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

paddypaws101

Gosh...these questions do get an emotional response don't they?
Here's a suggestion....why not put the DOG out....it:rotfl: is a Husky after all!

( Typed by my cat.......)

chez22

paddypaws101 wrote: »

Gosh...these questions do get an emotional response don't they?
Here's a suggestion....why not put the DOG out....it:rotfl: is a Husky after all!

( Typed by my cat.......)

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::T:T brilliant

Chinkle

If I may wade in here:

We have a cat flap and I can conclusively say that our cat is out much less often in the cold and never at night. As others have said they have become incredibly domesticated over many centuries of being pets. They would much rather be asleep in the warmest spot possible. In our case that means going to bed with us and staying there all night.

Also, more cats are killed by cars at night not because they can't see in the dark but because drivers can't see them.

For OP, I think a box and a blanket in the shed is an absolute must, so they have somewhere to nap both from the cold and rain. Perhaps I can start another debate - in my opinion - no cat likes the rain!!

chez22

Chinkle I agree totally with everything you've said. Except the bit about cats not liking rain, one of mine absolutely loves it. I've been owned by loads of cats over the years but never one that wanted to get totally soaked on a regular basis, and then get into bed with me so I'm soaked too :mad::D

lilibeth

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

cats are diurnal not nocturnal, and it is widely accepted that animals such as cats and dogs feel pain as we do but are less inclined to diplay it. An acute sense of pain is an important survival mechanism.

You have to consider that we are also more self protecting after an operationn, not just due to pain, but because we understand what has happened, and are inclined to pre-empt and avoid any addition injury or stress to the area, whereas an animal does not have that knowledge or self awareness. (A cat will never think 'I must be careful to avoid getting in positions which strain my stitches, for example!) Nothing to do with how acute it's sense of pain is though.

I was going to post something similar but you said it much better than I could. Any vet will tell you that a cat will sometimes hide pain until it is unbearable simply because instinct tells them not to show any sign of weakness.

Fritillary

I literally have to shoehorn my cats out in this weather, they loathe it. I actually caught one of them getting ready to have a wee on the mat next to the back door rather than go outside! They areout 5 mins tops and then straight back in. In the summer I hardly see them one day to the next they spend so much time outdoors.

I have a ferel cat that I fed every night I try to encourage him to stay in for a bit but once hes eaten and had a wash by the fire, hes off, I guess its just what he's used to, you just can't control cats, there their own bosses.

Incidently, my neighbour has huskies (they live outside) and one day her lovely soppy persian cat decided to take a stroll through their pen and one of them killed it. She no longer owns cats.

stargaze_3

There is a pretty Ginger cat ( sadly no owner ) who had no form of shelter, living outside, and sleeping under our front hedge. - with the weather dropping down so cold now I have been worried about him, - I can't take him in because I have a cat of my own, and have also taken in 2 abandoned cats. It isn't so much the cost of feeding, but - vets bills that is the problem. But I'm trying to help him the best I can, so I have made him a small shelter outside my door, that is water and windproof, inside it I have put newspapers, then old woollie's to help keep him warm during these icy cold days and nights. Since putting this shelter out for him, he never goes under the cold damp hedge anymore, but snuggles up in the box, day and night. So at least he is out of the wind and rain now. We also put some food out close by twice a day, morning and night, so I hope he will be alright.- Stargaze

zartub

Morgan_Ree wrote: »

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?

posting rubbish like this ITS A CAT MUPPETT NOT A HUMAN BEING !!!!!!!!!!

beks

^^^^^^^^^ One to ignore!
As for the topic, I agree with what Chinkle said. All the cats I have ever had (even our semi ferral one) would much rather be inside somewhere warm rather than go outside in the cold. None of them went out much at night, if they did they would generally be in within 5 minutes. None would ever choose to be out on a cold night. Early evening yes which was their time for catching mice and rats but all would normally be in by 11pm.

laurauk

yes cats do feel the cold and they feel heat just like humans,
my kitty loves to spend the summer days outside in the garden, but when the winter comes, she wont put a paw outside the door,
if you dont believe me, go spend a few hours in the snow and see how your butt likes it? yes i know we dont have a furry one, well i dont