It is ok to have your kitten sleep outside?

Question

Last night we put our 10 week old kitten outside to sleep. He had been sleeping in the garage until last night and he spends most of his day outside. He didn't even sleep in his little cat bed, but on the patio furnature! This morning I went outside and the kitten was still sleeping, and looked fine, but wasn't quite as playful (Fluff [the kitten] is a VERY playful kitten). I got him some food and water and he acted like everything was normal. Is the kitten mad at me and my family for making him sleep outside? Is it ok to leave him outside at night? We live back in the woods and the only other cat we've ever seen around our house is a stray, but it gets along fine with our sweet little kitten?

The kitten also stays outside sometimes till 1 or even 2 in the morning until we bring him in, and when a racoon or something comes around, he just sits there, like he doesn't even care

One more thing, he never leaves our deck and has shelter there

Answer 1

OK here goes, I put my cat outside about a year ago when he was about 10-12 weeks. I got him neutered shortly there after. He is a terrific cat!!! He kills shrew and mice that would otherwise come into our home(in the country), I've watched him wait for cars to pass before crossing the road but for the most part he stays on our property. He is scared to death of vehicles and if he hears one he won't go near the road. We have opossoms and racoons that come onto our portch if we leave his food out at night and he just sits there and watches them eat! He is fully vaccinated. So, we no longer have mice in the house (we did before he came along), we don't leave food out at night, he gets along with the wild creatures including the deer that visit our yard. The biggest problem we have is he digs in my flower beds.

To those of you who think it's wrong...I say @&#* you. It depends on where you live and how well you take care of your cat! I hope you all have mice in the house!

Answer 2

Six weeks old is actually too young to be taken from it's mother. However, I have had several cats over the years and none of them have slept with me. I always put kittens in their own box on the landing outside my door and they soon get used to that. As they grow and become more independent they stay downstairs. Your kitten will get used to being alone - make a big fuss of him when you are together and remember to provide him with plenty of cat toys.

Answer 3

Every cat's got their own character, very much like humans. So u'd find them making their own decisions at times.
It's frustrating I know, but they'd like to pick their own sleeping area. (Preferably somewhere which emits warmth. Power area, they call.)
Being nocturnal animals, they are most likely be playful from evening till night, or when they have had enough sleep.
They are animals of high pride, and the moment they would be mad at u is when u laugh at them when they accidentally fall or when caught in an embarrassing situation. (Stifle the laugh!) That is when they start pruning themselves to 'save face'. Other than that, they can pretty much feel your love for them.
It's ok to leave him outside, just make sure there is shelter for him when the weather turns unfavourable.
Cats mark their own territories, if they've already got the issue sorted out, all should be all right.
Last note: remember to get him a flea/tick collar.

Answer 4

Your kitten was probably out exploring all night which is why he is sleeping instead of playing.
If you feel it is safe enough for him out at night I don't see a problem with it. Keep in mind that the woods house predators that eat other small mammals and that there are diseases that your cat can catch from other cats - diseases that there are no known cures or vaccines for like FIP and FIV.
Your cat may get along with strays but not all strays will get along with your cat. These diseases are spread through bodily fluids and can be given to your kitty via sex and/or fighting. Cats are nocturnal animals, therefore if they are going to get into fights this will most likely happen at night.
Make sure you spay/neuter you kitty, too.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Raccoons in our area will kill kittens and young cats. Possums won't, but the raccoons will. So will foxes, coyotes (which we have in the middle of Milwaukee, yes they do live in cities), and large owls.

Stray dogs will go after cats too, and you're exposing your kitten to cars on the road as well as any burly tom cat who may want to run him out of the area. It's not a good idea to leave a kitten out there unprotected.

Not to mention the FIV, FeLV, fleas, worms and other things he could easily get from other cats and animals.

Answer 6

I don't think i'd leave the kitten outside. He is still learning/growing. Also it is said that indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats. Especially if you live in the woods - many things could happen to your kitten. I've had cats be attacked and my cats are ONLY indoor cats now. I don't feel like taking the chance that something may hurt them outside.

Answer 7

So you put a 10 w/o kitten outside? Would you put a 2 y/o baby outside? Its just about the same. Cats can learn to live on their own, but it takes training from a parent cat, or learning by defending itself. At 10 weeks, a kitten isn't strong enough to defend itself.

Answer 8

Having an indoor-only or indoor/outside cat is totally up to the owner and what works best in their situation. It also makes a difference where you live.

Since you are in the woods, the kitten is less likely to be exposed to cars and other city hazards, but will be somewhat vulnerable to wild predators, vermin and fleas/ticks.

I think it's great for cats to spend time out of doors. That's what they were made for - and that's how they have fun - chasing butterflies and bugs and napping in the warm sunshine. I let my older cats stay out all night because that's the best time for hunting and they don't want to sleep then anyway.

But for a young kitten that's still vulnerable and learning to hunt and protect itself, I would recommend keeping inside at night until he's bigger.

Also, once he goes outside more and more, protect him from fleas and ticks with Frontline or some other treatment, and also with regular vaccinations and worming.

And if you want to avoid nasty cat fights and him impregnating strays, considering neutering, too.

Best of luck!

Answer 9

Just as long as you know that your next question over here will be like the many we see "My outdoor kitten got lost last night, we are so sad that we can't find it anywhere". And even if he is an outdoor cat, he is still too young, you should wait until he is 3 months old at least.

Answer 10

it might not be a very good idea to let a kitten sleep outside. ( i'm not trying to make you sound like a bad pet owner or anything) The thing is, predators like owls, coyotes, and dogs might get it. if the kitten sleeps on your porch and it is covered, it might be ok though. good luck with your new kitten! they are soooo sweet!