What happens when a cat runs away from home?
Cats sometimes run away and go missing, and sometimes they return home. They can be gone for several days or disappear entirely. For a cat guardian, this is an emotional and upsetting experience. We often trust our cats to return home, but what happens when they don’t?
Where do cats go when they are dying?
Not all dying cats go away to die, a cat who is outside and becomes seriously ill (through trauma or disease) may not always have the strength to return home and will seek out a hiding spot such as a shed or under a house or bush.
Is it normal for cats to leave the House?
Leave a door to your house open. Some cats (indoor-outdoor) come and go as they please. This is normal behavior. 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. Otherwise, call your cat every 5 minutes. Space this out to every half hour and every 2–3 hours.
Why does my cat not want to be touched?
Some cats just don’t like being touched, but if yours normally does and then suddenly doesn’t, consider pain as a possible cause. As previously mentioned, a painful cat won’t want to be touched and this often leads to aggression.
Not all dying cats go away to die, a cat who is outside and becomes seriously ill (through trauma or disease) may not always have the strength to return home and will seek out a hiding spot such as a shed or under a house or bush.
Can a cat go from being outside to inside?
Fact: Many cats have successfully gone from outdoor-only or indoor/outdoor to indoor-only. The key, again, is making sure the indoor environment is just as interesting as outside — and being vigilant about preventing escape attempts. Read our article Transitioning an Outdoor Cat to Indoors for tips on how to do both.
What should I do if my cat won’t leave the House?
Stop free-feeding your cat, or at least be mindful only to feed a healthy amount per day. (Yes, cats do overeat. You can consult your vet about how many calories your cat should be eating in a day.) Have a cat who won’t stand for an empty food dish?
Some cats just don’t like being touched, but if yours normally does and then suddenly doesn’t, consider pain as a possible cause. As previously mentioned, a painful cat won’t want to be touched and this often leads to aggression.
