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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:
pingu2209 · 22/03/2011 13:20

It's a cat - not a child. Of course you can leave it out over night.

Ormirian · 22/03/2011 13:21

"A cat should never be locked out all night."

Well that's fairly unequivocal then Grin

Cat98 · 22/03/2011 13:22

?? pingu - it is a living, breathing animal. Not a stuffed one!

Not locked out all night is the key...

Ormirian · 22/03/2011 13:25

Sorry what has the fact that it isn't a child got to do with it Confused

notquitenormal · 22/03/2011 13:38

We have three cats and they do as they please. One never goes out at night, one always goes out at night and one does a different thing depending on the weather.

However, they do have access to shelter and clean water (not food, because it encourages vermin and they're all fatties so they won't starve.) in the shed.

I think if your cat wants to be in at night you should let her. And get a covered litter tray...they good when you have a toddler.

Original poster
ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 13:48

In response to why did I get a cat. It was dh's idea, he said that the cat wouldnt need a litter tray and that most don't have them(Having never had a cat I thought this would be the case) tbh I didnt really want a cat- he really did- so thats why I'm reluctant to dealing with the litter tray. I'd much rather deal with nappys thanks very much. i'm in during the day so dh cant deal with it then- hense why i would need to do the litter tray cleaning.

We would never leave the cat out in the freezing cold. I seem to be getting a big mixed response to wether leaving her outside is ok or not though. I like the garage idea- so perhaps putting a cat flap into that could be the plan (putting a cat flap in the house is not an option as the cat thinks the carpeted parts of the house are all litter trays- even when there is a litter tray about, this is why she is only allowed in the wood flloored living room and kitchen and when i am in)

OP posts:
peeriebear · 22/03/2011 13:51

I put my cat out at night because she will start crying to go out about 2am, and if I don't get up and let her out, she will often wee ON ME on my bedcovers. No thanks! She goes out every night. Our garden has plenty of shelter.

peeriebear · 22/03/2011 13:51

Oh and my cat does have a litter tray, she just likes fucking with me... Hmm

LisasCat · 22/03/2011 13:53

When I lived in South London the night time was all too frequently interrupted by the sound of a local cat being torn apart by a fox. So no, I think it's bloody mean to shut a cat out at night, without any cat flap into which she can escape if in danger.

And to the people saying they have cats who love being out all night, are these by any chance toms? Toms will often go out 'on the pull' at night, but queens prefer to be curled up in the warm (away from the toms attempting to jump them!). I think the OP has indicated hers is a female.

You have the options of fitting a cat flap or getting a covered litter tray. Or not having a cat.

Proud2bFeminine · 22/03/2011 13:53

Leave the litter tray outside the back door and leave an upstairs bathroom window (if you have one)open wide enough for the cat to get in/out. Never had a problem with this, and within a week the outside litter tray was not needed.

LucretiaInShadows · 22/03/2011 13:56

She'll be fine outside as long as she's got shelter. All of you will sleep better, you'll all be happier, and the litter tray can go in the loft until it's needed again.

It would be unkind to chuck her out with no protection from the elements, but a box with a blanket in the shed/garage would do nicely.

Bratfink · 22/03/2011 13:56

Yes leave it out so it can murder all the local wildlife and shit all over your neighbours gardens

Honestly it's beyond me why people are so vitriolic about dogs but think it's ok for cats to roam around killing stuff and crapping everywhere

And yes, I think it's mean to shut a cat out all night. Surely a 3 year old can be taught not to touch the cat litter

DooinMeCleanin · 22/03/2011 13:57

I don't think you should get a litter tray or lock the cat out tbh. I think you need to rehome your cat. She sounds like more than an inconvenience to you.

My cat goes out most nights, by choice. Although I won't let him go out if it is very cold, snowing or raining. He has a specially built shelter in our yard and dd1 lets him in through her window in the night if he comes back.

Vallhala · 22/03/2011 14:02

You can't persevere with training your cat, you don't want to get your hands dirty cleaning a litter tray and you can't teach your child not to touch the litter so of course the obvious answer is to lock her outside all night, particularly through the British winter. Hmm

I have a good idea. Call Cats Protection or another suitable no kill rescue and ask them to rehome the poor bloody animal to someone who actually wants her and is a decent enough human being to look after her.

Original poster
ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 14:02

Its not just about my 3 year old touching the litter tray- that was just the final straw. I'm glad i posted this because it has been informative- thanks cat98 for the link.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 22/03/2011 14:03

X posted with Dooin, the voice of common sense.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 22/03/2011 14:04

I agree with dooing and brat. If your DH wanted the cat in the first place, why isn't he clearing the litter up?

Original poster
ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 14:12

Dooinmecleanin- you are probably right. I think she would be better off being re homed. I dont want her but my dh and dd really do. I spend my time stressing over wether she is gonna pee or bloody not in the house- or if we have a tray i stress about cleaning it constantly (the thought of toxoplasmosis stresses me too). I even called my aunty today to see if she was interested. She is a friendly cat and i want her to go to a good home.

Dont get me wrong- I make sure we take her to vet, feed her pouches 3 times a day/ change her water/ wash bowls etc etc, give her attention/strokes when she wants them/scratching mat/toy/basket etc- so she is looked after. We have only just started putting her out at night and the reason i posted this was to find out if it was an acceptable thing to do- if i didnt care I wouldnt have asked.

OP posts:
rockinhippy · 22/03/2011 14:13

YABU & Cruel, & I bet your neighbours love you Hmm -

I keep Cats & wouldn't dream of leaving them to howl & meow & disturb my neighbours all night, let alone the rest & its not so hard to keep your DS out of the litter tray - I managed fine with mine at that age - just takes a bit of effort Hmm, just as it takes effort to train some Cats - ALL part of your responsibility as a pet owner Hmm

Though getting a covered cat tray might help with your DS ....we had one of those & it makes it look less inviting, & less of a sand pit....that & telling them off of course

Also what are you cleaning the Cats wee up with??....if its cleaning products, chances are they contain ammonia, which to a Cat means toilet - pee here -- you'll need to neutralise the area with bicarb/ etc (google) & then clean only with vinegar or a none ammonia cleaner - a few drops or spray of Citronella will help too

Original poster
ArtyJennie · 22/03/2011 14:22

rockinhippy- thanks for the bicarbonate info- i didnt know that- we have been cleaning with dettol- perhaps making the situation worse?

The neighbours on both sides are detached and quite far away, they also have cats that are outside at night.

She doesnt meow very much (i'm a light sleeper and would notice).

OP posts:
Ladyboak · 22/03/2011 14:25

I couldnt do that to my cat, I'm already paranoid when she is late in the evening to come home but the tought of leaving her out all night ?? No you are cruel !

pod3030 · 22/03/2011 14:27

i put my cat out overnight now that it has warmed up. he just lazed about getting fat and whiffy when he stayed in. now he's shiny and alert and not the depressed blob he was. in winter he stays in with a litter tray.

ddubsgirl · 22/03/2011 14:28

if cat is peeing everywhere has she been done?
get a covered litter tray,we have one and helps with the smell.
get a cat flap and keep kitchen door closed but cat can get in for water and somewhere warm if it needs too.

pod3030 · 22/03/2011 14:33

I also got one of those plug in pheromone things which helps the cat chill out. it may be a bit unsettled/stressed if it's marking everywhere. Mine seems to like it.

NettoSuperstar · 22/03/2011 14:33

My cat never comes in the house, even on the coldest winter's night. She doesn't like it and is quite happy outside.