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The litter tray

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

Original poster

Does anyone have cats that sleep in a shed etc?

16 replies

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 22/06/2021 08:08

Our cats are a nightmare, one sprays , one shouts at 3.30-5 am . I'm debating letting them move to the summer house and making that their home so they can come and go . At the moment they are in at night and awake ish in the day and that's how I have always had cats but it's causing problems . Also the two boys don't seem to like each other much despite being very close when they were kittens ( they are brothers ) . I don't want to the home them and I'm not banning them from the house or anything ( I live them ) but surely others having cats that are out at night is the same thing ?

OP posts:
PandemicPalava · 22/06/2021 08:46

Sounds like they need to be out at night prowling about. Cat flap or summer house sound ideal

Worldgonecrazy · 22/06/2021 08:51

Do you have a cat flap? And are they both neutered? If a neutered male is spraying you may need to address root cause, there is a scent you can get which calms behaviours, can’t remember the name of it.

We have cat flaps throughout the house and into the shed and our cats will sometimes sleep in there if they want peace and quiet.

Original poster
huuuuunnnndderrricks · 22/06/2021 08:54

Yes both neutered early doors and we have tried everything .. I think it's the relationship between the brothers which upsets one of them or potentially other cats spraying around their front garden . We have feliway and tried everything available .
Have a cat flap but they are locked in at night as that's how we have always 'done ' cats during my life .. we had a lot as children .
I was going to get them heat mats and they have big beds ( dog ) that they love and sleep in.

OP posts:
PandemicPalava · 22/06/2021 09:01

My cats were much happier when they could go out and about. They will be more tired during the day then too so more sleepy and less likely to fall out if they have exercise and space.

Fozzleyplum · 22/06/2021 09:04

Our cats have a cat flap which is never locked, so they come and go as they please. When I was a child, we always put our cat out at night. He had a cat flap into our garden shed, where there was a barrel, on its side on bricks, and full of straw. He was very warm in there, even in Winter.

TheQueef · 22/06/2021 09:05

One of mine sleeps in the wood hut.
She's old but stuck in her ways, I do micro heat pads when it's cold and she has a bed and some fleeces in there.
It stresses her too much being shut in.

Original poster
huuuuunnnndderrricks · 22/06/2021 12:00

Thanks .. I think I'll put their beds out there and see ho we go.. I think they will like being out at night to be honest . They are half Bengal and very tiger like .

OP posts:
BIWI · 22/06/2021 12:02

I would definitely unlock the cat flap and let them come and go as they please.

Original poster
huuuuunnnndderrricks · 22/06/2021 21:40

So tonight I fed them and then let them out again with the cat flap open . Something I've never done with any cat throughout my life but we will see if they like and it makes pissy boy happier 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
huuuuunnnndderrricks · 22/06/2021 21:42

I'm also worried they will get lost or run over because they don't really wander far from home in the day , I feel nighttime will be a different thing but I do genuinely a happy shorter life is better than a unhappy long one ..🙏🙈

OP posts:
BIWI · 23/06/2021 08:58

Do you live on/near a busy road?

Unless it's really busy, chances are that at night it will be much quieter generally. If they don't wander far from home during the day, I'd be surprised if they do at night.

Cats are pretty good about running away from danger!

Original poster
huuuuunnnndderrricks · 23/06/2021 09:08

No .. not at all. It's just alien to me . I woke up at 5 and they weren't in their beds but came in happy when I went down to look for them . Both seem happier tonight .. just need to worry less ! 🙈

OP posts:
BIWI · 23/06/2021 09:27

I know! It's hard not to worry. But the saying about cats having 9 lives must come from somewhere Grin

Bichette · 23/06/2021 09:32

Our cat flap is never locked, cat comes and goes as she pleases night or day, but we are very rural.
She was living as a stray before we adopted her so she is very independent.

PennZwicky · 01/03/2023 11:32

Hi there! I’ve only just seen your thread but it sounds similar to issues I have with my half Bengal boys! One is an angel, never does any wrong, the other is a little scamp! Sprays inside for no reason, shouts during the night etc.
How did you get on with housing yours outside at night? I’m thinking of getting a shed/run for mine where they can be contained at night. I don’t want them out and about loose, they’d hate it (they’re home boys) and I’m too worried about them getting hurt.

boboshmobo · 01/03/2023 11:45

Soo we decided to open the cat flap all the time so they can go out when they want .
We still have spraying but overall we have learnt to cope with it .
I love them both so can't separate them and they jog Along ok most of the time .

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