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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let my cat out in -2 degrees overnight?

141 replies

susiesuelou · 09/12/2022 19:07

My cat hates staying in overnight - he sleeps during the day and cries to go out overnight. If I don't let him out around 8/9pm he will wake me up meowing in the early hours to be let out, which is obviously a pain in the arse.

But - it's set to be minus 2 overnight where I am! Will he be OK if I let him out? Just a bit worried about finding a frozen cat in my garden tomorrow! 🙁🥶

OP posts:
Happylittlethoughts · 09/12/2022 21:03

My cat chooses to go out overnight in all weathers. She's gone out in thiscold weather and she's 13 !
No way would she stay in.
She has all manner of secret hide outs in the gardens. She also likes the floor under the engineof my Fiesta . Cat will be fine

Oxo01 · 09/12/2022 21:04

I have 3 all of whom have wanted to come in within 10mins since the cold snap started. I def wouldn't leave them out.

CheeseIsMyPatronus · 09/12/2022 21:05

Mate, he's a cat. Fur and everything. Stupendously unlikely to freeze into a catsicle.

We leave a box with a cushion in the shed for the one who likes to rove. As long as there's somewhere with cover from precipitation and frost they are fine.

DuchessDandelion · 09/12/2022 21:08

www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/cats-and-cold-weather

Useful info here op.

I wouldn't recommend that green outdoor cat bed/kennel linked further up. I used to have that one, kept in a shed and my word it used to be cold! I swear it acted like a fridge to trap the heat.*

(*No animals were harmed or allowed to go cold during this experience)

ScreamInBlue · 09/12/2022 21:08

slaiens · 09/12/2022 19:28

For future you can get microwaveable heat pads for pets OP. I used to use them with my Guinea pigs. You heat them up in the evening and pop it in their bed and it slowly releases a low amount of heat for up to 10 hours. One of these in a shed with some blankets should be fine.

Mine likes to be out at night too, luckily we now have a cat flap which has made it easier.

SnuggleSafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad with Fleece Cover (colour may vary) amzn.eu/d/2fJW1Rx

Show quote history

Those heat pads are great, I got one for the stray cat that frequents our garden. I didn’t believe they stay warm for 10 hours but they really do.

Original poster
susiesuelou · 09/12/2022 21:09

Not impressed with the suggestion that he might be staying in tonight. Face says it all. "You what?" 🤣

To let my cat out in -2 degrees overnight?
OP posts:
Original poster
susiesuelou · 09/12/2022 21:09

He has no collar as he pulls them off 🙄

OP posts:
DuchessDandelion · 09/12/2022 21:10

ScreamInBlue · 09/12/2022 21:08

Those heat pads are great, I got one for the stray cat that frequents our garden. I didn’t believe they stay warm for 10 hours but they really do.

Show quote history

I can attest. I used one when I didn't have a hot water bottle

Original poster
susiesuelou · 09/12/2022 21:11

Mate, he's a cat. Fur and everything. Stupendously unlikely to freeze into a catsicle.

🤣

OP posts:
Want2beme · 09/12/2022 21:16

I think they'll be fine. I've got 3 farm cats sqauting in my cathouse out the back. I've packed it out with warm fleecy & fluffy things for them. Poor buggers haven't got a choice really, as the bloody awful farmer doesnt give a shit about them. I've got two cats that go out at night, but they've got a catflap.

Pelo2022 · 09/12/2022 21:19

That face is definitely "you can't tell me what to do"

Mooshroo · 09/12/2022 21:22

Oh he’s gorgeous!

onlymyOP · 09/12/2022 21:29

We have two outdoor cats ourselves (yes, they have bells on their collars ..ya da ya) who also create merry hell if they cannot access outside... It depends on your cats' temperament, but we leave the side door ajar, in all weather, so they have easy access to the a flap and and still come home to cosy up.. Our experience in these temps is they'll stay home all day and only stay out for as long as they need to.

Cheesuswithallama · 09/12/2022 21:31

He is lovely.

Frankly, even our gimger cat who had occasional turn in having the shared brain cell (very occasional) was fine😂

KnittedCardi · 09/12/2022 21:34

Arthur has a flap so comes and goes as he pleases. If it snows he actually loves to go out and goes batshit cat, tunnelling and diving, running round in circles. He's a Bengal cross though, so has a screw loose.

Southwig22 · 09/12/2022 21:35

I'd let him out. I've had cats that would stay out all night whatever the weather.

Don't forget they are nocturnal.

If you do keep him in I assume you have the right set up, i.e. a litter tray? Also be aware if keeping him stresses him it can be quite unhealthy too

DuchessDandelion · 09/12/2022 21:36

Cats protection says to keep them in if they're not used to the colder temperatures because they're more suspectibleto cold injury.

I'd keep him in as all night. I'd rather have a cross cat than a poorly cat.

Southwig22 · 09/12/2022 21:38

Crimsonripple · 09/12/2022 20:16

He'll be fine. The more he goes out the thicker the fur he'll grow and therefore more warmer. Stick a box with blankets in and let him have some catting about fun!

Please be very careful giving out advice like this.

Blankets are just about the worst thing you can do. They absorb moisture and then freeze, killing cats.

Original poster
susiesuelou · 09/12/2022 21:58

Update: He is staying in! He is currently curled up on his bed in front of the log burner in the dining room which has recently been on so it's toasty warm. I've moved his litter tray in there for tonight and he has his food & water bowls etc. Ive closed the door so he can't wake me up with his nocturnal protest so he's going to be FUMING in the morning. But like pp said, better a pissed off cat than a frozen one 😬

OP posts:
Dreikanter · 09/12/2022 22:01

Don't forget they are nocturnal.

Cats are crepuscular.

thelobsterquadrille · 09/12/2022 22:03

Southwig22 · 09/12/2022 21:35

I'd let him out. I've had cats that would stay out all night whatever the weather.

Don't forget they are nocturnal.

If you do keep him in I assume you have the right set up, i.e. a litter tray? Also be aware if keeping him stresses him it can be quite unhealthy too

Cats aren't nocturnal.

fancyacuppatea · 09/12/2022 22:05

He's going to be sooo angry when he realises. 😹

My 2 are going to be in the kitchen...chances are I'll wake early insomnia so they can fart about inside for an hour or 2 at 3am, eat, then crash on the bed with DH.

EricNorthmanYesPlease · 09/12/2022 22:09

People suggesting leaving a window ajar are nuts!
Its literally freezing and you want to let all the heat out or cause an icy draft in the house.
Never mind the safety aspects of it.

A box filled with some straw im the shed would be fine. ramp up the luxe with a hot water bottle on the coldest nights.

My cat used to pull the carpet scratching stunt when he wanted something he knew it annoyed me and wouldnt stop until i got up. i feel your pain lol

DuchessDandelion · 09/12/2022 22:11

My cat used to pull the carpet scratching stunt when he wanted something he knew it annoyed me and wouldnt stop until i got up

Yes this is why ops cat has got so vocal - because he knows it works. No going back now!

caringcarer · 09/12/2022 22:15

For goodness sake get a cap flat fitted. No problem letting cat put but irresponsible if if can't come back in. Poor cat, it could freeze to death.