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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Are you keeping your cats in after dark?

32 replies

AutumnStar · 28/10/2013 17:05

Had our first few bonfire night bangs last night and am now reluctant to let the mogs out after dark or ever again after some of the comments elsewhere on MN today.

What's everyone else doing?

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SilverApples · 28/10/2013 17:14

Our cat has always been happy to stay in at night. It's dark and there are hungry foxes around, fireworks, danger of traffic accidents, along with ASB individuals who like to target shoot.
He comes in for his evening snack and cuddles around 6ish, and is happy until 6-7am.

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usualsuspect · 28/10/2013 17:15

My cat always stays in at night.

He has a curfew.

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lljkk · 28/10/2013 17:17

Mine are curfewed, too. Cat Protection League asked us to curfew. I don't worry much if they are out all night, they try hard to get out.

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AutumnStar · 28/10/2013 17:17

My three are always in at night as well. I'd never sleep otherwise!

But reluctant to let them out in the early evening now when it's going dark. They seem happy enough. My beautiful ginger and tortoiseshell girls are on the sofa with me while the kitten gets up to no good upstairs.

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cozietoesie · 28/10/2013 17:27

I don't think they mind coming in earlier with the darkening evenings. Food and a nice warm billet usually make up for any inconvenience, especially when they know they'll be allowed out again at daybreak.

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CanucksoontobeinLondon · 28/10/2013 17:34

Our cats now are indoor-only, but when we had a cat that went out, we used to bring her inside every night for fear of coyotes. Canadian version of foxes, but bigger.

I would agree with the posters who say it's probably safer. If you serve dinner inside right after you bring them in for the night, that should make for a good association of ideas in their tiny brains.

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OneMoreThenNoMore · 28/10/2013 17:42

Our girls always have a curfew too, and they don't mind. I do get a bit anxious if I've forgotten to check that they're in at this time of year though, because my youngest cat is absolutely petrified of fireworks. On that note, I'm going to check that they're both in!

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everythinghippie29 · 28/10/2013 17:48

Yup, my Fluffy son is not allowed out after dark. To be fair, DP gets home when at night time anyway and tearing the cat away from the man who kitty clearly views as the greatest love of all means it would probably be quite hard to get him to leave the house anyway!

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Sparklingbrook · 28/10/2013 17:56

Yes, Sparkling Cat is always in after dark, She sometimes has a snoop round the garden with the back light on around 8pm. We have to get her in before the foxes come for their supper after that.

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Sparklingbrook · 28/10/2013 17:57

And YY to keeping them in the whole time from now on Autumn.

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AutumnStar · 28/10/2013 18:01

I know it's against the 'rulez' but that thread genuinely upset me, Sparkling. Have had to hide it.

Thanks everyone. Glad you are all doing the same and I'm not completely neurotic.

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usualsuspect · 28/10/2013 18:06

My cat is allowed a mooch around the garden in the evenings.

He never leaves the garden anyway.

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Sparklingbrook · 28/10/2013 18:08

Not hidden it Autumn, I want to see what ridiculous comments have been made in the name of cat hating.

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usualsuspect · 28/10/2013 18:09

Those cat hating threads are crap.

I just ignore them.

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Sparklingbrook · 28/10/2013 18:12

It always starts with cat poo and gets increasingly bizarre.

Since replying to this thread Sparkling Cat has gone out and is sniffing round the garden as if she has never been out there before.

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AutumnStar · 28/10/2013 18:17

You're right usual. I will be doing likewise from now on. Not been posting long so will stick to the nice cat-friendly MNetters in future!

Sparkling maybe she's off to ruin the lives of more feline haters

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Wineandchoccy · 28/10/2013 18:22

My old boy isn't allowed out after dark either, he is snuggled up in his bed with the fire on, he has the life of Riley!

Next door put there cat out at night and we heard it howling in the rain last night

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Sparklingbrook · 28/10/2013 18:28

I think a lot of people still think that you put the cat out at night, and think it's odd that you bring them in.

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damejudydench · 28/10/2013 18:33

I lock the flap when the fireworks start but ordinarily my boy comes and goes as he pleases. I don't think he strays too far. If I rattle the flap he normally appears within about 10 seconds!

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Wineandchoccy · 28/10/2013 18:34

True, I'm a big softie and like to know hes warm and dry

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Fluffycloudland77 · 28/10/2013 19:37

Yes, it gives the cats he fights with some peace.

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RandomMess · 28/10/2013 19:38

Mine are curfewed also, although one hasn't turned up yet

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moonbells · 28/10/2013 22:13

Curfews here too. We set the flap to in-only after about 7pm and then when they roll up for a snack they can't get back out. Mooncat often needs calling, though! You can tell she's an ex-stray, no inclement weather fazes her.

They get their revenge at 6am (or earlier) yowling for breakfast!

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Sparklingbrook · 28/10/2013 22:16

Sparkling Cat was very upset that there was a hedgehog in the garden earlier. She had to go out after it had gone and have a sniff to check.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 28/10/2013 22:40

Well that's enough to annoy any self respecting cat. Cheeky hedgehog.

We used to put cat food out for ours, I've not seen a live one for years.

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