Can my cat survive outdoors in -28 degree weather?

by Brooke
(Alberta, Canada)

My wonderful friend has not come home, it is January and cold outside. The morning he left the weather became horrible with blowing snow and the tempature dropped. It's now day two and we cannot find him anywhere. Is there any hope he might be alive? can an animal as small as a cat survive outdoors? He is normally only outdoors for a few hours daily...someone told me he might be seeking females who go into heat this time of year, and being he is outside daily he might have a few shelters along his way. Is this possible?

Answer from Kate
Hi
If he is a non neutered cat then yes it is very likely that he is off trying to find females. Cats will do anything to get to females in heat and so the weather would not put him off (sadly).

Yes cats can survive bad weather and they are very smart at finding shelter etc. I'm sure he will be home soon. Make sure you call him often and leave some food outside for him to entice him home.

best wishes Kate

By the way if you would like more information about neutering your cat I have many pages here on the site which you may find of further help regarding all the benefits etc. here is the first page

http://www.our-happy-cat.com/neuter.html