Ragdoll Cat Forums

Hi all,

I was just wondering for those who keep their stud boys outside in enclosures all the time how you keep them cool in Summer and warm in Winter.

I realise most of you are from UK and US so you proberly dont get to the high temperatures we get in Summer (we get to 103-113 fahrenheight or 40-45 celsuis) and you would get much harsher Winters. Do you have airconditioning and Heating? And I am also interested in seeing some photos of the enclosures you have.

My Mum will be getting an enclosure for our boys but I am terribly worried about if they will be too hot or too cold. So I would want to get one with a fully enclosed area with a run off the side but I am still very worried about the temperatures and how Jake & Jaz would be affected by them.

This is the sort of design I would like to get as I feel the enclosed bit will help them stay warmer, but other suggestions would be appreciated
http://www.cat-world.com.au/forums/index...pic=100996
That particular one is sold, but if Mum likes the design as well we would see the enclosure makers here in SA and see what they could do. We would put a fan inside the enclosed bit but I would still be worried about the temps.
Admin, feel free to remove this link if I am not allowed to post it.

Also, For your bicolour studs, what do you do about their pink noses/pawpads etc and sunburn. Is their a special cream you can get like suncream for us?

Thanks in advance and Sorry for the long post,
Cloe

Cloe, your link didn't work, so I can't see the picture.

Most of the breeders I know in the US don't put their boys out in enclosures (are your boys stud? I thought they were neutered???) Anyway. Most of them prepare a room within their homes that they are kept in so air conditioning and heating is not an issue.

Okay here is the enclosure, admins again feel free to remove it if this is not allowed.
There is small tunnels between the enclosure and run, so it is connected.

My Mum's words were 'Thats a bit boring' but the ones she likes I am particulary worried with the weather about as they dont have an enclosed part. They have sheltered parts but nothing enclosed like the one above.

As for the breeders in the US keeping their boys indoors, thats quite different to here then, as majority of our breeders keep their stud boys outside as they spray and smell. My boys are both neutered, there is NO WAY I would have two entire boys without being a registered breeder. I guess I will have to ask this question on an Australian forum if all the breeders on here keep their boys inside.

I think lots of UK breeders do keep their studs outside, but all of the reputable ones i'm sure have an enclosed area for them. I've visited only one breeder over here though, and that's the way hers were kept. I have seen others with runs and most of them have an enclosed area too, or else like Jenny's they can come into the house or out into the run at will.

This may be a stupid question, but I'm confused... why are you planning on keeping your cats outside, especially if they're neutered? Is this just a safe place for them to experience a little time outdoors, or are you planning on moving them there full-time?

Sarah, this will just be a safe place for them to be able to go outside when they please. At the moment they can only go outside when on their harness and leash. I understand this means that they can come inside when the weather is too cold or too hot but they may not and we would like it weather proof anyway. This may seem stupid to get a enclosure like the one above if they can come inside at please but I have to say our boys arent they smartest (they always run into walls when playing :shy and we would like a nice enclosed part all the same. Still a bit concerned about the weather bit, so please keep suggesting

HI Cloe, I breed in the UK and although I don't have a stud cat I know many who do. My friend who I take my girls to for stud has outdoor pens and runs for her boys but they are heated and lit for the winter months. She also regularly brings her boys in, one at a time, during the winter to keep them a part of the family. All of her runs are wooden with pens at the ends, the major differnece between the picture you posted and hers being the ratio of pen to run, hers have much smaller living areas and much longer runs.

Is there no way you could it like Jenny's and have just a run that has direct access from the house? That way you could block the access when the weather was too hot or cold and keep them in the house.

I think that's a great idea, giving them safe access to the outdoors! Going back to your question about the bicolors' noses, I've heard that it's a good idea to put sunscreen on their noses (and even their ears if they're very pale in color) if they're going to spend a lot of time outdoors, but I don't know which brands are pet-safe... you can ask your vet and he/she would know.
As for the enclosure, would it be possible to cover part of the top so that it provides a shady area in case they want to be outside but not in the hot sun? Also, somehow providing direct access into and out of the house (maybe a window might work, if there's a cat tree or ledge placed underneath on the outside of the house so they can access it to get back inside) is a great idea that's been mentioned by others on this thread.

Thanks Sarah, I will talk to my vet about that. Jasper has very pale ears aswell as he is a lilac so we will have to put sunscreen on his nose and ears then.

Jane, I don't think getting tunneling from the run/enclosure to the house will be an option but we will think about it and see if it would work

Thanks for the replies.

[quote=blueragdoll]
I am not sure how you get on with the heat as we are in NZ and don't get that kind of hot weather, but I do know of other breeders that put in air conditioning and have an indoor/outdoor accomodation for the cats.
As for the pink noses of the bicolour a simple 8 hour kids sun block DAY LONG is available, I have used it before and its fine for small children and cats.
The good thing is that it lasts all day and you don't need to use very much.
Its tested on humans too so must be safe for animals!