Cat not coming home at night

[baba]

My cat loves to hang out on my patio and always stays close - doesn't usually leave the patio during the day.

But about 8:00 pm when it's starting to get dark he leaves the patio and doesn't come home all night no matter how much I call him.

He's always right outside the door in the morning but he will not come home at night. Is there any way I can make him stay at home at night? Why has he started this behavior? Thanks.. my feelings have really been hurt about this.

 

[ArtNJ]

Cats are more active at dawn and dusk. Twilight hunters basically. Combine that with spring & its a big deal to them. At some later point in the evening, they look for a safe, cozy spot to sleep. So as a practical matter, if an indoor/outdoor cat isn't in by a certain point, its likely spending the night outside.

So your feelings shouldn't be hurt. Its just something that indoor/outdoor cats do. If you want the cat inside, bring them insider earlier.

If the cat is an outdoor only cat, you could try making a cozy sleeping area on the patio. There are structures you can by that provide dry warmth and shelter.

 

[baba]

Thanks for your reply. There is a little bed I have for the cats in my attached shed. Sometimes he's in there - this morning he was in the bushes. We're having tons of rain and he got so wet. Why he didn't use the shed I don't know.

I have started keeping him in but I hate it when he starts crying or scratching at the door to go out. He obsessively scratches at the sliding door to go out.

You have made me feel a little better - he is young (will be 2 next month) and I know he just loves to hang out in and out. I want him to enjoy the outdoors but I don't want him out all night. I'll just have to keep him in at night. Funny, he doesn't leave our immediate area in the daytime.

Thanks again!

 

[ArtNJ]

Why he didn't use the shed I don't know.

The odds of a cat using a bed that you have bought or suggested are

 

[baba]