Cat wants to stay out at nights

[Judydreamsofhorses]

We adopted our beautiful cat just over a year ago. She had previously largely been a house cat, with limited access to a small, enclosed garden. After a month or so we started letting her out, and while it took her a while to get it, she soon enjoyed the outdoors. We have a big garden, and she doesn’t roam beyond the immediate neighbours. She’s gone from spending her time indoors curled up by the radiator to wanting to be out all the time - she chases moths at dusk, and watches the birds, but mainly she just sits or sleeps in our garden. We don’t have a cat flap as we have a utility room between the kitchen and back door, and last night she was so reluctant to come in that I had to physically carry her inside.

My DP says to leave her and lock the kitchen door but prop the back door open, and leave food/water in the utility room. I worry this is cruel. I’m a teacher so off work until mid August (Scotland) but DP is up at about 6.30 for work. Usually she is inside between 8 - 5.30, then potters in and out in the evenings, always in at night. Last night’s battle has prompted this post. WWYD?

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Why don't you put a cat flap in the utility room door and leave a bed and water bowl so she can come and go as she pleases? Our cat is out much more in the summer, especially in the hot weather - he sleeps under shrubs in the daytime and potters about when its cooler in the evening and at night. I've given up trying to get him inside by bedtime and just let him come and go - he doesn't know it's bedtime when it's still light and warm outside and he's been asleep most of the day so needs to work off his energy!

[Judydreamsofhorses]

Thanks for your reply. I am genuinely reassured that the sleeping under shrubs is normal. I was worried the neighbours would think she was neglected!

Having a cat flap actually wouldn’t work, as we’d either need the back door permanently open, or to have two flaps - plus the doors are lovely, heavy original ones. I think the compromise will have to be leaving the utility room open with food and water if she won’t come in. She likes to lie on the cushions from the garden furniture in there anyway.

Last night she was waiting at the door when I went to get her in, which was good. I think the warmer weather has just thrown me a bit. We don’t tend to get much of a summer here usually, and in winter it’s only light from 9-3ish so she just goes in and out for the toilet then straight back to the radiator or our laps!

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Yeah, this proper summer business is a shock to the system - I'm guessing from your username that you're a B&S fan so possibly not too far from my neck of the woods. I'm sure normal service will be resumed with the weather soon and our moggie will be glad of a lap and central heating again!

[Judydreamsofhorses]

Yes, I live in the land of perpetual darkness come November. We should make the most of this glorious summer. And love B&S!

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Me too!

[OnTopOfSpaghetti]

I keep mine in overnight, they don't like it but they are too dim and would get themselves into some sort of trouble if I let them out. They are used to their routine now, I always give them a few biscuits at around 10pm and they come trotting in once I shake the packet! Then the cat flap is locked overnight and they are let out again at 6am.
I would worry about being hit by a car, getting shut in somewhere, getting into a fight, or god forbid the cat killer so I feel better knowing they are in and safe.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

It’s raining! She’s in and curled up on the sheepskin rug.

spaghetti she generally just goes in our garden/next door, but I don’t even like leaving her out during the day. I went out for an hour or so this pm and left her in the garden, I honestly don’t think she had moved while I was gone. My current job is cat waitress, bringing her bowls of water or cat-milk because otherwise she won’t come in for a drink. (And don’t start me on the sunscreen wrestling!)