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

paddypaws101

I would make up a nice cosy bed in the shed for the cat...a cardboard box with a cheapo fleece lining it. After all...they haven't got fur coats for nothing!

[Deleted User]

Poor little mite! I'd definitely set up a refuge in the shed, overnight temperatures are regularly getting down to -2 now.. he might have lots of fur but he could still suffer if exposed for too long. The shed and a few blankets should raise the temperature enough and if you're really concerned, you could always run a small fan heater in there too.

And we don't let our cats stay out at night either, it would scare me to death. They're at risk from traffic, foxes, teenagers...! and it's easy to train them to come back; we just don't feed them too much during the day, and give them nothing before we send them out. They always come trotting back a few hours later for some food and a nice safe nap indoors.

Mrs_PI

Could you not put a cat flap in the shed?

I brought and built a shed and it's only use is for cats. I had a cat flap fitted and put a plastic unit in it and beds etc and the cats use it all the time

I have to say the cats were strays and now after 2 years I consider them mine, I even have mirror film on the windows so they can see out but can't be seen in there.

I would love to have them inside but my 10 year old Border Collie tries to kill them on sight

HRV

When we lived in private rented I got mine a cat kennel each- they were 40n quid off ebay- made by a nice local man. It was a little kennel on feet for warmth with a cat flap. I carpetted it inside and put their fleeces in there- could you try that.

UKTigerlily

Could you put a catflap in the window? This is what i'm doing, there's a microchip catflap & it can go in a pane of glass, then when I move I just swap that pane for the original one with no hole in & it's as when I moved in. Tess has a ramp anyway from the window as she's got Arthritis so right now she just knocks on the window to come back in when she's out overnight & her servant (Me) gets up to let her back in! Of course this may not work if you're above ground floor lol

billy858

Just another thought, but are you sure it's 'out' all night. I used to worry about my old cat when it went out at night, until a neighbour told me he used to go in through their cat flap and sleep on her front room sofa along with her cat. She didn't mind - he was no trouble! It was a while before I found out though.

creased-leach

I'm sure your cat will be fine- they survive outside in far harsher climes than ours.

beks

Personally, I wouldn't want my cat out at night at all. I used to think we lived in a very quiet and safe area until one of our cats got run over. Believe me, it can happen anywhere. Anyway, as for the weather, although I am sure your cat is adaptable and used to being outside, however, if I were you, I would want it to have some secure to go if it were scared or cold etc. I wouldnt be able to sleep if my cat were outside all night but then again, you may get more sleep with it outside than with your dog being cooped up! Good luck, I hope you find a compromise!!

Ruby_Moon

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.

A cat is more likely to be run over during the day when there are more cars about. A cat is safest outside at night for several reasons.
1. Less cars.
2. Less bad cat hating people about.
3. Cats are more aware at night.
4. They are nocturnal.

Are you saying that you never let your cat out?

OP. As for being out in the cold, the cat will not mind one little bit. He will love it! We do have a tendency to put ourselves in our pets position. WE wouldn't like to be out all night, so a cat wouldn't. We are wrong to do that because they are so much different to us.
They don't feel the cold as we do.
They don't feel pain as we do either.

paddypaws101

I agree with Ruby Moon that cats often like to be out at night. Ok my present lot are a pathetic bunch of pampered pensioners and fight me for pillow space...but in years gone by our cats went out and stayed out whatever the weather. I think settiing up a nice cosy bed in the shed is a fine idea...but whoever suggested putting a FAN HEATER out there is crazy! ( in the nicest possible sense )