to think my cats have actually fucked off and are total bastards?

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

I am due next week and we have two toddlers already

We moved to a new house 2 months ago. Cats had previously been indoors but now we have a bit of a garden we thought it might be nice to let them outside. Firstly, it was a couple weekends for a few hours and they came in. Then the past couple of days they have gone out all day without coming past the house to check we are still letting them in (which they did at first).

Yesterday they were basically gone all day but around evening time both cats came past the house and wouldn't come in when I tried to get them in. And then wandered off (they were each on their own they aren't hanging out together).

Anyway dinner time came passed dh was getting seriously freaked out we were calling for them and looking around the garden etc. They never came home last night.

Today both cats have still not shown their faces I left food out for them and nothing. We have a glass door and large windows form garden to living room, I know if they are around.

So here is my thing, if the cats are traveling separately and yesterday both seemed totally uninterested in coming home..does that mean that they have actually just fucked off? Because it's unlikely they would both be hit by a car at the same time? Or be poisoned etc as they have both been out on previous occasions and all there are several "neigborhood cats" in the area who seem to get on fine. I feel like I would be more concerned if only one came home ifyswim?

we do have hazards obviously the street near us but it's residential and fairly quiet so we would know if they had been hit.

Secondly there is a train track behind our fence which is pretty busy. But I also think cats would be able to feel vibrations and get off it. And again I don't think it was likely they would be together.

Part of me thinks that the cats sense the impending baby and have just buggered off because of that. They have struggled with the previous two so I think it's a strong possibilty But dh thinks they have been hurt.

What do you think?

[enriquetheringbearinglizard]

Reality of it is that it could be any of those things.
They're in a new area, they could simply be exploring and they could've found food available elsewhere.

How old are they and are they pretty able? Do you have any photos you could print on a flyer and put around and about to see if anyone recognizes them?

It's such a worry when pets go missing, but try not to worry too much at this stage

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

Thanks for answering.. they're about 5, fit and healthy (though on the podgy side, which is one of the reasons we wanted them to get out)...

I thought about doing flyers, but they're pretty basic looking and don't think people would notice them. Grey tabby and black.

[RandomMess]

Are there fields and things around as well?

Neighbours get regularly only turns up every three days - a mixture of 6 dinner Sid and he loves catching and eating Voles! Pretty sure there are few houses he likes to go for a nap in.

Now he's 6/7 he is starting to hang around at home more though.

We trained ours to come home in the evenings as that is when they get their treat of half a pouch of wet food to share! They are locked in overnight and have free access to the cat flap during daytime.

[Helpyourself]

Get some wet food or pouches for them. Do they have a cat flap? If not sort one out and don't let them out again til its sorted.

[falulahthecat]

My Cat went through phases of leaving for a day or two at a time. are there many other cats around? They may be 'testing' the boundaries of their territory. Not sure if you saw that programme but the cat with fields etc. near his house travelled nearly 2 miles a day.

To be fair though, cats quite often choose new owners :/

[SleepPleaseSleep]

Can you get in touch with the new occupants of your old home and ask if they've been seen there? I've heard of that a lot.

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

I have considered the possibility of them finding some nice old lady with no kids we live in a much "older" area. Bit of a hotspot for the OAP set.

I haven't explored the area too much myself, but not really fieldy around these parts I think (well a mile or 2 away maybe)

I thought about doing the pouch things but lthey haven't so much as passed by so they wouldn't know it was out there? And might lure other cats around? I will put it out just in case though.

Has anyone had this happen with they were due? do cats know or am I being silly?

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

Can you get in touch with the new occupants of your old home and ask if they've been seen there? I've heard of that a lot.

Not really but that would require a boat or a flight and a lot of paperwork for the cat anyway.. so unlikley!

[CaffeinatedKitten]

I have no idea if they have fucked off, but the general rule of thumb is that all cats are bastards:o Hope they get their furry little arses home soon :)

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

Thanks caffinated, I'm upset but dh looked on the verge of tears :(

They are his cats really. :(

[Kandypane]

How long did you keep them in for after you moved? You're supposed to keep them inside for about 8 weeks so they truly know it's home, before letting them out.

Not much you can do now other than out posters up. Are they microchipped? If so did you get round to changing the address yet?

[mrstigs]

Mine buggered off next door the day my pfb learnt to crawl and never came back. Literally walked in, took one look at the newly mobile noisy thing on the floor, walked back out and refused to come home. So cats are indeed bastards.
They may just be exploring their new territory, they obviously know where you are. I wouldn't panic just yet.

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

They are microchipped, we haven't changed the chip addres thank you for reminding me. They've been indoors for about 2 months.

Mrstigs I'm getting dh a dog.

[RedFocus]

When we moved we kept them in for a few hours until all hell broke lose and we had to let them out...fur was flying everywhere! 3 cats hung about the garden, 1 cat wouldn't stop trying to get back in and the other 2 bolted! 1 came back at nightfall the other was no where to be seen. The next day she was waiting by the back door! They have a cat flap and come and go as they please now but are rarely gone for more than a day.
Before I moved and rescued another 2 cats i had two that went missing 3 days apart....posters, flyers and handouts were given, posted or stuck up and I contacted all the rescue centres and vets around but they were never seen again I'm afraid. It just happens sometimes, something can unsettle them and they won't come home. Maybe someone else is feeding them who knows. I really hope they come back soon op because it is horribly sad when they disappear and you spend a long time wondering where they went. I suspect they are just checking out the area and have found someone who does better food and will be back soon.

[RandomMess]

Yeah cats are pretty selfish bastards!!!

They do sense pregnancy. MIL had one "bitch" cat that hated everyone apart from SIL and I when we were each pregnant, then suddenly we were the bees knees and had our knees demanded!

I really hope they come back for your dh. Cats really only do have servants.

[SummerRain]

When we moved house with our old cat he disappeared for days getting to know the area... we'd see him intermittently and he'd refuse to come in but we honestly thought he was so cross at the move he'd abandoned us. Turned out he was just having a great time exploring his new territory and once he'd marked out his patch he settled down and started coming in for long stretches again.

[Stinklebell]

I hope they come

My cats seem to take great delight in buggering off for a few days, giving us a scare, and then returning as if they've never been away

I think they think they're keeping us on our toes, the lure of their dinner bowls always bring them home eventually though

[sadbodyblue]

oh dear yes cats are buggers and bastards but you love them all the same. hope they come back soon. xx

[Rissolesfortea]

I hope your cats soon turn up safe, it could be that they are just exploring their new area.

I have 3 4 cats and one that I wish would fuck off. Two brothers that decided we would be good adopted parents, one of them is lovely and has moved in but the other one just sits outside in all weathers miaowing all day. If any of mine go out he chases and attacks them, it truly is a bastard.

They actually belong to someone across the road but they are left outside all day, and hardly fed. If anyone knows how to get rid of bastard cat I would be very grateful.

I love cats btw.

[Ericaequites]

I hope your kitties come home safe. I have had cats spend three days and nights in the woods, living on mice and June beetles. When they come home, I don't whether to kiss their check or kick their arse. I was so worried over then, and they come sauntering home, begging for supper.

[toomuchicecream]

The first time we let our cat out (after the required couple of weeks inside), he fucked off for nearly a week. We went round all the neighbours, several of whom told us they'd seen him and sure enough, he reappeared in his own time.

So when we moved here and he managed to clamber out of a tiny top window the other side of a closed door after 24 hours in the new place, we were a bit more chilled about it. After a day or 2 the new neighbours told us they'd seen him sitting on their wood store tormenting their dog :) And sure enough, on day 3 he was sitting on the front door step, waiting to be let in.

[Rissolesfortea]

Thats 3 cats not 34!

[ReadyToPopAndFresh]

Thanks everyone! They were in next doors garage! Dh spent ages begging them out and then they played him up running around garden.. but they're both safe inside now

[RandomMess]

Ah stupid bastard cats.

Yeah our girl cat in particular plays "knock down ginger" she thinks it's the best game ever...

[Megrim]

Bet the little buggers kept quiet whilst you were calling them too.

Glad you haven't been abandoned.