This is especially important, because your cat may face certain dangers when theyve gone missing out of your sight. Your cat may travel to the spot where the feeding takes place. Old male cat is missing from three months.some people from outside and some of our neighbors have seen him.why is he not coming backing home.and he is also wearing a collar will he be safe or not? When someone else nearby feeds them better (or just more) food, your cat might be spending more time at that house than yours, or she could just be securing the food source as a backup.. Even if your old home is quite a long distance away, you should ask the new residents and your old neighbors to be on the lookout and check the area frequently. Sometimes cats run away to find a mate. So if you have a stressful household, for example with dogs or children running around, dont be surprised if your pregnant feline is nowhere to be found. Other, more obvious reasons your cat might be uncomfortable at home include abuse from someone in your house or fighting with other pets. Why Do Male Cats Run Away? The problem with this, of course, is that the outdoors are not friendly to a cat thats already sick or injured. We do our best to help you better understand your cats, but the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Share this article with a friend to spread awareness about cats running away: Confused about pet insurance? Understanding the reason why your cat runs away can help you to find a good solution to protect your cats safety and your peace of mind. If your cat wandered off while she was in heat but came back a few days, theres a good chance that shes pregnant. While your cats aloof nature may tempt you into thinking that they dont need you, studies have proven otherwise. Here, we look at 11 common reasons that cats run away, so you can hopefully keep yours safe and close at all times. Asked a lot of peopleand wherever they would say they saw , I used to out food there. After spotting on my phone that she had left her virtual fence I noticed that she was moving quickly and along roads. If you allow your cat too much freedom, they will wander far away from home; if you abuse your cat, they will flee; if you show less concern, they will flee. Get your cat a collar Video: How to Find a Lost Cat See Also Frequently Asked Questions Top 21 why do male cats run away from home compiled by Pet Paradise (Vet Answer). When female cats have kittens or are pregnant, they require additional attention, and feeding them is a major factor if you want to keep them around. For any cat, new family members can be stressful, especially if the cat has not been properly socialized with other humans or dogs. Sometimes they just go off and do cat things. While cats have a very good sense of direction, it doesn't mean that your cat will necessarily always return home. My Family and I have been Searching for them but we still haven't found them. If you tend to let your cat go outdoors, try keeping them indoors at your new location for a month or more before allowing them to venture out. I'm realllllly hoping to invest in or buy a nice outdoor cat patio for her to spend time on (like a chicken coop). Therefore dont be surprised if your outdoor cat roams away from home on the hunt for some irresistible prey. This is particularly perilous if the object that startled them can also chase them. Try not to take it personally, cats have many normal reasons for doing this. See what Consumer Reports says aboutTractive. Will they return home on their own? If youve moved homes, make sure to keep your cat indoors for several weeks to give your cat time to adjust to the new home and area. Lost Cat? How Long Do Cats Go Missing For? | Home & Roost I feel guilty not getting her out because I found her outdoors as a kitten. Cats are naturally driven by three things primarily: If your cat has disappeared, or perhaps your cat frequently disappears and returns 23 days later, one of the above-mentioned topics might be the reason your cat is missing. Six reasons why cats run away from home | PetsRadar Leader, members of Arizona-based cult indicted on child sex crimes Join our pack for pawsome updates. Cats are mysterious creatures thats part of their appeal, but it also makes their behavior hard to decipher. "It's unlikely that many cats actually 'run away' in the sense of purposefully leaving their current home," says Head Veterinarian of Cooper Pet Care, Patrik Holmboe. Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? Professional cat thieves would most likely target expensive cat breeds, so they can sell the cat and make a profit. If you have an outdoor cat that will disappear for days at a time before coming back or one that leaves at the same time every day, theres a chance that they have another family somewhere nearby. Sometimes, cats need their own space. When your backyard doesnt provide sufficient game for your cat, she could be wandering off to find that exciting prey. If youre worried about your cat wandering off and not coming back, there are two things you can do that have the best odds of preventing it from happening: get them fixed and dont let them go outside. They could be caught in a fence, trapped in a pipe, or stuck up a tree, unable to get down. That's because cats prefer to hide away to protect themselves from potential danger. Instead of punishing your cat for making a mistake, take your time and correct them when they do. Why do male cats run away from home? Youll be too busy ducking judgements of people who werent around when you needed them. Cats sometimes run away and go missing, and sometimes they return home. 9 Reasons Cats Run Away From Home - And What to Do And a big YES on spaying/neutering!!! An experiment that was done in 1954 placed cats in a very large maze to see if they could exit the maze and head home. This will help you locate your cat via mobile phone app, or you will get notified by a local animal shelter if your cat was located by them. In some places, neutering your cat is mandatory by law so check your countrys regulations, in order to make sure your feline is safe. If a male cat is not properly managed, he might go a considerable distance in search of a female cat, keeping him away from his owner. Which broke my heart and my daughter is missing him so. ago who was an outdoor/indoor cat. You can also allow them to go outside on a leash for at least 30-60 days. Are you currently wondering, where is my cat?! One of the main reasons why male cats run away from home is because they have not been spayed or neutered. If you are reading this because your own cat up and vanished, our thoughts are with you. Keep checking animal shelters and checking in with your old neighbors regularly. The Best Way to Take Your Cat on Vacation With You. Need help with your tracker or account? She loves to research the best methods and products out there and cut through the jargon so you can see plainly what something is or how something is done. Even better, if your cat is truly hiding at homeyoull have spared yourself hours or even days of anguish! hi we want to move away from where my cat grew up is it ok to do that? Be sure to associate their name with good behavior. So, while you may believe your cat has run away from home, they might be trapped someplace. Laynie H (author) from Bend, Oregon on January 15, 2020: Hi Catrina, sorry to hear that. We are searching for an orange tabby in the neighborhoodwe miss him so much. 2. Even just nice weather is enough to cause them to leave your lap in search of some excitement. Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ. Find out where theyve been and discover their favorite spots. He didn't actually run away he simply moved. Discover why your cat keeps running away and what you can do about it in this post. A lonely cat is one thats not above hitting the road at the first opportunity. When cats are sick, they want to go somewhere remote, hidden, and quiet where they may rest and recover without being disturbed. To help your cat adjust, make sure to make him know hes still loved with attention and treats. That week turned into 10 years (his wife moves very slowly), and that kitten turned into three (they got two more, the kitten didn't self-replicate). Dont rule out the potential that your male cat will become imprisoned and never return home if he continues to chase the mouse. However, chances are also very good that your cat may travel back to your old home, particularly if they lived there for a long time. Cats are sneaky. Cats can also run from home if they feel bored. If your cats home life is non-stop terror, theyll try to run off at the first opportunity. 5 months is pretty young for them to be going solo. Having your cat fixed will eliminate their desire to wander off in search of a mate and greatly reduce their urge to mark their territory (which is good news for your furniture too). Do Male Cats Run and Chase Away Other Male Cats? - The Nest Mating instincts. If your male cat is unneutered, he may roam far from home looking for a mate. Your cat could bolt out the door the second that you open it, chew through screens, or spend hours casing the joint in hopes of finding a weakness in your perimeter. The sicker they are, the more they feel the need for security. Male cats run away from owners for different reasons, but the major reason why male cats run away from owners is to search for female cats to satisfy their male needs or reproductive needs. Include barriers in the home 3. Learn more. Some cats will want to head outside to pounce around, as the indoors infrequently has anything worth hunting for. 3. Please try again. Just tap the LIVE button in the app and see where your cat is anytime. However, the information found on Excited Cats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. Renovations to your home might be too much commotion for your cat to handle. She is 6 yrs old and is spayed and she is a very intelligent cat. Make yourself more aware of their whereabouts by putting a bell on their collar. A spayed or neutered cat is less likely to run away. You can help your cat stay happy and healthy by exercising patience, understanding, and providing fresh toys or a scratching post. We have a neighborhood cat who comes around and patrols our yard with our dogs. Because theres more activity going on outside in the summer, the summer months might see your cat running away from home more often than other times of the year. Your cat will run away from you if it's sick or injured. Cats are believed to house some magnetic geolocation in their brains that help them find where home is. If shes run away, she could be trying to get back to where she understands home to be. When your cat flees home, he is most likely marking some new territory that he can truly call his own. Why Do Cats Wander Off For Days? Where Do They Disappear? - Ask My Cats 4 DIY Automatic Cat Feeder Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures), International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day 2023: When & How to Celebrate, The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database, Help! In more urban areas, cats may be traveling to dumpsters or other sources of free food. If an unaltered male catches a whiff of a female in season, theyll do just about anything to track them down. My cat ran away in the night. Why do cats run away? What should I do? I have a strong connection with a stray female cat for almost a year. If youve just moved and your cat is running away, they are likely searching for their old territory so it pays to find the best way to safely relocate with your cat. Cats run away due to lack of proper care, 7. (According to Science), 4 Homemade Grain-Free Cat Treat Recipes (Vet Approved). This is why its always a good idea to know where your cat is at all times. Instead of wandering and waiting, its important to take action as soon as possible to bring your lost cat home again. Why Do Cats Run Away From Home? Do They Find Their Way Back? So if you do have a lost cat, make sure you call your local animal control services to see if anyone has picked up your feline. When their house gets cloudy or too noisy, or when the neighborhood becomes unsettling, indoor cats flee. Know what to do. Unfortunately, another reason why pets sometimes go missing is intentional loss. Similarly if your home has been neglected, or youve failed to give your cat the care they need, they may run away from home. If your house is a constant whirlwind of activity, though, they may decide that the only way to find a peaceful spot is to vacate the premises. In this post, we will outline and discuss all the possible and common reasons why cats may decide to run away from home when the owners are not looking. That means venturing out beyond the confines of your house. Be sure to take precautions as well. So if your cat is naturally indoor-outdoor, there's a good possibility that he or she has found something that has caught his or her attention or got caught up in the following: 5 people reported that their cat traveled a long distance to find home: 80 miles in 3 months, 52 miles in 2.5 years, 38 miles in 6 months, 30 miles in 10 days, and 20 miles in 21 daysaccording to the Lost Pet Research project. Know that you gave them a great life. Cats that havent been spayed or neutered may wander away from home to mate. After a decade of sharing his home with three cats, one horrifying realization finally set in: oh God, he's, The Two Absolute Best Things That You Can Do to Keep Your Cat From Running Off, How to Calm a Cat During a Storm 10 Great Tips, Keep Your Cat Happy (and Right by Your Side). Cats are very special beings, and I like having them around. Louise Elcross from Preston on May 11, 2020: One of my cats went missing years ago. Maybe your cat crawled under the hood of a car, or inside the delivery guys van. To prevent wandering related to mating, have your cats spayed or neutered. Keep checking the neighborhood and local shelters, as well as around your house or your neighbors houses. Luckily, cats have several ways of finding their way back home if all is fine and they dont get stuck, trapped, or injured. Have your cat's microchip information available. If your cat is on the verge of dying, they may wonder off in search of solitude and not be able to make it home again. Afraid that a tracking collar will create trouble to your curious feline? I hope he or she turns up. Please come home. Remember that cats have a strong sense of what home is, and that cannot be quickly switched. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Most cats that have run away go missing for up to 7 days on average. Do you know them all? Cats who are sick or injured are more vulnerable in the outdoors alone. Many cat owners find it difficult to comprehend why their catescapes when given the chance. My cat ran away and I have tried everything, I have not found any dead bodies, hair, or anything that would be a sine of my cat dyeing. Cats are extremely territorial creatures. Because of this, theres a myth that cats will wander off to die, preferring to spend their last moments alone. Also, refrain from shouting at your male cat; this will make him feel unwanted and undesired in your home. Unneutered male cats will also begin to spend more time outdoors and there's a higher chance of them running away. 1. These things wont eliminate all these behaviors, of course (your cat will still love to hunt, for example), but theyll greatly reduce the chances that youll be making 100 copies of a lost cat ad at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday. Do you hear a lot of cat fights in your neighborhood? Has your life been so busy or overwhelming lately that you keep forgetting to feed the cat? Maybe your cat likes chasing the butterflies or insects in summer; maybe they got distracted by a friendly squirrel or neighbor kid. I had recently moved home and thought he might have gone back there so I backtracked every day and searched for him, I left messages with missing and found cat agencies and the council who remove cats that have been run over and I put notices with promises of a reward. Why Do Cats Run Away? How Do Cats Find Their Way Home? | PetMD The Spruce / Julie Bang Does your cat's behavior confuse and frustrate you, making you think you are the only one with such a crazy cat? Space this out to every half hour and every 23 hours. Other friendly humans may have taken a liking to your kitty and begun feeding them, or even letting them inside their house regularly. If your cat does not feel safe in its territory, it will fight or it will fly. Lets find out together! Why Does My Cat Sleep With Me And Not My Husband, 9 Hints On How To Know If a Stray Cat Likes You, Why Do Cats Bite (13 Reasons & Helpful Tips), How to Tell if Your Cat is Part Bengal or Purebred: 14 Ways to Confirm, How Much Do Bengal Kittens Cost [Price Guide for F1, F2, F3, F4], How Big Do Siamese Cats Get: Height, Weight, Size & More, Why Do Cats Shed So Much (8 Potential Reasons Explained), When Do Siamese Cats Stop Growing (7 Factors Explained). If your home is chaotic, your cat may decide to take off in search of calmer waters. Get the facts about GPS trackers without SIM cards. Before the end of the day, your cat must have had two or more fights with other cats. She calls Colorado home, but has also recently resided in China, Iowa, and Puerto Rico. Here is an ironic confusing story. Most cats are within a 1-mile radius of their home when they go "missing.". Do your best to retrieve them. Microchipping can help prove that you are the rightful parent, should this happen and you can identify who took your cat. However thats not always the case. While any pet can get lost in the Great Outdoors, its especially worrisome when cats go missing. She ended up travelling down the motorway, 15 miles away. Stress could be due to having a dog or rambunctious child in the house, changes such as moving or renovations, or getting bullied by one of your other cats. Outside cats might have a moment like this while they are out and about. Put a safety collar with an ID tag on your cat; this way, its clear that they belong to your family and dont get mysteriously adopted. Thank you Layne for writing this. So regardless of whether or not your cat already has enough to eat, they will most likely enjoy a good hunt its an essential part of their cat-nature. For peace of mind, nowadays you can easily track your cat and follow their every step with a GPS cat tracker. . Why do cats run away? She will be sharing her experience with cats and other pets. Cats are capable of some pretty amazing return-home feats, but its best to not rely on this alone if your cat is missing. Here are some common reasons why cats run away: Even if you have a large and spacious house, your cat will look for new places to explore, especially if they have free access to the outdoors. Credit: Dusadeephan Phajee. Babies will need a lot more of your attention, attention your cat was likely the greater recipient of. . When cats are ill, they prefer to go someplace isolated, concealed and quiet to recuperate on their own without any disturbances. Hunting instinct or prey drive in cats, Potential reasons why cats go missing and dont come back, How missing cats find their way back home, what Consumer Reports says aboutTractive. Cats run away from home due to changes in daily routine, 14. Allowing your cat to go where they want and return when they want limits the amount of freedom you provide them. Called her many times.and I've made her litter trails around my house and placed food outside. This is due to evolutionary instincts: when they dont feel well enough to defend themselves against real or imagined predators, they will stay hidden so they arent exposed to attack. I threw a whole bunch of cat food around my homeand her litter too ,so that one day she will smell and come back. If, however, you cant do anything about (in the case of a new person/pet or renovations), it is helpful to keep up the same routine, adjust gradually, giving him the same love and creating a safe space inside for him to hide away. The mating instinct in cats could lead to your feline buddy going missing for days at a time, or even getting into dangerous situations if they get lost, stuck, or injured far away from home. As much as your kitty cat may love and adore your affection, sometimes she will take off and be gone for a while. See also: How to Calm a Cat During a Storm 10 Great Tips, Featured Image Credit by: YuliaPodlesnova, Shutterstock, Why Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet? Cats arent always known for their loyalty to their owners. Cats are creatures of habit they dont like changes in the household or to their routine. Maybe they have tastier treats, or more interesting toys than you do at home. They could catch the feline flu, for example, or become an easy target for a local predator. My cat is back I had been in search of her for all 4 daysI used to call her nameskeep her favourite food everywhere. The key is providing them with food they like during ample training sessions. Cats are popular pets that love their owners unconditionally when treated properly, but why do cats run away from home? Wishing you the best. A noticeable 29% of homing incidences occurred when an owner moved, and a cat returned to their old home (this includes cats that were adopted). Why Do Cats Run Away and Leave Home or Not Come Back? Theyre much more likely to be content staying at home, where there are comfy couches and a reliable supply of food. Cats run away because their natural impulses (hunting) are not allowed to be expressed, they are agitated, anxious, dissatisfied, bored, lack mental stimulation, they have been ignored by their owners, or they are poorly cared for. Get all our tips for finding a lost cat, including a free lost pet poster download here: How to Find a Lost Cat and Stop Them From Going Missing Again. If a tom cat's pet lives in territory that is 'owned' by another tom, he has two options: win the territory or move. So don't give upjust keep searching and they will b back to u soon.thanks guys. I also have taken her out on her leash here and there but it's been very hot and there's been lots of construction, etc. For a cat guardian, this is an emotional and upsetting experience. Female cats require food to satisfy the nutritional needs of their kittens. and freaking out just tiny bit? Build a fence around your cat and dont allow it to go around the block or the neighborhood; this will make them feel unsafe near your home. Perhaps they are off living up to their wild instincts and always hope that they will returnbecause one day they just might! Recent data suggests that personality plays no role in homing ability; however, it is likely that if your shy cat gets outside, it may be hiding close by but fear to reveal itself, making it harder to find. I hope that he is alright and nothing happened. Spaying and neutering is one of the primary reasons for cats to go wandering particularly males, and this can lead to cats getting into dangerous situations and of course, we certainly don't need to add to the surplus pet population that puts even more of a burden on already crowded shelters. This is bad because not only does it make your cat more likely to run away, but it also dramatically increases the risk that theyll get in a street fight or three, and that can expose them to all sorts of horrible diseases, like feline AIDS. I really want her to come to her kittens. Learn more about how to care for outdoor cats in winter. Get your cat a collar. Laynie H (author) from Bend, Oregon on October 08, 2019: Hi Desislava. With that being said, a cats territory is not always what you think it is; it may not necessarily just include your home. The couples take care of three kittens really well. Despite your best efforts, you cant always give your cat as much attention as youd like. If youre worried about your feline friend running off, it would be helpful to first understand why they sometimes leave, then you can think about what you can do to bring them back. Sick or wounded cats are especially vulnerable when left alone in the wild. Regardless of whether your cat is successful in their initial hunt, theyll likely find something else that they need to kill, and then something else, and so on. Cats are very curious and are prone to entering strangers' homes attracted by new scents, sights, and sounds. Out of a survey of around 1,000 pet owners, 15% of pet cats (compared to 14% of dogs) went missing, according to the ASPCA. If your cat is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and has a decent collar, you can allow for a day or so before ramping up your search. If they are too weak to get food or walk home again, they may be in danger of passing away in this spot. It was so stressful because you always think of the worse case scenarios. You are not the only one, and surprisingly your cat might be considered completely normal. Moving the furniture around, welcoming a new pet or family member, home renovations or even just loud noises; these things and more can cause stress and anxiety in your kitty and may cause them to seek refuge elsewhere. Unfortunately, dognapping is on the rise and our feline friends may be affected by pet theft too. This is when a GPS tracker for cats proves very useful! With the Tractive App, I found her in a shopping centre car park in the back of the fish van. How can I be so sure? When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Some people won't be too welcoming of a nosy cat sniffing around their home but, of course, others are going to find your moggy . Outdoor cats that dont have collars or other outward signs that they belong to someone could be adopted by another cat lover. So if your cat is lost, keep up hope. In the best-case scenario, your cat will wander off until they feel better, at which point, theyll come back home. But I don't know what else to do (ps he is microshiped and we have all documents), My cat is missing from today..she went outside the window..as she had the habit of going to next building..we have stopped her many times..but then she used to go and come back.. yesterday night she went out..I thought she would come back as usual..but she is missing ..she didn't return back..we used to love and pamper her like a kid..I don't understand where she has gone..m crying for her..God please send her back home..I care for her..I love her more than anything, My cat haven't been home for 4 weeks and that's my only hope. This means they will hide even when called. Cats dont like to socialize when theyre under the weather or hurt, preferring instead to find an isolated spot where they can recuperate in peace. Losing a pet is an extremely emotional event. Cats like to keep the peace and status quo. Many outdoor cats have been chased away by a dog belonging to a neighbor, and the pursuit might send them fleeing pretty far from home. Laynie H (author) from Bend, Oregon on November 06, 2019: Hi Lora, thanks for reading and I really appreciate you sharing your story!!! Make sure the neighbors are not spoiling your cat if you dislike this behavior. However, theres only so much that you can do to keep a cat from escaping, and if your kitty is bound and determined to be a little Houdini, you cant really stop them. Its possible that if your cat goes missing, theyre hiding nearby. A catio, or cat patio, is an outdoor enclosure for a cat attached to the house, usually via open window. If your cat moved further away from home and came into a hazard, he may have hidden and remained hidden for a while before returning home. But it can be difficult to find your stolen cat if you have no way to track them in real time unfortunately microchips wont help with that but a GPS cat tracker can. When a male cat reaches a certain age, he will develop a sexual drive that must be managed, and if you do nothing, your male cat may abandon his home and never return. I have just shifted to a new place and it's been only 4 days. However, these characteristics may get cats into many difficulties, such as going missing and being . To keep your cat engaged, provide him with a range of activities. This day suggests that kittens and seniors may not have strong homing abilities. Why Do Cats Run Away From Home? | ZooAwesome But she kept running away from the couples when they got home. An indoor-only cat that escapes outdoors is a very different situation t. Make sure all your windows and doors stay shut if theres any reason for your cat to wander off. Health Tools About Us Application error: a client-side exception has occurred (see the browser console for more information). As amazing as it sounds, cats do have a special ability called a homing instinct that helps them find their way back home. A female cat needs sustenance to maintain her kittens healthy and fit once she is pregnant or has given birth. If you constantly harass or beat them, one day, the day before you return home, they will be long gone.