My cats are indoor cats, but every now and then one sneaks outside. It is 4 degrees out right now, and I'm wondering how long it is okay for him to be out there without shelter. I have heard many times that if it is too cold for me, it's too cold for my pets...
2007-03-07 19:09:30 · 9 answers · asked by The Only 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Wow. To the first person to answer this question... DID YOU HAPPEN TO READ THE PART ABOUT HOW HE SNEAKS OUT?! I didn't PUT him out there, nor do I WANT him out there. This isn't animal abuse.. he's a cat for crying out loud. They have a reputation for being sneaky.
2007-03-07 19:28:47 · update #1
He's a strange cat.. he doesn't eat anything but dry cat food. The tuna trick wouldn't work on him, believe me, I've tried. He's in now, but I was really just curious. I worry when they get out. That's why I don't like them to be out at all. Whether it's the cold, or a car.. I just don't like my chances.
2007-03-07 19:46:04 · update #2
I live in Ireland where it's 4-8 degrees this time of the year and our cat stays out all day until we get home after work. And hes perfectly fine.
2007-03-07 22:30:30 · answer #1 · answered by Elaine And Manus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that if it's too cold for you, it is too cold for your INDOOR cats. I would try to find out how your kitty is sneaking out in the first place and deal with that issue. But if kitty still gets out, I would say that if the temps are lower that 45 degrees, you need to do your very best to get your kitty back in warm temps ASAP. I don't think that your cat would freeze or anything, but cats tend to seek out warm places, and that could mean climbing into a warm car undercarriage, where, if the car was started, could be certain death to your kitty due to a fan, and if that didn't happen, then imagine a kitty being up inside a car engine while that car is doing 50 miles an hour and either trying to jump out, or not jumping out until the car has stopped, miles and miles from home.
If you have a closed in yard that does not allow kitty access to anything other than your safe yard, then you are probably ok with the cat being out as long as the temps do not get below 40 and as long as you provide a shelter (like a dog house with blankets or the like). If the yard is not secure, again, prevent the escape first and foremost, and if that isn't possible, at least be especially sure your kitty is collared and easily identified. Kitties curiousity can take them far, especially if they are not timid.
If the temps in your area are 4 degrees, you need to ENSURE your cats do not get outside, even with a shelter, unless you are also providing an outdoor heat source. A cat will freeze to death in a very short time (HOURS) at that temperature, especially if they have absolutely NO experience on finding ways to get warm outdoors (as housecats would). Best if you just prevent the cat from escaping. The cold is only one danger to a housecat out in the wild (and to them, it is the WILD), think wild animals, dogs, etc.
It shouldn't be too hard to stop the kitty from getting outside with some diligence. I have 4 cats, and absolutely no trouble keeping them indoors.
2007-03-08 04:15:39 · answer #2 · answered by Malikyla 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The cat will be fine. They are not stupid. When it gets too cold that will override the whole i want to be outside thing and it will come back in. it's not like she's going to sit out there and freeze to death on purpose just so she can be outside.
Nothing to worry about at all!
In fact it's handy. Mine tries to get out all the time and when it's super cold I let her out if she wants out. She comes back about a minute and a half later if she makes it across the stoop and doesn't try to get out the whole rest of the day. It's nice.
Your cat will be fine and should be back soon.
2007-03-08 08:31:01 · answer #3 · answered by blahblah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
His thick winter coat will provide a degree of protection... but, gee... I hope he comes back inside soon. Why not go out there and open a can of tuna while calling him? Make a bit of "to-do" opening the can - even rapping a spoon to the can's sides so kitty will hear the usual sounds of FOOD about to be served. I know how worried you must be.
2007-03-08 03:42:51 · answer #4 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animal were meant to stay outside s don't worry about them being outside once in a while its a good exercise for them since they are always indoors and the have fur so the coldness might not be affecting them
2007-03-08 03:18:50 · answer #5 · answered by TP 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say no more then an hour or so probbly would not hurt, but if you can put a cat house with a blanket or some straw in it or something outside so that if for some reason your not home to let him or her in when, he or she wants in at least that would give him or her something to get out of the cold.
2007-03-08 03:39:17 · answer #6 · answered by dianemelloniemarlenejerryginder 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try being more careful and not let them out, for the safety of your cat.
2007-03-08 09:17:27 · answer #7 · answered by hello 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I hope he's alright. It's not your fault he snuck out.
Cats are very clever.
2007-03-08 06:19:25 · answer #8 · answered by lilith 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya think? for gods sake, bring the poor things inside, that is border animal abuse depending on how long they are out there, you are rediculous
2007-03-08 03:18:19 · answer #9 · answered by ali 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋