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AIBU?

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Original poster

If you have animals outside, please check their water

50 replies

Soubriquet · 01/03/2018 08:11

Reposted from chat for more traffic

I've discovered my cats water bowl frozen today so have been and replaced that.

Bring animals in where you can. If you can't make sure they have somewhere sheltered to go. Add extra hay/straw for bunnies and piggies and think about a cover over the hutch if necessary

OP posts:
Seniorcitizen1 · 01/03/2018 08:46

I can’t believe you think people who have animals will need reminding to keep them watered and fed in this weather

WunWegWunDarWun · 01/03/2018 08:48

Seniorcitizen - what on earth are you talking about. Pets die in this sort of weather all the time. Some people aren't that bright and some don't really care.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 01/03/2018 08:54

Then they aren't going to take any notice of someone telling them to. Now, don't forget to put a coat and shoes on when you go out. Don't bathe your children in a frozen bucket and don't think you can just feed them snow for dinner.

WunWegWunDarWun · 01/03/2018 08:55

Those that fall in to the not very bright category might.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 01/03/2018 08:57

Then those people probably need my advice too

MsGameandWatching · 01/03/2018 08:58

Why has there always got to be a massive misery guts on almost every thread on MN? People are busy and this weather is out of the ordinary, it's perfectly feasible that they might not consider frozen water. You know you don't have to type every dismissive thing you think. Take a break.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 01/03/2018 09:08

Because op is saying "you lot are too thick to think of this yourselves" when actually what it means is "I was too daft to think of it"

ethelfleda · 01/03/2018 09:10

Agree with MsGame !!

MsGameandWatching · 01/03/2018 09:12

No she isn't. She's trying to be helpful and pass on something that was useful to her. Says more about you that you put that spin on it.

hotcrossbunsandtea · 01/03/2018 09:12

No harm in reminding people, but most domestic animals shouldn't be forced out in this weather - my cats have spent the last week superglued to the carpet by the fire!

SM2132 · 01/03/2018 09:16

Good for the OP for saying it. If it makes one person who might not of thought to check, realise then it is worth it.

Altwoo · 01/03/2018 09:17

Shock why is your cat’s water bowl outside??

hotcrossbunsandtea · 01/03/2018 09:19

* * why is your cat’s water bowl outside??

What's so shocking about that? Lots of cats spend most of their time outside and have access to food/water in the back garden.

If they're anything like my cats, they'll prefer icy, muddy puddles to fresh water from the tap anyway!

WunWegWunDarWun · 01/03/2018 09:20

Yeah, we had a cat when I was a kid that wouldn't touch tap water indoors if it was dying.

WhereIsBlueRabbit · 01/03/2018 09:22

My cat has a semi-permanent home under the radiator in the spare room this week - warmest spot in the house!

FloydOnThePull · 01/03/2018 09:34

I'd be interested in what other rabbit owners think but I very rarely bring mine inside in the cold weather, I put extra straw in for them (they have a hay and straw mix but in the cold weather straw is much warmer than hay) and check them as much as I can to make sure they are well fed and their water isn't frozen.

If either of them were looking out of sorts them I would bring them in for as short a time as possible but rabbits are really quick to lose their coats if they warm up so bringing them into a warm house for a couple of days just because it's colder than usual then putting them back outside when it's warmed up (but is still much colder than inside) I think is doing them more harm than good.

CarefullyDrawnMap · 01/03/2018 09:37

Why has there always got to be a massive misery guts on almost every thread on MN? People are busy and this weather is out of the ordinary, it's perfectly feasible that they might not consider frozen water. You know you don't have to type every dismissive thing you think. Take a break.
Yes. THIS. Honestly, it's like drinking pure pickled onion juice sometimes.

It doesn't hurt for someone to gently mention giving a thought for animals.

wink1970 · 01/03/2018 09:46

agree on the misery guts comment!

I just went out to scrape the snow off my bird tables, as the territorial red robin was squawking away! Looking out when I got back & the BIGGEST field rat was munching away! Oh well, good deed for the day & all that....

NoFuckingRoomOnMyBroom · 01/03/2018 09:52

Floyd same here-they're always outside so their fur adjusts as the weather gets colder too. We also have two so they tend to snuggle up together.
I only have ours in the house over the bonfire night period or if they were looking a bit off.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 01/03/2018 09:57

My cats water is outside because she lives outside

She's semi feral and doesn't really like people. She will come in now and then but prefers to be outdoors.

She has a warm spot in the outhouse so she's not totally exposed to the elements

And no I did not once insinuate that people were too thick to think about their animals. I wouldn't have thought the water would have been frozen where it was, but it did. So I gave others heads up

You carry on ranting about it on your high horse though just make sure it has water

OP posts:
Niceandwarmandhot · 01/03/2018 09:57

We only have 2 very spoiled budgies, so of course they aren't outside - but if anyone doesn't have cats, or have local cats that come into their garden, could I hijack and add: maybe spare a thought for the birds in this weather and buy a cheap wild bird seed feeder or put out some bread/scraps? I know they're wild birds, but it's so hard for them finding food in this weather and even with all those fluffy feathers they must be cold!

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/safe-food-for-birds/household-scraps-for-birds/

thecatsthecats · 01/03/2018 10:01

Someone like my cleaner might see this - not a pet owner herself - and think twice about locking my cat out in the garden like she did last week (he gets under your feet so I've said fine to put in a room/outside for a bit, but she forgot to unlock the catflap so he could come back in!).

DenPerry · 01/03/2018 10:20

Ignore the misery guts OP, they must be very bitter and twisted inside.

Teufelsrad · 01/03/2018 10:40

Yesterday, I'm just outside of Glasgow, some twat left their dog tethered outside in the midst of the blizzard while they did their shopping. They had to be repeatedly tannoyed to go to customer services about it, so they weren't just popping in for bread and milk.

So yes, I could believe people do need reminding to look after their animals,. Most people aren't that stupid but they might forget so it does no harm to remind them.

ShiftyMcGifty · 01/03/2018 10:44

I don’t think anyone is bitter and twisted in thinking most people don’t need telling that water freezes in cold weather. Confused

Looks like OP is feeling guilty for forgetting about her cat’s needs and decided everyone should benefit from her forgetfulness Hmm.

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