Old cat sitting out in the rain

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

he won't come in. It' a bad sign right.
He looks as if he is dozing off all the time. His head nods and then droops then he jerks slightly and eyes open, head comes up.
Should I try and force him to stay in-lock the catflap, try and get him to a vet or let him be?

[Evenstar]

I would get him to the vets, my cat had to be put to sleep with kidney failure the day after behaving like this. I hope he is OK

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

Oh shit.

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

Sorry about your cat.


Damn.

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

Just went down to see how he was and he has come in and demanded food!
Seems pretty lively.
I will have monitor him and see how he gets on. Will try and get a vets appointment for monday.

[Evenstar]

If he is eating that sounds more positive, hope all goes well for you at the vet's on Monday. I would probably keep him in though make sure he is warm and dry

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

Thanks. He has gone out again but is under the bushes.

[BeansGloriousBeans]

My old cat always sits out in the rain, it's bizarre!

[Naetha]

Could be any one of my cats lol! I guess they missed the memo that says that cats don't like rain ;)

[ClaireDeLoon]

Both my cats are out in the rain, sheltering under garden furniture and bushes. The patio door is open just enough to let a cat in but they're choosing to stay out. I think many cats just like being outdoors.

If he's eating OK and you haven't noticed any other odd behaviour then I would just keep an eye on him. When you say old, how old is he?

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

Oh good so he might not be going to pop off imediately.
He is 16 and has gotten very bony over the last couple of years, taken to eating soft food over the last few months even though his teeth look fine and has mellowed considerably.

[ClaireDeLoon]

16 is old, bless his cottons. My old boy got very skinny, I was expecting a knock on the door from the RSPCA saying a neighbour had reported a starved cat. But from getting skinny at about the age your cat is he lived another 3 years with kidney disease. Big sign of kidney disease with my cat was drinking loads and weeing a lot.

Are you going to take him to the vet still?

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

I don't know. Part of me is scared to in case they tell me something bad. Maybe ring on Monday. I have had problems getting him to the vets in the past as he is Out.
I have no idea if he sees a lot as he always goes outside and refuses to use a litter tray. How was the kidney disease treated?

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

Wees not sees iPad spell checker!

[ClaireDeLoon]

That does make it hard. Where does he drink, can you try to keep an eye on his water intake?

It was the weight loss that prompted me to get him checked with blood tests, they are pricey at about £100 all in. He was treated with tablets and a special diet. He didn't like the renal diet wet food so we comprised with renal diet dried food and ordinary wet food, because keeping him eating was the most important thing.

[Onemorning]

My old boy of 17 likes sitting in the rain, then moaning to come in and whinging until we cuddle him dry, or feed him. I think he is defending his territory by staring down other local cats.

It might be worth a check up, it might be worth it for your own peace of mind.

[SunshineAndBlueSkies]

He is out there again today but his behaviour is otherwise normal so I am going to let him be for the moment.