Crate cat at night

[twinnywinny14]

So my cat is now allowed out of her crate after 5 wks in there due to an infection in her leg. It’s a medium sized dog crate so plenty big enough for her. She has had a few days to wander the house and is now allowed outside (she has been out twice today for short periods). She loves the bed we made in the crate for her and keeps going in there to sleep. DH has suggested we continue to use the crate overnight as she used to get very lively during the night and want to be let out in the early hours. Whilst using the crate as long as it was partially covered she never once cried or wanted to be let out during the night at all. Does anyone crate their cat overnight? It’s would be from midnight until about 5:30 (DH in late from work and I get up early for work)

[Fluffycloudland77]

She probably felt too ill to miaow.


When she’s full throttle again I can see being crated going down like a bowl of cold sick.

We lock ours in the kitchen overnight.

[Magpiefeather]

Yeah I really wouldn’t crate a cat. Leave the door open and if she likes sleeping in there so much she will anyway, without being trapped?

[OctoberLovers]

How about peeing / pooing?

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Personally I find the idea of crating a cat really odd - unless essential for medical reasons.
For me, part of having a cat (cats) is letting them do their own thing - the idea of keeping them boxed up at night would be anathema to me - and I'm pretty sure it would be to them too.

[AutumnCrow]

Where the cat wee and poo for those five weeks - are you intending to put a litter tray in there with it? That's going to be really bad for it.

[twinnywinny14]

We put a litter tray in for her during those 5 wks- this was at the advice of 2 vets so it was what she needed at that time. Tbh she never toilets overnight anyway so wouldn’t need a tray overnight but I understand about it not being that pleasant for her

[viccat]

No that seems really awful long term. (I completely understand about medical need for it and have no problem with that, by the way.)

Maybe you can train her into a bedtime routine so she sleeps through the night? I have four cats and they are really good about their routine now with play time in the evening, a late dinner and then a few treats before lights go out. They then find their favourite spots for the night and don't get up until they hear my alarm in the morning.

[Csleeptime]

Ours skeep in the hall in cat baskets. Would never shut them in a crate. Cats would hate it.

[fantasmasgoria1]

I would not crate a cat but if yours feels comfortable in there just leave the crate door open?

[Elieza]

I locked mine in the kitchen overnight. Until they were bigger and to be trusted in the living room. Although sometimes I find presents in the living room (fur balls) that arent the kind of gift one would like from her majesty (my remaining female cat, currently telling me butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth and so big boy dun it and ran away’ as the saying goes....yeah, I know it was you lady.