, they're fascinating to watch and play with and it's so easy to spend hours and hours this way!

About going outside, I would certainly wait quite some time yet, at least until after his injections have taken effect. Is there no way you can manage the money for the injections sooner rather than later? You may be running the risk of him venturing outside anyway, slipping out of the door, and picking up potentially fatal diseases.

[Emm]

I wouldn't let them out until they are about 7 months old - that way they have had all their injections and been neutered.

[dinahsmum]

I'd keep him in till he's had his vax and neutered too. You could take him out in ypour arms now, so he can look around and not be terrified when the big day comes. Once he's had his vax, he could go out as long as you're there to watch him and call him back.
PS - vax shouldn't be as much as £75......... or is that vax + neuter?

[sarah5]

Yes I think I agree with you all, definitely will wait. He is not exactly pining to go out, just seems really keen that's all!

And yes I have been quoted £75 for kitten vaccinations, that does not include anything else, just the vaccinations - perhaps I should "shop around" (if that's possible with vets?!)

[Fran]

Definitely needs keeping in until after he has had a full course of vaccinations. That does seem very steep for a course of vaccs, I'd definitely shop around!

[alexgirl73]

£75!!!!!!! That's waaaaay expensive. I mean the vet beside me only charges £32 for a full course and at the moment is doing them for the price of a booster, £21!

[sarah5]

Originally Posted by alexgirl73

£75!!!!!!! That's waaaaay expensive. I mean the vet beside me only charges £32 for a full course and at the moment is doing them for the price of a booster, £21!

YOU ARE JOKING????? Gosh I wonder why my vets are so pricey then.. and I got 2 quotes (both £75) how bizarre.. I will continue to look around then, it sounds as though I may have been misquoted.. gosh I could gather together £30 odd pounds much much quicker!

[sarah5]

Hmm I wonder which vaccinations are required? Here are the prices.. I assume I would need flu, enteritus and leukaemia - what do you all think?

Complete kitten course of vaccinations (Flu, Enteritis & Leukaemia): £74.00

Complete kitten course of vaccinations (Flu & Enteritis): £41.50

Complete kitten course of vaccinations (Leukaemia): £38.00