Will my ragdolls freeze tonight?

[Count2three]

I’ve two rag doll cats. They used to go out but are now house cats due to risk. Anyway they became so desperate to go out at night we decided to compromise by putting them in a hutch with a small run underneath, which they love. Every night they cry to go out so I put them to bed with their supper.

It’s freezing tonight and I’m worried it’s too cold for them. For info, in their sleeping area, there are towels and blankets with a microwaveable heated pad underneath. The mesh door is covered with a sheet and a towel to cut down the wind.
Will they be ok in these temperatures?

People reccomend straw for outdoors not blankets but my old cats used to have a similar set up and they were fine they piled onto each other and the hot water bottle

I don't have cats but if the risk is them greetings frost bite or them being upset they're not outside surely you'd choose the latter over the former?!

Yes, think it’s too cold tonight. Bring them in!

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I saw that online recently and wondered whether to replace. Think I will. I’m certainly reassured with there being two of them

I don’t have the same set up, but a catio that my house cats use. One of them will choose to sleep out there if he can, but I’m keeping him in tonight. Definitely too cold.

It's going to be minus 5 tonight! That's too cold

Why would you possibly want to leave them outside in freezing temperatures in an uninsulated wooden hutch?
Just bring them in
If someone asked this question about a dog there would be an uproar

I obviously asked this question because I’m unsure of cat tolerance to the cold. If I knew I wouldn’t have posted would I?

Thanks, decision made, I’ll get them in! Will order some straw too.

@Count2three

I obviously asked this question because I’m unsure of cat tolerance to the cold. If I knew I wouldn’t have posted would I?

But why would anyone else know more about your cats’ tolerance to cold than you, OP?

I specifically sought a cat forum where others might have had a similar dilemma.

I just think it's a very odd question because shutting cats outside overnight in a hutch, is a very unusual thing to do.
Only stud cats would normally live outside like that but they would have proper heating in their outside houses.
Obviously cats may choose to be outside but if freeranging can decide if they want to go
In if it's too cold or find a warmer shed or barn for instance.

Hmmmm? Why on Earth are they in a hutch in the first place with no access to inside? Is there a reason you just have a cat flap?

It might seem unusual but it’s for overnight only. It’s a large one with a big run. They love being in it, a compromise for indoor cats who want to be out at night. There’s a sleeping area which includes food and water. It’s that’s simple.

Mine have always been fine

I've never heard of anyone putting cats outside in a hutch. Sounds cruel.
Why can't they sleep inside?

Cats in a hutch is mad. For goodness’ sake bring them in and install a cat flap.

Ragdolls are a flat faced breed arent they? The effects on their respiratory system would be my concern. Moggies would probably be fine.

Nope my semi feral cat is in tonight, she's smart. You're the boss with the bigger brain , ragdolls aren't the smartest breed but definitely the cutest

Get them in! It's bluddy freezing!

They definitely need to be in, cats are usually most active dawn to dusk, so we hold they may be keen to be out at bedtime, chances are that they want to be in in the middle of the night when they can't be. The catio is for daytime only here, and that is with an insulated shelter.

Far too cold.

The hutch idea is bonkers.

Cats live in houses. If they wanna go outside at night, maybe put them in the run for an hour then bring them back in? It’s dark at 5pm!

OP I find this concerning because it isn't just tonight that will be cold, we are literally coming into winter.

Use your common sense, the cats should not be sleeping outside in winter. Don't you have a cat flap to allow them to come in and out as they wish?

Another worry with hutches is predators, a hungry fox ate my friends rabbit one night

Why don't you cat proof your garden and get a cat flap then they can choose?