How cold is too cold?

Well... I believe in keeping kitties indoors. And if the temperature is in the teens (or even the 40s), I'd let the dog in too! Is there any reason why you can't bring them inside?

You may have noticed a thread I started that's titled very similarly to yours -- "How cold is too cold for my kitties?" Several people gave terrific suggestions there, including some that apply to outdoor situations...

Well.. okay, spraying might be a reason not to let the kitty in. But are you sure he's not ill? Sometimes they spray because they're not feeling well and need to go to the vet...

Yes, I'm sure he's not ill. He doesn't really spray, but he pee's, especially in my sons room and it's just awful!! I don't like having an outside pet that can not come inside, and I feel just horrible about it!! He's such a sweety and I love him so much.

Originally Posted by StarCat

Yes, I'm sure he's not ill. He doesn't really spray, but he pee's, especially in my sons room and it's just awful!! I don't like having an outside pet that can not come inside, and I feel just horrible about it!! He's such a sweety and I love him so much.

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Sounds like he never really learned what a litter box was? Sometimes you can retrain a cat to use a litter box by isolating them in a room (like a bathroom) witht he box in there and dig their paw in it.

As far as temperature, with shelter and a bed he should be fine if he's conditioned to it. Animals naturally weather the elements and though sub-freezing isn't that great for them you can do what you can to provide warmth. There are beds you can purchase that trap body heat but don't need to be plugged in and they still warm up, you might look into something like this (or a heating pad of some kind). Wild animals survive fine in these temperatures, and ferals do fine as well. My cats get easily cold because thye are not conditioned to it.

If he's urinating and not spraying though I think its possible to bring him inside. He either has some crystals in his bladder (or UTI of some kind) that causes the peeing or he just dosen't know what a litter box is which can be learned with training.

We have barn cats (all fixed now) and they sleep in boxes/blankets in the barn. They stay out all year round. If its really cold you will only see them when they come in the morning for food/water or evening for food/water. We change the water 2-3 times a day or when we see them as its frozen.

If you cat is used to outside, he should be ok. Just provide him with the shelter and blanket or shredded paper. Place the shelter away from the wind if you can. Shredded paper (a lot) will make very good insulation!

Be sure he has access to unfrozen water. Our cats drink when they eat then go back to the barn.