I've been letting my three cats out in the garden for a couple of hours in the evening,and tonight I've decided to let them stay out overnight for the first time. I never let Tigger and button out when we lived in town, because we lived next to a main road but now we live in country on a quiet lane next to fields it seems cruel to keep them inside all the time. Bryan has been staying out a bit longer than the other two, but each night it's been harder to get any of them in. So, tonight I take the plunge with them. My window will be open so if they start crying I can hear them and let them back in. I'll take opie out on his lead when its time for his final toilet trip. I somehow don't think I'll sleep much tonight for fretting about my babies.

They seem to love being out at night prowling, i can see quite a few in my cul-desac moving around happily. My Kizzi has been trained to go out after breakfast, and she pops in and out when she wants and sits in conservatory on a chair. Every evening she comes home between 6-7pm and then she's in for the night. She sleeps in the kitchen in her bed. BUT the last few weeks she's wanted to go out at night as well. She sits by frony door looking expectantly at the door handle. So I've let her out. She's been fine, in the morning she's waiting in the conservatory to come in for her food.

Don't worry, she'll be fine.

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Kizzi's Mum

If you're gonna fret why do it??????

Just because your cats WANT to stay out all the time doesn't mean it's the best thing for them.

Kids want to play with matches and eat sweets for their tea but as adults we know better and don't allow it........

The same goes for cats.

I hope your cats are safe tonight.

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Afraid you won't sleep well at all, my old boy still sometimes stays out all night, although he is usually under the shrubs below the bedroom and I can hear his bell so know he is safe and nearby, I try my best to get him in but some nights he has a will of iron and refuses to give in, afraid it's the price we pay, still he has started coming in now it's getting colder Hope you don't stay awake all night and they all come in safe in the morning

Even in a quiet rural area I'd be happier if my cats were in overnight (my girls are both breeding queens, so indoor only anyway) There are still a lot of dangers apart from roads.
Could you leave a window for them to get in by if they want to come back rather than relying on hearing them? I have had outdoors cats in the past and most of them have wanted to come home at around 2 or 3 in the morning.

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How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

Susie's been going mad to go out just as I'm going bed for the past few days. Keep toying with the idea of a cat flap.

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If only cats had thumbs

My cats are never allowed out at night. The three adult moggies are allowed unrestricted access to the outdoors during the day, but they are all kept in at night. They are used to this and sit by the back door at dusk waiting to come in, if they are not already indoors.

In my opinion, night time is the most dangerous for cats, the risk of road accidents or attacks by foxes etc is heightened.

I might add also that I live in a very rural area in the middle of Shropshire. At the front of my house is my private, no through road, driveway and to the side and at the back is a large field, with fields beyond that.

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Owned by:

Friday, Harry and Robbie - all rescue moggies; Spot and Lulabelle - both F5 Bengals

.... and love every minute of it

Bill, Charlie and Misty all playing at the Rainbow Bridge. RIP

Agreed with this ^^

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Made by smudge2009
Gloworm - Run free little man. 23.05.2011-06.09.2011

Hard decision for some i know. I have never personally let any of mine out in the night they soon get used to it and stop asking. On the odd occasion one of them wasnt in I sat up and kept calling them till they turned up there was no way I could of slept.

Anyhow I dont have cats to not have one keeping my feet warm on the bed

Infact i have just remembered once with my big man cat Angus. It was summer about 9.30pm and he was doing that I dont think so, i'm happy here under the car look. Being as neurotic as i am he had ignored the good old biscuit shake so out came the ham!! little pieces and each time a bit closer to me untill he was within grabbing distance, yes you guessed it he was to quick for me! I was running out of ham and was getting desperate and he was pee-ing me right off so i did the good old ruby tackle it was a case of get him in or be up or night waiting!!! just as i did the roll the neighbour came out to see if i was ok i'd been out there for at least half an hour... the shame summer nighty on and me on the floor half under the car!!! cat in arms wriggling for britain and me with a geoff cape grip on him!!! looking back he never even asked me what I was doing he just shook his head and went back in!!! I shall not be letting these 2 out my neighbours now would never cope with my antics!

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My 3 can come and go as they please until its gets dark then i like them in, i live semi rural but would not sleep knowing that they were still outside. Mercedes does push it some nights, rolling in through the cat flap at about 9 espically now its dark at that time but they always come in and then are asleep in 2 secs safe.

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