Is it ok for my cat to be out at night in this weather?

Morgan_Ree

My cat usually only comes in during the day and goes back out at night
One reason he's stays out is because he usually wants to, the other reason is because I have a dog who would love to eat the cat given half the chance so when in the house they have to be kept seperated or atleast have someone in the room with the 2 of them.

Anyway the last few nights have been literally freezing and I feel terrible when I put him out

Are cats ok when it comes to coping with the cold weather?

cyberbob

Cats are OK with cold weather if they are used to it. As long as they have access back in if they need it but by your post it sounds like you put him out but he can't get back in? What happens if he is scared or spooked he is unable to get back home. Also how do you know he wants to stay out all night if he can;t get back in? If you are unable to have a cat flap maybe make access for him to an outbuilding for shelter. We have feral cats in the past that we have given a sanctuary in an outbuilding. Although more cats are killed due to car accidents at night which is more of a worry. We have never let any of our non feral outdoor cats stay out at night.

Most dogs can be trained to not go for the resident cat even if they don't like each other. It can take a bit of time but its doable. I would try and work on that

gemstars

Personally I don't let my cats out overnight regardelss of the weather, I'd be up all night worrying about them.

If you prefer him out then as the cyberbob says I'd make sure he has access to shelter.

Morgan_Ree

I don't have a catflap and can't get one put in (it's a privatly rented house and the owner doesn't want one)
When I say he usually wants to go out I mean he sits at the door waiting to be let out

There is a shed in the garden which I could leave open slightly for him get in and out
Do you think this would be enough?

With regard to the dog I appreciate the most can be trained to get along with a cat but because of the breed she is, it's not always possible
She's not aggresive around him or constantly going for him, it's just that the breed is well known not to be trusted around small animals

LittleMissAspie

Could you shut the dog and cat in separate rooms at night?

Like cyberbob says, I'd be more worried about him getting run over than getting cold.

Edit: You can get a cat flap as long as you put everything back the way it was when you move out.

elaina79

I have 2 cats. 1 of them is always out and only comes in to get fed. My other cat stays in for a while but if you shut the door he cries. He has always been out even on the coldest of weather. They will always find somehwere to shelter. I have my old rabbit hutch with the doors off that he goes in for shelter if its wet or cold.

Morgan_Ree

LittleMissAspie wrote: »

Could you shut the dog and cat in separate rooms at night?

Like cyberbob says, I'd be more worried about him getting run over than getting cold.

Edit: You can get a cat flap as long as you put everything back the way it was when you move out.

I'm not worried about him getting run over at all. When he's out he spends most of his time in the garden or the field at the back of my house (I've yet to see him on the road)

I'll try shutting them in seperate rooms tonight
I've tried it a few times before but one or both usually ends up crying all night (the dogs used to having ther un of downstairs at night and the cats not used to being shut in)
I'll give it another go and see how they get on

jennihen

Our cat stays out overnight (especially when there's a full moon) but now the weather is getting colder he prefers to be under my duvet. Kitten is only 4 months so she only goes out in garden when someone can be there to keep on eye on her.
How comfortable is your cat around the dog? And when do you feed him?

Morgan_Ree

He takes no notice of the dog at all
He gets fed twice a day. At night it's about 6ish

huskypup

Not sure what type of breed of dog you have, but we have three siberian huskies and they are not known for liking small animals either but saying that we have four cats, they can be trained, we shut the dogs in the kitchen at night time and leave a small window open so the cats can come and go as they please.

If you have a dog like a husky you have to dominate them not the other way around, give the cat more fuss when the dogs are around - you are in charge.

I to would panic if any of my cats were outside at night time - mine also go out last thing at night as they don't like using a litter tray unless they have to, they like my rose patch!! - I leave them out then call them back in before I go to bed - if they go out of the window thats different as they know its open and know they can get back in through it.

Morgan_Ree

huskypup wrote: »

Not sure what type of breed of dog you have, but we have three siberian huskies and they are not known for liking small animals either but saying that we have four cats, they can be trained, we shut the dogs in the kitchen at night time and leave a small window open so the cats can come and go as they please.

If you have a dog like a husky you have to dominate them not the other way around, give the cat more fuss when the dogs are around - you are in charge.

I to would panic if any of my cats were outside at night time - mine also go out last thing at night as they don't like using a litter tray unless they have to, they like my rose patch!! - I leave them out then call them back in before I go to bed - if they go out of the window thats different as they know its open and know they can get back in through it.

Yeah I've got a siberian husky
She's nearly 7 so I'm well aware of the need to show her who's boss, however I would still not trust her to be left alone with the cat no matter what

I'm just going to try shutting them in seperate rooms tonight
I think it's the dogs thats going to be the problem tbh!! She's got a crate but the doors always open for her to go in and out, and she's had the run of downstairs since she was a puppy
She won't be best impressed abot being shut in all night!