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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to leave the cat out all night, every night?

72 replies

ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 12:36

I cant handle keeping a litter tray in the house- its gross. The final straw was when I caught my dd(age 3) playing with the litter (aaarg!!) So we have tried to train the cat to go outside.. with some success but not completely. She tends to wee/poo in the living room if we leave her overnight (i guess she has nowhere else to go!) she cant seem to hold it till morning. So the solution has been to put her out at night time. Is this ok for the cat? even when its cold? She has been meowing outside the door/windows wanting to come in.. I do feel a bit guilty.

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 22/03/2011 12:39

You need a cat flap.
You could also keep the litter tray behind a closed door so your daughter doesn't get to it.

Original poster
ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 12:44

The prob is the cat has pee'd in the house before even when the window/back door was wide open so I dont really want a cat flap as i wouldnt be able to keep an eye on her. We only let her in the living room/kitchen when she's not outside as we have carpet everywhere else (she seems to think carpet= litter tray).

OP posts:
worraliberty · 22/03/2011 12:46

Can't you put the litter tray back and tell your 3yr old off for touching it? I'm sure she'll learn no means no at that age?

NinjaPixie · 22/03/2011 12:48

Sounds a wee bit mean to me. Most road accidents involving cats happen at night too so I wouldn't take the chance. Is shutting the cat in 1 room with a litter tray overnight an option?

redfairy · 22/03/2011 12:50

If you cant or don't want to have a catflap into the house why not try one for your shed or garage. As long as Tiddles has an undercover area with a blanket or basket she'll be fine. (Peeing while having access to the outdoors though may be sign of stress)

scurryfunge · 22/03/2011 12:50

You need to train her to use the litter tray. Every time she starts looking for somewhere to go, pick her up every time and put her in the tray. You have to be relentless until she gets it.

Do you have doors to prevent her coming into the other rooms?

I don't have litter trays at all. A cat flap will solve your problem -you can't keep an eye on her if you are going to lock her outside all night anyway.

If you really have to boot her out at night (and I think it's cruel) then at least provide a warm, dry place for her, like a shed or a garage.

Original poster
ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 12:51

I could do that worraliberty- it may well work. But I really dont want the litter tray back- its gross having to deal with it (i guess i could be unreasonable here too- as i should of thought of this pre cat!) I thought cats could just pee outside! As the cat is only allowed in kitchen or living room that is where the litter tray goes.

AIBU to leave the cat out all night though? or is it mean leaving the cat out? do cats often stay out all night anyway?

OP posts:
BluddyMoFo · 22/03/2011 12:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

campocaro · 22/03/2011 12:52

The cat will get used to it-ours did-out last thing at night, every night and they snooze indoors all day.

JeelyPiece · 22/03/2011 12:55

You can get a covered litter tray and your DD will just have to learn not to touch it like she's presumably not allowed to touch other dangerous/unsavoury things.

It's not fair to force the cat to stay out all night if she's not used to it - some cats would love it but mine would all be wailing to come in as soon as they got cold. She's more at risk of being in a accident if you put her out all night.

Has she only been going on the carpet since you got rid of the litter tray? Does she use it properly if it's there? One of my cats won't go wee or poo outside at all though she will pop out for a wander - she is too nervous to go the loo outside and it would really stress her out if we took the litter away.

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 22/03/2011 12:57

Cats like to go out at night....thats quite often when they do their hunting!!

A night on the tiles.....think that refers to cats originally.

Nothing wrong with cats being out at night

ratspeaker · 22/03/2011 12:58

Why do you have a cat?
You want it to stay outside all night just because you dont want a litter tray in the house?
Again why did you get a cat then?

Its cruel to chuck it out without shelter, water or food

Cat98 · 22/03/2011 12:59

Cats out at night are in more danger (depending on where you live) from traffic, foxes, cold (and cats cope a lot better with heat than they do in the cold). Personally I wouldn't. I think if you are not prepared to have a litter tray, don't get a cat. They need the option to go to the loo inside!

Ormirian · 22/03/2011 13:00

Get a bloody cat flap!

It's not too bad this time of year but in the depths of winter? That's just mean.

givemushypeasachance · 22/03/2011 13:00

What if there is another long cold snap like this winter and it gets down to -15 degrees? Cats are fine outside in that temperature for a short while, but not all night unless they have shelter. The same applies if it is raining - they need somewhere to enable them to stay dry. If you feel you must shut a cat out of the house they should at least have access to a shed or garage with a catflap, or a conservatory or something.

It breaks my heart to see cats sat outside people's houses in the morning meowing to be let in. Growing up our cats always had cat flaps and could come and go. In the summer they liked to be outside most of the night but in bad weather or winter they'd always prefer walls and a roof, and a warm bed!

NotShortImFunSized · 22/03/2011 13:00

If you leave cat out all night be prepared to find a wide variety of dead wildlife on your door step in the mornings.

I'd keep the litter tray just for night times. Put outside during day so cat can get used to it being out there and your dd can't get to it.

thinNigella · 22/03/2011 13:01

I have 2, they are out all night every night even in the snow. They have a cat flap into the garage where their food is.

I freaked when I found not only dead mice but lives ones in my kitchen along with next doors cat asleep on my work surfaces. I'm no hygiene freak, but ewwww. They've been out ever since and they are fine. Do it.

TechLovingDad · 22/03/2011 13:01

Cats are nocturnal so don't want to be stuck indoors all night. Ours goes out partying every night and sleeps it off at home, during the day. He also winds up the dog when at home, too.

NinjaPixie · 22/03/2011 13:03

I think YABU to not want to deal with a litter tray. I presume you changed DDs nappies for years- it's all just poo.
IMO it's cruel to leave a cat outside all night all year round.

Ormirian · 22/03/2011 13:03

Well mine sleeps on a big cushion at the top of the stairs. She likes to go out at night too but not all night.

LadyThumb · 22/03/2011 13:03

Cruel! Why have a cat in the first place?

Nagoo · 22/03/2011 13:04

I've got a litter tray, and my child knows not to touch it. By 3 I'd think an NT child should be able to learn not to play with cat litter.

My cats do go out all night, in all day though. I know that the older one taps up the neighbours for food though, so he's probably sleeping on someone's bed all night too!

OatcakeCravings · 22/03/2011 13:06

It's a cat - shove it out!

If you are worried about the winter invest in a small dog kennel for the garden and put a blanket in it - there job done!

Cat98 · 22/03/2011 13:10

www.cats.org.uk/cat-care/cat-care-faqs/cats-protection-cat-care-faqs-environment/

Scroll down - your q is answered by the cats protection league here!

IAMGOINGTOBEGOOD · 22/03/2011 13:18

Mine have been out for three years.
Even in the snow.
They have access to a shed with warm bedding but do not use it.
They are healthier than when they stayed in.
No illnesses and a healthy coat.

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