Does your cat stay out at night?

[MegBusset]

I really want to get another cat since our one died but DH doesn't. One of his arguments is that we would have to have a litter tray indoors, which we don't really have anywhere to put except the kitchen (not v nice). I'm arguing that it could go out at night so no need for a tray. We can't fit a cat flap as have all double-glazed doors but could get a flap put into our garden shed so it could shelter there in bad weather.

DH now arguing that it would be cruel to have a cat only to put it out at night. Just wondering what other people think?

Cat flaps are great in a lot of respects. But they do have downsides. Our cat used to come and go every 20 mins and meow to wake us to tell us he was back (or something) which was more annoying than him just being locked in or out! Also, if your cat is a hunter (ours isn't at all, lazy bloke!) then they might bring gifts in through your catflap for you. Also, unless you have one of the special ones with the magnetic collars, you may get visits from other cats. My neighbour has had to lock her catflap as an unneutered tom cat is coming in and spraying and the smell is just awful.

Wehn we get a shed, I intend to put a catflap in it for our cat but then you've the worry of them knocking tools down and coming to some grief. Though he does like sleeping in the kids playhouse at the moment so maybe we should just encourage that.

Litter trays definitely don't stop cats from doing their business in neighbours gardens. I think most cats would prefer the great outdoors for a poo than their tray.

I don't know what kind of litter tray you had before, but a covered one (you can get ones with a door too) contains a lot of the smell should there be any poos. We keep ours in the downstairs loo and even when the cat is locked in, he really uses it as a last resort.

For those of you who have no cat flap and the cat likes to go out at night there is a solution..now, don't laugh but I have seen it in action so to speak and its great - a rabbit hutch! make sure its one with a seperate sleeping area on one side that has a door at the front of it. the bit where the mesh front would go, you take off. keep a bowl of water in that main bit and a lovely soft cushion with a fluffy blanket on top in the sleeping area. Cat will sleep in it and has shelter if it rains.

Here's one :

www.swish-uk.com/shopimages/products/normal/rabbit%20hutch%20%20huge.jpg

Yes, a covered litter tray is essential - it also stops a lot of the litter being kicked everywhere when the cat uses it (although ours still manage to get a fair amount out of the door ).

The magnetic catflaps are good, but be aware that they can be used by other cats who have them installed in their homes. My friend is often visited by two cats, neither of whom live at her house but who gain access through the magnetised catflap still installed in the back door. Also, my SIL has one and apparently her cat's collar used to randomly magnetise objects to it - she once found him dragging a fork along the floor, looking very put out

Our cat is a shit head who keeps bringing mice into the house (ah, I'm looking forward to summer) so his catflap privileges to the main house were withdrawn last summer.

At night, he is out. The git.

But we do have a catflap into the conservatory only. That way, the usual summer bloodbath will be confined to just the one area.

If you have an "indoors only" cat, what do you do in summer when doors and windows are often open?