Ok so I always debate with my mom about our "outdoor cat" who became an outdoor cat after peeing all over the place numerous times (now we have new carpet, can't handle it). The thing is very fat, we feed him, brush him, and he has a thick black coat....
But it is freezing outside, are we neglecting our cat? Do cats really have what it takes to survive the winter completely outdoors? I just walk out of the house in the morning and feel bad for him :( isssocold.
2006-12-08 12:53:59 · 10 answers · asked by Du_Fromage 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
...or how about buying an outhouse for the cat...like a dog house...and put some old towels/sweaters inside and cover it with an old blanket?
2006-12-08 13:01:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats who have lived indoors all their lives should stay indoors, once they get a taste for the outside they face, not just cold, but hunger, fleas, ticks, ear mites (as a result of fleas), worms, getting into fights with other cats, or dogs, cars, ect ect the list goes on and on. So basically if you want your cat to live long, bring it back in and find some way to deal with it's bathroom problem. You can find a lot of info on getting cats to use their boxes. Some even put a litter tin on the spot where the cat prefers to go and gradually moves it until the cat uses the right box in the right area. You can also try a citrussy lemon spray where the cat likes to go because they dislike that smell. Hope this advice helps and don't let the poor thing freeze!
2006-12-08 13:02:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) No, they don’t necessarily live boring lives. Some cats may need some extra toys and interaction to keep them occupied, but cats adjust. Mine are perfectly happy with nothing special. They have a couple cardboard boxes with holes in them and nothing else. Just get plenty of scratching posts and places to hide, and some cheap toys to play with them 2) Of course they can get sick and hurt, from other cats and other animals. Raccoons, dogs, coyotes can easily kill or injure a cat. You also have to worry about cars. Most animals are territorial to some extent, and there are few places where a cat is truly safe. Even neighbors can be dangerous is they dislike the cat or just aren't careful with toxic substances. 3) Yes, there are a couple ways to get them outdoors in controlled situations. You could harness train them and take them on walks. This is accomplished by slowly getting them used to wearing the harness and being walked on a leash. There are lots of online guides out there. There are also outdoor enclosures. Some are their own structures that you could bring the cat to, and some can be connected to the house with a cat door. You can get one custom made by a handy friend (or yourself), or you can buy a pre-made one. 4). I don't know how much cat doors cost. It would depend on how fancy you wanted it. There are ones you can set to only be out/in, or ones with keys that get put on cat collars so that you don't end up with unwanted animals coming in (which you really should try and prevent). You could ask different pet stores if they know of a handyman that can install it.
2016-05-22 21:48:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello, I live up in Saskatchewan Canada on a acreage, we have had indoor and outdoor cats. It can get down to -40, we have 3 fixed indoor cats and 3 fixed outdoor cats. In the winter we provide our outdoor cats free choice to go in and out of our barn. Inside the barn we make a hutt out straw bales, we also put a sleeping bag inside. We feed them extra food, provide a heated water bucket. Our outdoor cats do very well outside, they grow a longer/thicker winter coat, I have never seen them shiver, or have any trouble dealing with the cold. They spend most of thayer days outside the barn playing and roaming our acreage. We also deworm them twice a year, and chek to make sure they don't get fleas mites etc even though they have never gotten any.
If you have given you cat time to ajust, extra food, heated water bowl, a shelter from the wind and cold. You said your cat is a long haired? if he doesen't seem cold, and you ahve provided the above, then I see no problem. I would recomend fixing him if you have not though, he may wander away from home looking for lady cats. Hope this helps (=
2006-12-08 13:26:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want the cat to do a repeat give it a room of its own. Sure it might make it thougth the winter but why risk it. Or if you dont want a room to the cat, what about a area set up in the garage that is warm and it wont want to flee back out.
2006-12-08 13:04:08 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's really mean. Can't he spend the night in a bathroom for these long, dark months when the temperatures go so low? Put a litterbox in their and a bed of soft stuff for him. He will probably use the box if he has to.
If he is "naughty" it is easy to clean up in a bathroom and he can't damage the new carpeting.
2006-12-08 13:01:20 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my parents leave our cats outside when they are bad they become outdoor cats and survive the winter fine
2006-12-08 12:57:31 · answer #7 · answered by catcfh1020 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is too cold, you could always crate him and put him in the house or garage. That way if he pees, it's not on your new carpet. Personally, I'd keep his tail outside!
2006-12-08 13:23:23 · answer #8 · answered by Dixie Dingo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i think it is a little to cold for the cat.. if you can put him in your basement or in a room that has heat... put a litter box where the cat is it might stop peeing all over the place..
2006-12-08 12:59:08 · answer #9 · answered by goochie07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-12-08 13:06:54 · answer #10 · answered by ena g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋