Should I let my two rescue cats go outside, I have read lots

Hi, Welcome to JustAnswer. I am a licensed veterinarian and I'm happy to help you Lupo and Orso. This is a great question and several things need to be considered. First these guys need to be neutered 6-8 weeks before going outdoors. Cats that aren't neutered instinctually will seek out unspayed females and often end up in fights, are run over by cars, are exposed to different diseases, and sometimes get lost. I imagine they are already neutered, so it is very important to wait the 6-8 weeks afterward to allow all testosterone to be eliminated from the blood stream.

Secondly, you want to make sure that indoor/outdoor kitties are protected from ectoparasites (like fleas and ticks) and are receiving heartworm preventative if that is recommended by your vet there in your area.

Thirdly, you don't want to let kitties outdoors until you are 100% convinced that they call your home their home. . .that they know where their food is and are part of your family.

Finally, you need to consider your outdoor environment. Do you live near a busy street? Are their dogs roaming in your neighborhood? Are your neighbors amenable to having outdoor cats around? Are their wild animals that could harm or kill your cats. . .coyotes, mountain lions, etc? (I live in the mountain foothills of the Sierra Nevada, for example, so have to consider this.

I hope you find this approach comforting and it makes your decision less confusing. Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments. Thank you. . .Dr. Barbara

It seems on my screen that you are trying to type without much success. I'll switch us to the Q&A mode to see if that helps.