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?

Glad you are bringing yours in OP

My cats love a good adventure at night and have a cat flap to come and go.

Usually we don't see much of them - the little cat ninjas who prowl at night with their buddies! Tonight, It's too cold, they have been around even after their supper and look like they're staying in - one is under the duvet with me (obviously setting me up for some kind of midnight cat scam...)

I know bugger all about cats but I wouldn't leave any creature outside in this apart from maybe a very well rugged horse, it's literally freezing!

The obvious thing here is to compromise. They want to be outside at night - well, they stay in their run until you go to bed and then in they come.

Cats are not nocturnal, they're crepuscular so they're not active in the dead of night by nature

It does sound quite a weird set up!

Our cat likes a little wander about 11 before bed, then comes in before we go through around 1230. Tonight she went out for a wee and then straight in to share the heated throw with me. (We don’t have any sort of hutch but she is always in the house overnight.) It’s really cold out there!

But OP it's not 'that simple' it's TOO COLD to have them out at night, it's objectively cruel!

Just get a cat flap, they obviously don't want to be indoor cats

Poor cold cats, would you hear them crying to come back in if they were too cold or if there was a fox or something?

@Theplantisgrowing

I know bugger all about cats but I wouldn't leave any creature outside in this apart from maybe a very well rugged horse, it's literally freezing!

Lots horses are fine outside overnight in literally freezing weather without any rug at all. They’re very good at keeping themselves warm.

As they’re ragdolls (I’m no expert but I imagine not the hardiest of breeds!) I think it’s good that you brought them in OP. I do know plenty of yard/feral cats who sleep in stables etc. all year round though, so I don’t think it was a silly question!

Ragdolls are indoor cats as they can’t defend themselves outside hence no cat flap I’m guessing. Ignore the outrage, OP. I would bring them in below a certain temperature and ensure their sleeping area is fully insulated.

I don't think it was a stupid question either. My cat is a former stray and sleeps in my back porch. With a hot water bottle now, in cold weather. But when we first got him he refused to come in at all, including during snow. But he is a very hardy moggy.

Why not just have a cat flap- they can then come in if they are cold. Dcat comes and goes as she pleases, she's not stupid so is currently on the sofa. Never heard of anyone putting them outside in the cold without them having a means to get in

Dcat is half rag doll by the way

I think you’re deluding yourself that the cats will be enjoying being in that hutch all night even in summer. You aren’t watching them all night so how could you know? It sounds miserable for them.

You chose an indoor cat breed. It's your responsibility to keep them inside, especially when it's cold. I hope you brought them in.

Sorry so many people were unnecessarily rude in responding to you OP. Good luck. Hope you find a solution - sounds tricky! Could a vet advise about temperatures?

I'm quite surprised at the responses. Our cats have always gone outside, day or night. Our current rescue fella goes out in the wee small hours every night ( no cat flap so v annoying getting up when Im all cosy) and he returns in the morning. This is regardless of temperature. Dont know where he goes but certainly doesnt freeze, even in winter.

@dementedma

I'm quite surprised at the responses. Our cats have always gone outside, day or night. Our current rescue fella goes out in the wee small hours every night ( no cat flap so v annoying getting up when Im all cosy) and he returns in the morning. This is regardless of temperature. Dont know where he goes but certainly doesnt freeze, even in winter.

I'm assuming you have just a regular moggy instead of a designer breed that are supposed to be kept inside? There's a few breeds that you're not supposed to let out - ragdolls being one of them.

Rag dolls don’t have to be indoor cats

A quick google:

www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-samsung-rev2&source=android-browser&q=should+you+keep+ragdoll+cats+indoors

Mine was out last night. I went out 3 times during the night to shout her. She eventually came home at 3am. She chose to stay out god knows why.

@Duke4

Ragdolls are indoor cats as they can’t defend themselves outside hence no cat flap I’m guessing. Ignore the outrage, OP. I would bring them in below a certain temperature and ensure their sleeping area is fully insulated.

I've had 3 rag dolls. I started off hoping to have them inside but they wanted to go out. They cried by the door.

Current cat is not a rag doll btw

Not all ragdolls have "easygoing natures". Some of them are just regular cats that don't want to be wrapped up in cotton wool.