Apologies as this has probably been discussed at length but I am not a regular reader of these forums but thought some of you may be able to help. Our new cat (Approx 5 months old, female, spayed and chipped) hates going outside. She will never go out voluntarily and has to be carried out and then sits immediately outside the door meeowing until let in or runs under the decking. I am afraid she will associate the outside as punishment as she has to be forcibly taken outside but I am determined she is not going to be a house cat. We have a large garden with lots of shelter which is ideal for her so any tips on getting her to go out would be most welcome.
Many thanks

In this weather I'm not too keen on going out either!
I'd install a catflap, teach her how it works and then leave her to it. Cats do what they want - you'll probably find she'll suddenly decide she loves it out and will be out all weathers.
She will probably be keener once the rest of her family start using the garden too - she's probably a bit upset being the only one dumped out there when everyone else is inside!

I completely agree with Shrike. I would definitely wait until Spring before forcing your poor cat outside. Once you and your family are outside too the cat will enjoy being out there and will gradually gain enough confidence to go out by itself via a cat flap. I love cat flaps because they allow cats to make their own choices on where they want to be.

My first cat started going outside at quite a young age, once she had been fully vaccinated, but I made sure I was outside with her and it was at Autumn time so the weather was mild. I installed a cat flap once she had been neutered but it took a good few weeks before she would use it when I wasn't at home. One of my current cats was 'forced' outside by his original owner every night with the cat flap locked - once I took him I gave him free choice to do what he wanted and he became more or less a house cat with just brief forays outside to toilet, he has no interest in exploring or hunting. He probably has bad memories of when he was forced outside. I have 3 cats in total now and only one of them spends more than about 10 minutes outside at this time of year though they all obviously like to be outside, for much longer periods, when the weather is warm, the doors are open and I am in and out of the garden myself.

So, definitely wait until the weather warms up and never force the cat outside, let it want to follow you outside and then spend some time outside yourself, perhaps playing a bit (I use twigs for my cats to chase). You need to make the outdoors a pleasurable experience for your poor little cat, who at only 5 months, is still a baby.

Thanks for the tips although a cat flap would be ideal there isn't really anywhere to fit one in the house easily except through the middle of new double glazed patio doors and I'm not keen on that solution. We have made some progress today however. While I was outside doing a spot of gardening I left the door open and put her food, water and tray outside and with the help of some encouraging noises she did venture out voluntarily although not for very long, she did wander down off the decking and explore a bit.

To be fair, apart from the crap weather she's probably scared! Don't force her into anything. If she sits by a window or door, open it and give her a choice. But please don't move her food/water/litter around. They need to be in one place (indoors).

Our cat has only left the house when I have just this past few weeks. To the bin, garage or shed. The rest of the time she is sat on the window ledge watching the world go by. The longest time she spent out side was when we changed the tyre on the car the other day. Do you blame them it's freezing out there lol

Erm, they do have a coat of fur for a reason

You sound like my fella lol.

BIB - its because you were out there that she felt confident/curious enough to venture out herself. My cat is very much an outdoor girl who wanders way out of the garden. But if I'm gardening I can be pretty sure she'll soon turn up to 'supervise' me
You can get cat flaps that come with a tunnel section so the flap can be installed in a wall. Another possibility would be in a window if the cat can easily get up to the window on both sides.
I have a flap as I live alone and go out to work, but if there is usually someone around to act as the cats' doorperson you don't really need one.