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The litter tray

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Original poster

Tom Cat In or Out At Night?

24 replies

catmam · 13/01/2020 20:19

I've taken in a stray tom (well we think he belonged to one of the neighbours who moved house and left him behind Sad). He would have wandered into everyone's house if their door was open, spraying, stealing food. I done the decent thing - got him neutered and he's been staying with us ever since. He's turned out to be a lovely cat. Eats, sleeps during the day, he'll sit by the door and meow if he wants out. No bother at all out of him. Thing is, I don't know if I'm supposed to put him outdoors at night or is it too cold at this time of year? Between DH bedtime and DC breakfast time would be 6-7 hours, longer at the weekend. Is that too long to be outdoors?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 13/01/2020 20:20

No cat should be out overnight. Much higher risk of accident or injury.

Original poster
catmam · 13/01/2020 20:23

Should I get him a litter tray for night time then? He's been in a few nights and just 1 or 2 accidents to clean up the next morning.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 13/01/2020 20:23

Cats should always have a litter tray inside. In case of being caught short etc.

Elieza · 13/01/2020 20:23

I vote for in. Less trouble from other cats and less risk of damage from fighting them!

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/01/2020 20:24

Litter tray and locked in overnight.

TW2013 · 13/01/2020 20:27

We keep ours in at night. They tend to be most active at dawn and dusk. They sleep much of the night and nicer for them to sleep indoors. Just don't let them upstairs unless you want a 5am wake up call with a loving lick on the lips!

TW2013 · 13/01/2020 20:29

Yes litter tray inside. He will soon adapt.

ListeningQuietly · 13/01/2020 20:29

I've never locked neutered cats in at night.
I've had cats for over 30 years.
The only one to be badly injured was at tea time (twice) - and he lived another 8 years.
Currently have an entire cat and I cannot wait to get rid of the litter tray after they are neutered.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 13/01/2020 20:30

I live on a quiet road and mine have a choice to go put at night. They regularly take the opportunity.

I always sleep with a window open so if they are in they can get out anyway.

dementedpixie · 13/01/2020 20:31

Could you get catflap and then he can come and go? We did that but we still have a litter tray if they want to use it.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 13/01/2020 20:32

out not put.

8paws8legs · 13/01/2020 20:34

In, especially if you don't have a cat flap, also is he chipped? If not get that done asap.

Original poster
catmam · 13/01/2020 20:45

@8paws8legs no he's not chipped yet

OP posts:
Original poster
catmam · 13/01/2020 20:46

Another house in the park have a cat flap and have had unwanted visiting cats in with their own so have blocked it off! I'm at home most of the day so he can get out/in whenever he needs. It's just I wasn't sure what to do at night. I'll get the litter tray set up. Thanks everyone for your knowledge and advice.

OP posts:
MrsBricks · 13/01/2020 20:49

I keep my cat in at night. She usually comes in between 9pm-11pm and goes out again around 7am.
Don't have a litter tray as she never used it and no accidents yet.

ListeningQuietly · 13/01/2020 20:50

Catflap with chip reader lets them come and go as they please.

I know that mine go out around 11pm for about half an hour and then for an hour around dawn.
Other than that they stay indoors at night
and the chip reader stops strangers coming in

justcly · 13/01/2020 20:51

I keep mine in all night and let them out first thing before they have their breakfast. They always come back quite quickly, eat and then go for a snooze. Lazy little gits.

Pipandmum · 13/01/2020 20:51

You can get a magnetic cat flap that only lets your cat in (they wear something on their collar that lets them open the flap).

ClientListQueen · 13/01/2020 20:55

Mine stays in all night (no cat flap)
He won't wee outside Hmm during the day he is in and out or if I'm working he's out before and after work

ListeningQuietly · 13/01/2020 20:56

pip
The microchip ones are easier as then no collars are needed

Vinorosso74 · 13/01/2020 21:00

Much safer to keep them in overnight. Plus it's warm and dry inside.
Ours has a litter tray but prefers to hold on until he goes outside. Occasionally he'll use it but it there if he needs it.

BovaryX · 13/01/2020 21:02

catmam
You have done a really kind thing taking in a stray cat and looking after him. Great that you had him neutered. It is natural that he wants to go out at night, but as others have said, preferable he stays in. Good idea to get a litter tray and also you could get him microchipped and then get a microchip cat flap which would prevent anyone but him accessing it. You can set a timer on those to shut it until you want him to have outside access. Good luck and good on you for offering a home to a stray

Notthebloodygym · 13/01/2020 23:08

Our cars would never use a litter tray at night.

Pascha · 14/01/2020 06:52

We've always let ours out at night but only with a working cat flap. In reality what happens is they slept indoors most of the night and then disappeared across the fields at dawn and back again for breakfast. This time of year I don't think they ever stirred til we got up anyway (lazy).

When we lived in town I kept them in at night.

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