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Original poster

why do my cats only want to go out at night?

23 replies

cheesesarnie · 19/02/2009 23:23

why?its like there scared of the light!then i end up waiting for them to come in so i can go to bed as we have no cat flap.

OP posts:

LuckySalem · 19/02/2009 23:24

Could they be being picked on by the kids and there are no kids out at night?

Also I think cats are mainly nightime creatures anyway.

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 19/02/2009 23:25

its only last few days kids have been in garden.

are they?

OP posts:

LuckySalem · 19/02/2009 23:27

Not necisarily (bad spelling) your kids just neighbourhood kids?

I've had to rescue our cat from the neighbourhood kids on halloween as they were trying to set his tail alight via a sparkler

TheInvisibleManDidIt · 19/02/2009 23:29

My cats always go out all night and come in and sleep all day. They just seem to prefer being out at night. We try and get them in if it's really cold, but otherwise just let them get on with it.

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 19/02/2009 23:30

awww bless!in the day they dont venture further than garden(well back door step actually) and its only my children x 3 who leave the cats.at night they jump ove next door etc.
next door have a cat though that i know is called in at night-could this be anything to do with it?

OP posts:

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 19/02/2009 23:31

can yours get in if they want though?

ds2 had major sob yesterday as couldnt get one in before he went to bed!

OP posts:

skramble · 19/02/2009 23:33

Well if you are my neighbours they sneak into my house when I am loading the car, sometimes they even get locked in for three days and shit in my kitchen and wee in my washing basket. Then wreck a blind and my DD's desk while trying to attract attention at the windows.

Damm fecking cats.

LuckySalem · 19/02/2009 23:33

Mine can't get in unless we're here so we always get them in at night.

It could well be because of next doors cat. If its territorial then they may not feel safe going over its turf when its there.
If its being called in at night then they may want out so that they can explore further?

BecauseImWorthIt · 20/02/2009 00:06

Cats are actually pretty nocturnal. I know it's difficult to tell, given the amount of time they seem asleep! But it's not unusual behaviour.

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 20/02/2009 12:14

skramble lol!

so sould i let them out at night then?and in in the morning?

OP posts:

underpaidandoverworked · 20/02/2009 19:07

I have a mammy cat and 2 kittens (5wks) at the moment (she escaped through bathroom window when in season - was previously a 'house-cat'!) and they sleep all day and play all night - in my bedroom, which is where she 'chose' to have them and refuses to let me move them!! DH been evicted to the sofa, as all three usually end up in bed with me. I've had cats for years and they are very nocturnal - as long as they've been neutered they'll be fine being out all night. You'll probably find them on the doorstep yowling in the morning! My last cat used to sit on the living room window sill and knock on the window to let us know she was there. Scared the living daylights of our babysitter the first time she sitted....!

PaulaMummyKnowsBest · 22/02/2009 15:29

maybe they like to hunt and the smaller animals are also out at night

One of my cats is a great mouser (unfortunately) and keeps leaving me gifts to find in the morning

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 23/02/2009 14:06

thankyou.ive been letting them out as it gets dark and letting them in as i go to bed.not brave enough to let them out all night yet!

OP posts:

bella29 · 23/02/2009 14:11

They're naturally nocturnal.

I feed mine at bedtime so I can make sure they are in at night.....

Must admit I thought of you the other day, cheesesarnie: one of my cats had a smelly bottom

Bella x

Jux · 23/02/2009 14:13

They're nocturnal. Get a cat flap.

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 23/02/2009 14:24

thanks bella lol!
cant fit catflat as rened house

OP posts:

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 23/02/2009 14:24

rented i mean

OP posts:

bella29 · 23/02/2009 14:26

I find a sachet of Felix at 10pm works wonders I don't have a catflap either (dh allergic to DIY)

MarmadukeScarlet · 23/02/2009 14:49

CPL and RSPCA advice is to keep your cat in at night, better for cat (more chance of getting run down or into fights) and better for wildlife.

Original poster

cheesesarnie · 23/02/2009 20:54

good im too scared-it would be like putting my children out for the night!

OP posts:

Winsford2125 · 25/01/2021 20:24

My kitten which I got in August 2020 , has no inclination to go out in daylight . He looks outside and if a bird tweets or similar he is back inside like shot . It’s hilarious ,but as soon as it goes dark he is happy to go out . Never have had a cat who is nocturnal !! Don’t like him to be out when it’s so cold so won’t let him stay out all night !,

sunflowersandbuttercups · 29/01/2021 16:28

Cats are crepuscular rather than nocturnal - which means they're most active at dawn and dusk.

I wouldn't let them out overnight personally - it's far too dangerous imo.

Babamamananarama · 06/02/2021 20:08

My cat goes out at about midday and used to come in reliably at about 8pm but she's been pushing it later and later so now we often end up hunting for her so we can go to bed. I wonder why?
We can't fit a cat flap in the back as it's all glass doors, and she's stopped using the front cat flap since we got a dog.

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