AIBU to be worried stupid about our kitten?

[follyfoot]

We took on two rescue kittens (now 6 months old) about 7 weeks ago - they are absolutely lovely. They were both neutered/speyed about 10 days ago and are doing fine. We have been letting them go outside whilst we were at home for about the last 5 days. They have been going for a potter and then coming in within the hour. Tonight we popped out for a drink and let them go outside when we went as they were both crying at the door. We were gone about an hour and when we came home the little boy kitten came to greet us. But his lovely sister is nowhere to be seen. She's been gone about 4 hours now which is unheard of for her as she's a timid little girl.

We've called and called her but she hasnt come back. Am now worrying about foxes as she is quite small despite her age and we live in woodland.

Can anyone cheer me up and tell me she will come home? Our last three cats all lived to be very elderly so its been many years since we have had to fret over a kitten. I'd forgotten how worrying it is when they go awol....

Went up to the field behind our house. I called her and heard a little meow. Called twice more and heard two more. Went back to change into some boots (its all brambly and barbed wire) and when I went back, not a sound. No idea whether it was her or not, but it did sound like her. Was worried that she was trapped, but presumably if she was, she would have meowed when I went back - also took dried food and shook it, still nothing the second time.

anymore news?

Sending positive vibes for Rosie to come home.

We had one go missing for about three days. Awful. Come home soon Rosie. Does she like any stinky food like fish? The smell could draw her out. I would take some to where you thought you heard her. Have a good look in case she is caught up or something.
Mine always come to a whistle! Or catnip! Worth getting any neighbours to check sheds or garages. Yes ours would hide there too!

A tip I heard of was to empty the hoover bag/jug contents in your garden (familiar house smells) in case they are lost. Plus put some v smelly food out to tempt them back.

Come home soon Rosie.

No news I'm afraid. Gordon her brother is very busy pacing the garden, presumably looking for her He hasnt even had a nap today.

Our neighbour heard a cat meowing last night but there are other cats around here so that could have been nothing.

We're going for a good look around again soon (we've been up and down to the fields several times today). Will try the tips re food and hoover. I did wonder if she was up a tree, just from the direction of the meow, but as the meowing has now stopped, I guess that cant be the case.

Thank you for being so lovely everyone!

Does she wear a collar? She could have got a leg caught. Hope you find her well. If you let Gordon out would he try and find her?

Good luck finding her

(Putting my vet nurse hat on briefly, Please stop feeding GoCat as it is a food that seems to cause blocked bladders in male cats.. Iams is another.. [when we get them in, 95% of them are fed on one of those foods] Blocked bladders are medical emergencies and csause kidney damage and on going expensive health care)

OOhhh SecretSquirrel....is it a danger to females,too?

They're on wet kitten food mostly squirrel - just had the kitten Go cat in as that was what they were on when they came to us.

No collar by the way, so at least we havent got that worry.

Just a thought, but when you left to go out last night did you walk or go by car? If you walked she may have followed you & might be 'waiting' for you at where you went to.
I had a cat who was notoriously bad at doing this! Definitely worth re-tracing your steps if you did walk.

Hope she comes home soon.

No duo, we went by car - and I even hung out of the car window with a torch just to make sure neither of them were behind the car. But all the thoughts and tips are really appreciated.

We've been out searching again, Gordon came with us and he meowed his way round the fields, bless him. Suppose if she had been anywhere near she would have responded to him.

Smoked haddock or something on the back doorstep? Something reeeaally smelly? Are there sheds/outbuildings she might have got stuck in that you can check?
Really hope she comes back soon, one of mine went missing once after a thunderstorm, only for 4 hours but I was so worried.

Still not back yet?

Don't give up hope folly, she could be hiding somewhere and watching you call her and won't come in until she's good an ready.

There really is no rhyme or reason to what they get up to sometimes.

One of ours buggers off for days sometimes, and just as I think I'll never see her again she's back shouting for something to eat.

No, she's still not home Its turning very cold here tonight so I think our hopes are beginning to fade. DH says not to beat myself up for letting them stay out whilst we werent at home but still am.

It's not your fault

Seven weeks it plenty long enough for her to see your house as her home now, and five days exploring outside is a good time for her to get a sense of where she is.

You have to let them out at some point, you haven't done anything wrong so no need to beat yourself up.

Poor Rosie :(

If she's not back by the morning I'd print off some leaflets with her name and description (picture too if you've got one) and post them through all the doors for a few streets radius. Ask people to check garages, sheds etc in case she has got trapped. Worked for us when one of ours went walkabout. We got a phonecall a couple of hours later from someone who said something black had flown past their legs when they opened their shed door. Sure enough, a few minutes later the cat was crying at the back door, rather hungry after his four day ordeal, but otherwise unscathed.

Really hope you find her.

Watching this-I do hope she turns up soon-I fear for her being trapped somewhere.It is absolutely not your fault-she is old enough to be let out and it wasnt long-cats are their own people which is why we love them so much.Keep us posted please.

Rosie please just go home.