My cat hasn't come home and it's my fault! Should I confess to my husband?

[Nellythecat]

My husband and I have 3 cats. They used to be house cats but since we moved 6 months ago they go out quite a lot. We live in a very quiet street, with not much traffic. There are only houses on one side of the street, and the other side has trees, bushes, etc. The cats love it and although we don't have a cat flap, when we are in the living room we leave the window open and the cats come and go as they please.

If we go out we put one cat out and make sure the other 2 are in. The one that goes out won't use the litter tray so we were having lots of 'mess' indoors, but that's all stopped since she started going out more. If we're in (I'm not working at the moment so am in lots) then she stays in and generally goes to sleep on the sofa all day. At night we call the other 2 in and she happily stays out. She always stays near our house and usually appears from a bush opposite the house each morning.

Anyway, I grew up with cats and was used to going out for the day and leaving the cat out. My husband had dogs as a child so he hates going out with the cats out, and won't do it (apart from the one we always put out, but she's a funny little thing and doesn't like him anyway so he's not too fond of her, though always kind to her of course). He was once a bit concerned when I said I'd gone to the local shop and left the cats out while I went. I was gone for all of 10 minutes.

Today my husband went to work early this morning and I pottered around a bit with the living room window open until I had to go out to an appointment. When I was ready to leave all 3 cats were out, it was reasonably warm but not too hot out, and I thought it would be easiest to leave them out. I shut the window and left. I was gone for less than 2 hours.

When I got home my oldest cat heard me and came out of the bush opposite and into the house with me. I opened the window and called the other 2 but they didn't come. That was just after 11am and there's been no sign of them since. I know it hasn't been very long, but my boy cat always comes when he's called. The other cat is the one who is used to being out more so I'm not too concerned about her, but even so she does normally come when called. She absolutely adores him though, so I'm guessing that wherever he is she is too.

I've been up and down the street calling them and no sign. I thought I heard his bell jingling though that was probably wishful thinking. I also looked up and down the streets either side of mine (mainly because I was worried they had been run over there) but no sign. He has stayed out for longer than this before, but then when I've called him he's always come back straight away.

The worst thing is that they've disappeared because I went out and left them outside. If they had gone missing while I was in the house I would be worried but I wouldn't feel so guilty. My husband is due home about 5 and if they haven't turned up I am tempted to say they have gone missing while I have been in. But then I will feel so guilty! But I know he will be upset with me if I tell him the truth! What do you think? I have to tell him the truth really don't I?!

[Nellythecat]

Wow, that was long. Sorry!

[RedwingWinter]

The boy cat was probably enjoying his new found freedom. Did they come back?

[storytopper]

If the weather is OK they are probably just enjoying themselves somewhere. They'll come home when they are hungry. Two hours is hardly any time to leave cats out - stop beating yourself up.