Cats out at night

Hello,

I'm new here, I signed up really because I love my cat and wanted to be involved in a community of like minded people. That way I can ask advice when I get worried about something like I am now....

I have had my holly since she was 8 weeks because the mother rejected her for some reason. She is now 6 years old...

Up until the recent heat wave I've always kept her in after 11pm. Do many other people let their cats out at night, if so do you worry they might be fighting or getting hurt?

James

Hello James, welcome to TheCatSite! 

Most of TCS members have indoor only cats. I am one of the few whose kitties are free to go outside even at night. But strangely when it gets dark, they stay indoors. They do the usual stuff - play, nap, bug me for treats and when I go to bed they hang around outside my bedroom door (only 2 cats ever slept with me and they have gone to the Rainbow Bridge).  So I have no worries about night time adventures. 

It is generally thought that the old way of bringing the dog in and putting the cat out at night is wrong now.  Nighttime is thought to be the most dangerous time of day, any where you live.  Why?  So many dangers!  There are cars, obviously.  Harder to see cat at night and some may be intoxicated or driving wrecklessly.  Night time hunters that would eat a vulnerable cat are out... Coyotes, owls, hawks, etc.  Yes, owls and hawks will take off with a cat.  It's better for them to be outside in an enclosed area during the day as opposed to night time.

It depends on where you live - I know in the UK it's more common for cats to be indoor/outdoor than it is in North America, but these owners tend to live in less busy areas. However, with the less busy areas, @P3 and The King is absolutely right - more predators and just as many risks as in a more city-like setting. If there are other cats around, especially unaltered ones, the cats could also run the risk of getting into turf fights and getting injured or worse. At night, it's also harder for even responsible motorists to see animals darting around. Between traffic and predators, even if I lived in a more suitable neighbourhood for cats to go outside in, I wouldn't be comfortable with them out at night.

My two cats are strictly indoors- mainly due to where I live. Busy streets and an active rail road track less than a block away. I am also in an apartment complex and I dont feel it's ideal to have them roam. Plus there are feral cats

There's just too many dangers around here

I live on a suburban street with little traffic and big back yards. Both my cats were former ferals. The female was 2 when I took her in. It was too late to change her ways. She goes out at 6am and comes back at 10 am to sleep all day in the garage. She sleeps on my bed at night. I will not let her out at night. The male was a baby when I brought him in so he has never been back out. There are too many ferals, skunks, raccoons. They are all mostly nocturnal. I do not want to worry about her.