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Original poster

Am I being unnecessarily concerned about this?

36 replies

TrotFox · 27/11/2024 13:51

Me and DP sleep in separate bedrooms. We have two cats who need to be kept apart at night. Girl cat sleeps with DP and boy cat sleeps downstairs.

I have always had this niggling concern and question about what we would do if there was a fire in the night and the cat downstairs couldn’t get out or we couldn’t find him. I tried to have him sleep in the bedroom with me but it didn’t work out and he won’t settle throughout the night. I mostly just assumed that I was over worrying and it’s very unlikely it will happen. However I just saw a post on Facebook about someone who is worried about the same thing but her boyfriend doesn’t want the cat in the room with them at night.

I am now wondering if it’s a much more real concern and I should be keeping the cat in the room with me and the door shut at night? What do other pet owners do and do you ever worry about this?

OP posts:
Original poster
TrotFox · 27/11/2024 14:08

Herewegoago · 27/11/2024 14:06

I was given advice from a firefighter once that if there’s a fire in the house, not to go back into the house to look for pets, especially not cats as they’re ‘excellent at getting themselves to safety’ and id be more likely to harm myself than help my cat. I have 6 and always used to worry about it lol.

See I feel like my cat would just crouch himself into a corner in the back of the pantry or something to hide, rather than try to escape the house

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 27/11/2024 14:07

Anoisagusaris · 27/11/2024 14:07

People don’t keep their children in their bedrooms in case of fire, nevermind their cats.

good point! And kids can't jump out of windows unharmed!

Anoisagusaris · 27/11/2024 14:07

People don’t keep their children in their bedrooms in case of fire, nevermind their cats.

DancingLions · 27/11/2024 14:06

I have 2 cats and never think about this. I love them dearly but in the worst case scenario I'd just have to hope they could get out themselves! Because unless they were literally right there, I wouldn't be spending time looking for them.

Unless you're particularly reckless about fire safety, it's very unlikely you'll have a fire in the night. House fires are thankfully rare.

toomuchfaff · 27/11/2024 14:06

Get a fire alarm, get a smoke detector, reduce the risk rather than worrying about consequences?

If you have fire alarms and smoke detectors, then why are you still worrying? Do you think you'll sleep through them? Can't you hear them from your rooms? add more so you're risk of waking to a blazing fire are reduced. In all likelihood if there is a fire, the cat will be as far away as possible from the fire, never met a cat that will run towards a live fire, they are usually good at self preservation.

Herewegoago · 27/11/2024 14:06

I was given advice from a firefighter once that if there’s a fire in the house, not to go back into the house to look for pets, especially not cats as they’re ‘excellent at getting themselves to safety’ and id be more likely to harm myself than help my cat. I have 6 and always used to worry about it lol.

Original poster
TrotFox · 27/11/2024 14:05

Orangelight23 · 27/11/2024 14:03

Not once has this crossed my mind. My cat sleeps where he wants, I have no say in the matter 😂

yes my cat is like this too, as soon as I shut the door he doesn’t like it and likes to move about as he pleases. And as you will know… you can’t make a cat do something they don’t want to do 😂 I didn’t hear the end of it all night

OP posts:
Orangelight23 · 27/11/2024 14:03

Not once has this crossed my mind. My cat sleeps where he wants, I have no say in the matter 😂

Original poster
TrotFox · 27/11/2024 14:01

INeedAnotherName · 27/11/2024 13:58

Why do you presume the cat wouldn't be hiding under your bed or behind inaccesible furniture in your shut bedroom? Why do you presume the fire wouldn't start upstairs and the cat is safer downstairs?

If you are that worried then get your cat carrier trained so you can scoop him up and keep him safe once outside with all the noisy sirens and people.

I’m not presuming those things I’m just saying it will be safer to have the cat with me so that I know where they are. Yes they may be hiding in my wardrobe or something but at least I have a greater chance of finding them than I do if they’re downstairs. Downstairs we have a living room, dining room/kitchen and then like a conservatory area but it’s all open plan, there’s no doors so would be tricky to find him! I do feel daft tbh writing this because it’s a situation that is unlikely to happen.. it’s just always in the back of my mind so just wondered

OP posts:
Ellie1015 · 27/11/2024 14:01

In a fire you open the front door, leave and pray the cat comes out. Make sure he isnt locked in a room. Maybe close all the doors so you know he is in the hall?

Do all you can to prevent fire for everyone's sake. But if worse does happen i think you would just have to leave asap.

INeedAnotherName · 27/11/2024 13:58

Why do you presume the cat wouldn't be hiding under your bed or behind inaccesible furniture in your shut bedroom? Why do you presume the fire wouldn't start upstairs and the cat is safer downstairs?

If you are that worried then get your cat carrier trained so you can scoop him up and keep him safe once outside with all the noisy sirens and people.

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