My tom-cat Georgy

[SPOCKED]

My cat had to spend the whole day outside since we were both at work. We really haven't seen him use the cat house since I added the heat pad. It's very frustrating - he used to LOVE that house but now we're thinking he isn't even going in it (and it's wintry cold outside, of course). Why would that be? All I've done was move it 6 feet and add the new pad...

It might be true that the heating pad is too much. It might just be overpowering or stuffy within that enclosed space. See if he'll go back in without it.

There are a few square feet of space in his house (it's actually pretty big) and a blanket covers the other half of the box floor - so it isn't a stuffyness issue, I hope. And I don't want to use an extension cord, which I'd need if I put it back where it was when he regularly used it. Is it possible that another cat got in there and perhaps left it's odor or something? I put his food bowl (when he's out for the day) next to the entrance and we have a LOT of cats in our very small neighborhood. Again, I can't swear he doesn't use it, I just haven't seen him actually in it lately.

Still, I'm considering putting it back in it's original spot and see what that does. The thought of him being outside for 8-9 hours while we're away in some bitter cold weather (and NOT using his house) is just too much.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Hmm, he probably wouldn't let the other cats near his food; cats are very territorial. I wonder if the heating pad allows him to not use the house as much, since he can warm up quickly and thoroughly and then resume his patrols?

 

[SPOCKED]

^ Wish I knew for sure because tomorrow neither of us will be home and it's only going to be between 7 and 17 degrees. I don't think I can run the risk of leaving him out there.

I spoke to one of the nurses today who supposes that another cat has "marked" the house and now Shimmy won't go inside. I've taken the regular blanket out to be washed but won't have any way of knowing before tomorrow. Fortunately, Friday (which is even colder than tomorrow) we're home.

ETA - yeah, I've decided it's just too risky to leave him out tomorrow. Until I see him back in the cathouse with my own eyes, he'll have to stay inside in this extreme weather.

 

[Marie1]

The stray I took in a few months ago is being desexed today.

He isn't happy. Georgy is food-obsessed (due to him being so underfeed before he came to us) and he hasn't been allowed to eat since 7 o'clock last night. He is also at the front door miaowing because he wants to go outside. Little does he know that soon he will be forced to go into the cat carrier which he hates.

Today is not a good day for him.

I am paying for this operation out of the coins I have saved during the last six months. I managed to save over $300 out of which I also bought my beloved Miss Chicken a cat gym/tower.

Miss Chicken gets a wonderful toy, Georgy gets his balls cut off. It that fair?

My third cat, Spider is getting nothing at all.

Expensive yes, but you're doing the right thing. You're doing your part to cut down on the stray and "unwanted" pet population. I'd do it to the strays here, but they keep getting hit by cars. I have a great deal of contempt for the people who are dropping off their sick animals to die slowly of starvation because they won't pay for medical bills, or turn them in to a shelter.

Its even more than fair what you're doing- its good and kind. Which considering what's about to happen is kinda funny.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^ Wish I knew for sure because tomorrow neither of us will be home and it's only going to be between 7 and 17 degrees. I don't think I can run the risk of leaving him out there.

I spoke to one of the nurses today who supposes that another cat has "marked" the house and now Shimmy won't go inside. I've taken the regular blanket out to be washed but won't have any way of knowing before tomorrow. Fortunately, Friday (which is even colder than tomorrow) we're home.

ETA - yeah, I've decided it's just too risky to leave him out tomorrow. Until I see him back in the cathouse with my own eyes, he'll have to stay inside in this extreme weather.

A wise precaution.

I really don't think another cat has marked it, though. Shimmy has already marked his territory and defends it. I'd be very surprised otherwise.