Please reassure me cats come back after a night out?!

[saltedcaramelicious]

We've had him since new year, and was let out for first time a week ago and been good as gold at coming back in. He was let out at 10pm last night however, and hasn't been seen since. Was called for all night and this morning, food packets and treats shaken outside, garage checked.
Getting worried now

[girliefriend]

How old is he and is he neutered?

99% of the time they come back so I wouldn't panic yet, he is probably having a wander about. Also it was a full moon last night which always makes my cats go a bit weird I couldn't get my girl cat to come in last night but she kindly woke me up howling to be let in at midnight!

If he is not back by teatime then I would start asking neighbours to check sheds and having a walk around.

Hope he turns up soon.

[chockbic]

They usually do with a look of what's the problem?

Might be an idea to keep him in at night.

[Beanie99]

Mine wandered off for a couple of days once, which is totally out of character for him. He came back with oil on his paws so I'm thinking he'd got himself shut in someone's garage or shed. I was worried sick at the time but luckily he's never done it since.

[saltedcaramelicious]

He's 5 and neutered and chipped. Fingers crossed he's back soon.
Forgot it was full moon last night, so hoping that has something to do with it!!!

[girliefriend]

Let us know when he turns up!

[acharmofgoldfinches]

We've had two rescue cats which have done exactly the same thing - a short time after being let out for the first time, they suddenly enjoy themselves too much and stay out all night!

Our latest puss did that only this week, my DH was out looking for her at 4 o'clock the other morning (the night before the full moon, temperature was minus 6!) and she eventually tipped up about 10.30 the following day with Chocbics "and your problem is?" look on her face...

With a bit of luck your boy has just been out on the tiles all night and then fallen asleep somewhere snug. He'll turn up eventually, I think they do it just to make us extra glad we've got them .

[timtam23]

Mine went off for 3 nights about this time last year - I was in despair. Posted on here and had loads of reassuring replies about cats going off for a wander & coming back eventually. If he doesn't come back today I can pass on plenty of tips for trying to lure them back!

[saltedcaramelicious]

Thank you everyone for the reassurance. Still no sign. Have been walking round the neighbourhood shaking treats and calling him have let all immediate neighbours know, shared on Facebook and posted on local cats lost and found pages just in case. Have sprinkled his used litter in garden.

timtam if I could have your tips that'd be great please.

[girliefriend]

Oh dear o.kay you are allowed to start worrying now!

It sounds like you have done all the right things, the cats protection league are usually very helpful in advice for lost cats and tend to have their own lost and found pages as well. I am sure he will turn up soon

[acharmofgoldfinches]

Oh that's not fair, he's supposed to be home by now...

Suggest a bowl of his favourite dinner outside the back door, and is there a door or a window to a shed or greenhouse in your garden that you could leave open overnight (I know that's not possible everywhere) so he's got somewhere dry and warm to sleep if he wants it?

Really feel for you, I know this is horrid .

[chockbic]

Come home puss

[tomandizzymum]

Here's my story of a missing cat. We have a kitten, well two actually, that we thought were brother and sister, took them for shots yesterday and the vets just informed us that they are not bro and sis because she's probably a month younger than him (3 months, him 4) I thought she was just small. So at 2 months she disapeared! The only conclusion was that she climbed into or under a guests car. The kids cried and for three days we feared the worst. Then on the third night I heard crying outside, she came home, a tiny kitten, dirty but unhurt. She must have been carried a couple of miles and she found her way back!!! She was skittish when she went missing, since coming back she's been the world's most domesticated kitten, even doesn't mind our boisterous labrador.
I hope your cat comes back. They don't say cats have nine lives for nothing!

[timtam23]

saltedcaramel so sorry he's not back yet

I had hoped you wouldn't need any tips but this is what I did:

The litter being outside is good, also the contents of the vacuum cleaner bag/drum, and hang out his blanket or whatever he sleeps on - his sense of smell may lead him home

If you have a regular milkman & postman ask them if they can keep an eye out for him as they usually know the local gossip & can pass the word around

Register him as lost with the microchip company and let all the local vets know and any animal shelters as well

There is a national website for lost pets, can't remenber the name at the mo but I did register my cat on there (as advised by local RSPCA) - it didn't come up with anything useful for me though

Print off a load of flyers and put them through as many doors as you can - include a request to check sheds/garages as sometimes people don't think to look. Notices on lamp posts don't always get the same level of attention.

Facebook local group is a good idea, and a Twitter-using neighbour also kindly tweeted about my cat being missing

Try going out again with food at night when it's quieter, you may have a better chance of hearing a miaow

The one I found hardest - ring your local council (probably environmental health) as I think most councils keep records of any callouts for animals hit by cars, and I know my council scans for a microchip, or tries their best to find a collar, and they would contact the owner if at all possible. I hated making this call, but at least knowing that there were no reports of dead cats gave me hope that he was still alive & well

It is still early days, good luck, there were 2 really lovely stories on here recently about returned cats & at least 1 of them had been missing for 6 weeks. My cat just turned up again in the middle of the 3rd night and we still have no idea where he had been.

[saltedcaramelicious]

Well after a restless night of little sleep, HE'S BACK!
Turned up at the doorstep half an hour ago as if nothing had happened, he's clean and not ravenous so maybe he's just been on an explore rather than shut in somewhere. Soooo glad to see him, as was our other cat!
Thank you everyone for the hand holding and tips!

[ophiotaurus]

Glad he came back!

[acharmofgoldfinches]

Oh that's fantastic news to wake up to, they are a nightmare aren't they, sauntering in without even the slightest concern that you've been up worrying about them half the night...and all they want is their breakfast!

have a lovely day

[Hullabalooey]

Was worrying with you! Really happy the hear the little stinker has returned.

[AncientsOfMuMu]

I'm so glad he's come back.
I know it's been mentioned, but I'm another that never lets the cats out when there is a full moon, especially when there is a clear sky. They just love mouse hunting by moonlight! In fact, I'll often see them in the garden and they refuse to come in, despite me trying to tempt them with food. The rest of the month they will come in as soon as it gets dark!

[tomandizzymum]

Brilliant news!

[cozietoesie]

They ought at least to have the grace to look ashamed but No - it's usually that 'What's your problem?' look, a good saunter and - if you're especially honoured - a very extrovert display of willie-washing. Blighters.

I'm glad he's back.

[girliefriend]

Phew! So glad he is back I do think full moons send cats slightly more crazy than usual!! I bet he will sleep lots now.

[chockbic]

Hope you've told him off.

Willy washing and pom poms.

Oh my

[RubbishMantra]

Willy Washing

MCat does that when he stays out after his curfew, like he's bragging about his exploits.

Glad your cat's back with you salted.

[susiedaisy]

Glad he's back

[timtam23]

Delighted to hear he' s back!