I let our 2 year old pussy out yesterday morning, he ate his breakfast and then did his usual, lay on top of the boiler house. He lay there until about lunch time when he wondered off and hasn't come back. He has disapeared before but never missed more than 2 meals, he missed his dinner last night, breakfast this morning and dinner time for him is between 4-5 so he's missed todays as well. I'm worried as last night temps dropped to -6 around here, could a cat survive in them temps? His bowl outside still had food in it last night, I got up this morning and it was gone but there is no saying it was him that ate it, his mates would call around regularly and check his bowl. We leave the window in the small toilet open for him to come in but never appeared. Should I be worried?
Kitty's gone AWOL?
Originally Posted by 1manonthebog:
“I let our 2 year old pussy out yesterday morning, he ate his breakfast and then did his usual, lay on top of the boiler house. He lay there until about lunch time when he wondered off and hasn't come back. He has disapeared before but never missed more than 2 meals, he missed his dinner last night, breakfast this morning and dinner time for him is between 4-5 so he's missed todays as well. I'm worried as last night temps dropped to -6 around here, could a cat survive in them temps? His bowl outside still had food in it last night, I got up this morning and it was gone but there is no saying it was him that ate it, his mates would call around regularly and check his bowl. We leave the window in the small toilet open for him to come in but never appeared. Should I be worried?”
“I let our 2 year old pussy out yesterday morning, he ate his breakfast and then did his usual, lay on top of the boiler house. He lay there until about lunch time when he wondered off and hasn't come back. He has disapeared before but never missed more than 2 meals, he missed his dinner last night, breakfast this morning and dinner time for him is between 4-5 so he's missed todays as well. I'm worried as last night temps dropped to -6 around here, could a cat survive in them temps? His bowl outside still had food in it last night, I got up this morning and it was gone but there is no saying it was him that ate it, his mates would call around regularly and check his bowl. We leave the window in the small toilet open for him to come in but never appeared. Should I be worried?”
Concerned at this stage.
Any sign yet ?
If it is any consolation most of my neighbours have cats and there always seems to be one going missing. Then they return after putting their owners through hell. Imo cats are natural survivors. I might be wrong - but I wouldn't worry too much about the weather. Hopefully he hasn't had an accident. Have you checked lost and found websites, RSPCA, local vets? When a friend's cat went missing she put up posters everywhere.. But she also discovered, in the case of another cat, that a neighbour had taken to inviting the him in and buying him special food 'because he likes cats'. And that was where her cat was when she couldn't find him! 
Yes he has returned but I think someone else is feeding him, he comes home for food then runs away again and he doesn't even eat all his food, he doesn't come into the house anymore in case he can't get back out again.
Attach a note to his collar saying "please do not feed me, I need a special diet".
Hopefully whoever has fallen for his 'hard up' routine will then realise their mistake.
Hopefully whoever has fallen for his 'hard up' routine will then realise their mistake.
Well said Muze I never understand loving an animal and letting it roam and possibly disappear if we did it with dogs wee would be prosecuted for neglect.
Originally Posted by molliepops:
“Well said Muze I never understand loving an animal and letting it roam and possibly disappear if we did it with dogs wee would be prosecuted for neglect.”
“Well said Muze I never understand loving an animal and letting it roam and possibly disappear if we did it with dogs wee would be prosecuted for neglect.”
I've had cats for years, some like to lay about the house while others would rather roam, this guy in particular likes to treat us like a B&B, sleeps at home but is happier out and about most of the day, it would be crewel to keep him locked up when he likes his freedom.
You think dogs wouldn't enjoy freedom, it's not cruel to keep them in, some rescues even insist they are kept in these days.
Crewel is a type of decorative needle craft BTW.
Crewel is a type of decorative needle craft BTW.
Dogs are pack animals that like to be with their family. Cats are solitary hunters who like to roam from base. Obviously some cats can't be allowed out for health reasons, but if a cat can excercise its natural instincts then it should be allowed to.
My cat is going stir crazy this morning as she is being kept in for a vets appointment - I really think she would suffer being incarcerated permanently.
My cat is going stir crazy this morning as she is being kept in for a vets appointment - I really think she would suffer being incarcerated permanently.
Originally Posted by molliepops:
“You think dogs wouldn't enjoy freedom, it's not cruel to keep them in, some rescues even insist they are kept in these days.
Crewel is a type of decorative needle craft BTW.”
“You think dogs wouldn't enjoy freedom, it's not cruel to keep them in, some rescues even insist they are kept in these days.
Crewel is a type of decorative needle craft BTW.”
LOL I blame auto correct
Originally Posted by molliepops:
“You think dogs wouldn't enjoy freedom, it's not cruel to keep them in, some rescues even insist they are kept in these days.
Crewel is a type of decorative needle craft BTW.”
“You think dogs wouldn't enjoy freedom, it's not cruel to keep them in, some rescues even insist they are kept in these days.
Crewel is a type of decorative needle craft BTW.”
Which rescues insist that cats are kept in?
I browse a lot on rescue websites in Hertfordshire and London and the only cats recommended for indoor living only are those who have never been outside or those with health issues. It's certainly not the general policy of the RSPCA or Cats Protection for healthy cats, provided the prospective owner's home is in a quiet location, not near busy roads. Small, independent rescues may set their own rules - but not the ones I know around where I live, they just insist on ''not near a busy road'' or ''no full time workers'' in the case of kittens.
OP, can you not fit a cat flap? My cat flap confers freedom on my cats, giving them the choice of what they want to do. This time of year, even though it's not really that cold, my 3 cats only venture out for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
As has been said so many times on these types of threads, the law in the UK allows cats to roam. Until the law changes (unlikely) the indoor cat brigade cannot force their opinions on those of us who like our cats to have freedom although I respect their own decisions with regards to their own cats (if they even have any cats).
Originally Posted by 1manonthebog:
“I've had cats for years, some like to lay about the house while others would rather roam, this guy in particular likes to treat us like a B&B, sleeps at home but is happier out and about most of the day, it would be crewel to keep him locked up when he likes his freedom.”
“I've had cats for years, some like to lay about the house while others would rather roam, this guy in particular likes to treat us like a B&B, sleeps at home but is happier out and about most of the day, it would be crewel to keep him locked up when he likes his freedom.”
Cats are like people. Some are home lovers and don't go out very often. Some like to be outside most of the time. Some are loyal to their owners, others couldn't give a crap as long as they get fed. Some are affectionate, others cold and aloof.
Originally Posted by Nicola32:
“IMO....keeping a cat inside that wants to go out IS cruel.”
“IMO....keeping a cat inside that wants to go out IS cruel.”
Couldn't agree more.
