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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.

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Original poster

Cats in cold house

18 replies

Cakemonger · 08/03/2023 16:37

I’m on holiday and our two cats are being looked after by a daily cat sitter. It’s the first time I’ve done this and having looked at the weather back home I’m wondering if they will be ok in the cold snap? It’s literally freezing outside. Is it enough that they can snuggle together?

OP posts:

WeCome1 · 08/03/2023 16:39

Have you left the heating on at all, thinking about frozen pipes? I would probably leave it on low generally.
If you haven’t, I’d ask the cat sitter to put it on.

bellac11 · 08/03/2023 16:40

We have the heating ridiculously low when we're away, something like 10 degrees. The cat has a fur coat to wear. She's shameless about it

helpfulperson · 08/03/2023 16:46

I leave my heating on at 15 when the cat sitter is coming. And have said to her to put the fan heater on if she wants during the half hours she is there so that adds a boost.

Although they have fur coats they do feel the cold.

DomesticShortHair · 08/03/2023 16:51

helpfulperson · 08/03/2023 16:46

I leave my heating on at 15 when the cat sitter is coming. And have said to her to put the fan heater on if she wants during the half hours she is there so that adds a boost.

Although they have fur coats they do feel the cold.

They have fur coats?! Well, I must say, I find that a bit insensitive considering their job.

Oh, you meant the cats have fur coats, didn’t you?

Allergictoironing · 08/03/2023 16:52

Can you direct the cat sitter to some blankets or towels that they can pie up so the cats can make a sort of nest?

WombatChocolate · 08/03/2023 17:00

I think cats are fine. They always find a way to cosy up on a bed or elsewhere.

I would be more worried about the pipes freezing, but cats are okay, as others say, fur coats are nice and warm.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 08/03/2023 17:01

Can you not ask the sitter to pop it on for a bit while she's there? I do pet-sitting and would be more than happy to do this.

Elieza · 08/03/2023 17:07

I’d consider my pipes in scold spell and put the heating in at low or 15 degrees or whatever just to save getting extortionate emergency plumbers bills if a pipe bursts. Better safe than sorry. Especially in a flat that could affect other properties.

If the cat sitter is in the house for any length of time she should be warm too. So I’d consider that as well. It’s not just about the cats. Either let them turn it up while they are there or you do it remotely.

Original poster

Cakemonger · 08/03/2023 17:08

Thanks everyone - I will ask the sitter to put the heat on low. They do have lots of blankets to nest in. Big Cat has been known to get over his disdain for Little Cat when it’s cold and let him snuggle up to him 😊

OP posts:

pawz · 08/03/2023 17:10

I put the heating on 18-20• over Christmas when we went away 😂

Always worried about them being cold when we're away!

AuntieJoyce · 08/03/2023 17:14

Anyone remember that thread from year or two ago from the poster who left the central heating on overnight for the cats? That was a great read. I’m surprised we’ve not had one this year to be honest.

Original poster

Cakemonger · 08/03/2023 17:20

@AuntieJoyce I’ll check it out 🙂

OP posts:

crazeecatladee · 08/03/2023 17:21

We have a 'living flame' gas fire and as soon as it's put on the little cat will jump down from preferred perch (DH lap) as sit in front of the fire in a 'sun worship' kind of way. When they come in for breakfast. they both hurtle towards the radiators- so I'm guessing they can detect heat.

AnImaginaryCat · 08/03/2023 17:26

helpfulperson · 08/03/2023 16:46

I leave my heating on at 15 when the cat sitter is coming. And have said to her to put the fan heater on if she wants during the half hours she is there so that adds a boost.

Although they have fur coats they do feel the cold.

That's because they are all fur coat and no knickers.

caringcarer · 08/03/2023 17:32

I'm guilty of having my underfloor heating on in kitchen for my cats. They also have igloos to sleep in with blankets in too.

2023Hope · 08/03/2023 17:44

I have a heated pad for my cat, she loves it!

I had to live somewhere for a while that had no heating and my cats coats actually grew longer quite quickly !

WombatChocolate · 08/03/2023 21:33

If it’s cold, our two who usually bicker all the time, can be found curled up together. In the morning, we come down and find them still asleep and curled up together and blinking as the light is switched on. They do t like getting up too early on the cold mornings.

Clearly, they do like the warmth, but I wouldn’t ever have the heating on just for them, and even less so now with the cost of heating. I really do believe they’re fine and it’s not cruel to not have it on overnight etc.

Okunevo · 08/03/2023 21:39

I'd either have left it on 24/7 at 10 degrees, or leave it as mine already is, at 14 for a couple of hours. My cats are smart and will go upstairs to the warmest room if they are cold.

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