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Original poster

Is it cruel to put cats out for the night?

63 replies

Spidermama · 14/02/2008 20:56

I'm thinking of putting them out and locking the cat door overnight to stop the toms coming in and spraying.

The man in the pet shop said not but I'm not so sure. They have plenty of space and a great hunting ground, but they are only young and what if they get cold.

Please someone come along and tell me I'm being a city wuss and cats are fine outside.

OP posts:
SauerKraut · 14/02/2008 20:58

It's fine! Ours prefers to be out at night. They always find somewhere to curl up.

SauerKraut · 14/02/2008 20:58

City wuss!

cadelaide · 14/02/2008 20:58

Depends whether they have anywhere to go, like a shed or barn, pref with hay/straw.

themildmanneredjanitor · 14/02/2008 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SauerKraut · 14/02/2008 20:59

I am a newly countrified ex-city wuss

dinny · 14/02/2008 20:59

can't you lock them IN?

it's freezing at night atm

or get a magnetic cat flap

SauerKraut · 14/02/2008 21:00

Is that really true TMMJ? Shit, hope not.

random · 14/02/2008 21:00

I always put mine out at night but he did bugger off and go and live with someone else ..not saying that yours will tho

Original poster
Spidermama · 14/02/2008 21:03

SauerKraut I trust you.

I wonder why they live longer MMJ? For me it's quality rather than quantity though so not necessarily an issue. Interesting though. Where did you hear that?

I wouldn't want to lock them in as it would be more cruel. They love being out and night and they sleep indoors for most of the day.

Maybe I'll wait til the weather's warmer and start the new regime in spring.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 14/02/2008 21:04

let them out. my neighbour has two cats and they're never let out at all

Original poster
Spidermama · 14/02/2008 21:04

random my first cat buggered off to go and live at number one and she could come and go as she chose so you can't win.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spidermama · 14/02/2008 21:05

SEA I think that's awful. Cats LOVE being out and about.

The Cats Protection League promote the idea of keeping them indoors.

OP posts:
random · 14/02/2008 21:06

No they do as they please spider lol obviously he was fed whiskers finest elsewhere and not tescos own

KerryMum · 14/02/2008 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cadelaide · 14/02/2008 21:08

My parents' cat died recently, a farm cat that had never been indoors. We worked out she was at least 19 (not disputing your facts tmmj, just interesting).

JaneHH · 14/02/2008 21:08

Cats are nocturnal animals anyway, aren't they? I always think it's unfair to keep them locked up in flats all their lives! Imho it's in their nature to go hunting etc at night...

You could buy them a little "kennel" with a blanket in which sits outside the back door where they can go and sleep / generally use as their little den outside. You'll be horrified at what gets dragged in there and snuggled under that blanket but at least you can then keep all the tomcats out of your house...

ara · 14/02/2008 21:08

oh no don't lock them out - get the magnetic cat flap put in in case they get cold! how old are they?

Onlyaphase · 14/02/2008 21:08

Cats are much more likely to get run over at night, hence why you are advised to keep them in. Also, foxes are around at night and don't mix well with cats

Ours have free access to a cat flap, and will be in at night but head out at first light. In summer they are barely in at all, this time of year, they decorate the back of the sofa 24/7

SauerKraut · 14/02/2008 21:09

Unwise, Spidermama Although I have raised 5 kittens- with a little help from the mother! I couldn't keep ours in, she's a real hunter and the doings are all at night and as I refuse to get up to let her in or out, it's tough. She has to decide at about 11 and it's usually out.

peachygirl · 14/02/2008 21:09

We don't put the cat out but don't lock to cat flap either. In the summer I think she goes out more but in the winter it's usually too cold for her to be bothered

cadelaide · 14/02/2008 21:09

southeast astra, I think a cat that is never let out is a very sad thing, I've known a woman with a houseful.
(rspca got her in the end)

Original poster
Spidermama · 14/02/2008 21:13

ara they're only 8 months old. They've been speyed but it hasn't deterred the local Toms.

I wondered about the magnet things but I don't want to put collars on them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spidermama · 14/02/2008 21:14

Onlyaphase I've heard they;re more likely to get run over at night. Mine are scared of the road and concentrate their efforts out in the back where there are no roads.

OP posts:
Sparkler · 14/02/2008 21:17

I would never lock our cat outside but we do put her into the utility room at night and shut all the doors into the rest of the house. She has access to her food and water, bed, scratch post and a cat flap to outside. It's far too cold to leave them out all night.

JaneHH · 14/02/2008 21:17

Collars aren't that handy if the cats are going to be climbing in trees - if they get stuck then they really ARE stuck...

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