My roommate's cat wants to go outside, but I won't let him.

[NightTrain]

Every other time I've seen Palazar standing in front of the door, I've opened it and let him go outside. But not tonight. It's all of about five degrees out there, with snow and ice on the ground and a wind chill factor well below zero. Seems to me, the kitty ought to stay indoors tonight!

So help me out here, cat experts. Am I doing the right thing, or should I let Palazar go outside into the Arctic Express?

[notadmblnd]

1. you know, I told mine the same thing, It's too cold to go out....

but he just wouldn't listen. So he went out for about 20 minutes and came back knocking on the door. He is now curled up on the couch sleeping.

[NightTrain]

6. My problem is, I might not hear Palazar when he wants to come back in.

My bedroom, where I spend the lion's share of my time, is up on the second floor. With the windows closed and Air America playing on the computer, I'd never hear the kitty meowing to be let back in. My fear is that I'd leave for work tomorrow morning, only to discover a feline popsicle on the stoop!

[livinginphotographs]

2. As long as he has a bathroom inside...

No.

My roommate's cat is the same way. He doesn't have a litterbox, and it's cold as shit outside, but when he's gotta go he's gotta go. But if he's going to get sick, it's worth it to let him piss on the carpet. Colds can kill a cat, unlike a human.

[NightTrain]

7. Yup, he has a litterbox.

OK, it's settled. Sorry Plazar, but you're staying inside tonight!

[livinginphotographs]

9. Glad I could help.

If I know cats, he'd prefer a warm blanket to the cold any day.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

3. No! Do not let kitty out!

frostbite can set in quickly-do not let pets out in this weather!

:scared:

[0007]

4. If the cat is an indoor outdoor cat let him go!

[Bronco69]

5. I'm not a cat expert, but I say NO!

I won't even let my dogs out if the temp drops below 30 except to go pee, and as soon as they are done I take em back inside.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. Keep the cat indoors!

I doubt he saw the weather report and has no idea he'll be turned into a kittysicle!

[huskerlaw]

10. Keep him inside

We had indoor/outdoor cats when I was a kid and we used to let them out into the cold Nebraska night. Or at least we did until one of them got frostbite and the tips of his ears fell off. After that, no matter how loud the protesting, they were kept inside.

Cats are very resourceful and even with temps that low, he probably wouldn't die, but he could definitely be injured. Meanwhile, keeping him in will annoy him, but certainly won't hurt.