Keeping a cat in at night!

MoodyMand45

Is it possible to keep a cat in a conservatory on winter nights in particular, i don't have any cat flaps because the cat belonged to another neighbour who left in a hurry leaving it behind. I used to have two cats which always went out at night but this cat was crying to come in last winter but the only problem is she likes to come in and out quite regularly which is is a nuisance when you need to sleep.
If i leave her in the house she wants to come into the bedroom and my hubby does not like animals in peoples beds, If i lock her in the conservatory i worry she might want to get out in the night or scratch something.
Is there a good way of training them and maybe getting a litter tray etc!

Robin9

Mine comes in and out via a downstairs bathroom window -  a gentle squeak as they walk by to say "I'm in" or "Just going out for a while"

Bradden

Why not just install a flap?

sheramber

Cats naturally hunt at dawn and dusk. Many cats are active during the night. 

If she has been used to going in and out at night for years it will difficult to change her habits.

Easier to provide with a means to come in and go out as she wants.- either a cat flap or an open window.

if your previous cats went out at night why are you concerned that she will get out?

TripleH

Another vote for a window depending on how high they can jump.

Worst mistake of my life as a cat owner was bringing our tiny kitten to sleep in our bed on her first night because I thought our older cat would get brave and go hunt the kitten at night.

2 more cats added and they all sleep on me, which considering one is a maine coon and the others are Burmese has backfired horribly.

TBagpuss

I think she will get into the habit of remaining in at night if you don't want to install a cat flap.(and you can get flaps which can be programmed to limit when she can go in or out, as well.

It would make sense to provide her with a litter tray if you keep her in at night. She may not use it , but if it is available is less likely to make messes. 

She may want to go out, particularly if she is used to being out at night, however, with a bit of patience, you'll probably be able to get her in the habit of staying in.

Feeding her and playing with her in the evening just before you go to bed may help.

Initially she may try to get out so if you have carpets she may scratch at these by the doors - you may want to consider taping down some fairly heavy duty plastic to prevent carpet damage, if you have carpets. 

I don't normally have my cats in the bedroom at night and have found that if there are two doors between us that works quite well. If it's just the bedroom door they will call and scratch to be let in, but if I also close the hall door they don't - I'm not sure why, perhaps I'm no longer close enough for them to think it's worth while, or for them to be sure where I am to demand to come in,  but it's worked with 4 different cats so far! 

Alternatively, is having a cat flap put in an option? You can get ones which can be coded to her microchip or collar so other cats can't get in.

Another option might be for her to go out at night but for you to ensure that she has suitable shelter for the night -  we used at one time to have a cat who had a catflap into the shed, and a bed there (It was a wooden box with a cushion and blanket, raised off the ground to be out of drafts, and deep enough to feel safe and let him have a cozy 'nest' )