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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wait up for a cat?

81 replies

YouDoYou18 · 05/02/2020 21:55

Or rather, is my husband?

We got a new cat just over two weeks ago, kept him in for the whole time and let him out today. He’s been out and come back twice, and then went out about 4 hours ago and hasn’t come back in... I’m not overly concerned yet as growing up our cats often went off travelling for hours before the rolled on in... hubby however is totally panicked!

My only concern is he can’t get back in if we go to bed and it’s blooming cold outside!

How long would you wait up? Hubby had to go to Manchester overnight last night for work (5hrs each way) and really needs to get some rest before work tomorrow but he won’t go to bed if the cats not in...

Will the cat find somewhere warm? Do I stay up all night if necessary? Should I drug hubby just to make sure he gets some sleep?!

OP posts:
Dashel · 05/02/2020 21:58

I couldn’t sleep but I would have been out calling for the cat but I am a crazy cat lady and DH is just as bad.

Original poster
YouDoYou18 · 05/02/2020 22:01

@Dashel I haven’t been out calling because I’ve got the baby but hubby has been out calling, shaking biscuits and wiggling food pouches... even took our dog (cats absolute best friend) for a walk to try and find him but no sign!

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 05/02/2020 22:02

I'm currently waiting up for mine!

ellendegeneres · 05/02/2020 22:03

Mine have just come in. I wait up all night if I need to, but there have been incidents locally of this cat/ animal killer that the police have decided not to chase up/ investigate further. I wouldn’t leave them out I’d be too worried.

bigchris · 05/02/2020 22:03

We've got rescue cats and the advice is always keep them in for a month

FuzzyAtmosphere · 05/02/2020 22:04

I would get up at intervals in the night to call. Hopefully he will come home soon.

Sparklingbrook · 05/02/2020 22:04

I do this a lot. I have to have Sparklingcat in at night.

Two weeks is quite soon to let a new cat out.

whiskersonkittenss · 05/02/2020 22:04

Nope, I wait up for mine too! No way I'd be able to leave them out. I wouldn't get to sleep with worry.

pinkhousesarebest · 05/02/2020 22:06

Our cats have given us more sleepless nights than our dcs.

AutumnRose1 · 05/02/2020 22:06

Awww
I can see why he feels as he does

stophuggingme · 05/02/2020 22:07

I’ve done this once with one of my three non rescue cats
At 2am I gave up then she vaulted from the playhouse to the extension sloping roof and clawed her way up to outside my eldest son’s room and terrified him by crying and screeching until someone left her in
She is his cat so it’s as it she knew he was in that room

Little bugger

Mseddy · 05/02/2020 22:08

I once slept on the floor with the bifold doors open becuase the cat hadn't come home (after a fright from next doors dog). So I would and have waited up! I'm a crazy cat lady when it comes to mine though

Words · 05/02/2020 22:10

Two weeks is very soon.
I'd be up and worried.

EachandEveryone · 05/02/2020 22:13

I would be going out every 30 mins with the Dreamies. I hate them been out after 11pm.

YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 05/02/2020 22:13

I have a microchip cat flap, linked to my phone
My phone meows when a cat leaves or enters
However mine are in by the fire!
Hope yours comes home soon

nimski · 05/02/2020 22:16

If no cat flap I'd definitely be waiting up.

NannaNoodleman · 05/02/2020 22:17

When our old girl went missing I slept on the sofa by an open window for 2 nights.

ClientQueen · 05/02/2020 22:24

Mine was missing for 8 days and I don't think I slept apart from in snatched hour blocks. I was out at 2am, 5am...
On the sofa all night in case he came back (no cat flap)

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 05/02/2020 22:30

Im awful, i sometimes forget that my older cat is out. The dog tends to howl and wake me up when she wants to come in though. Also ds2 doesnt like her beung out over night so often checks

2 weeks is really early to be letting a new cat out i think, but then ive always had mine from kittens and always keep them in for a year

LolaDarkdestroyer · 05/02/2020 22:31

How old is the cat?

Satsuma2 · 05/02/2020 22:31

Put some of the cats used litter in the garden. Hang things on the line that smell of the cat, dog and you. They have a strong sense of smell and he/ she may have had a fright and be disoriented in a new place.
To answer your original question, yes I would and have stayed up for a cat.

ironicname · 05/02/2020 22:36

Cats are knobs. Mine always come home, but not until they're good and ready.

A cat flap is a must.

Vilanelle · 05/02/2020 22:38

Been there, done that!

Spaceprincess · 05/02/2020 22:38

You are, but I wait up for mine all the time, the unfaithful dickhead :/
I'm not sure what I think I'm going to do, ground him?

ColourMyDreams · 05/02/2020 22:46

I've always put mine outside at bedtime.
They're always on the doorstep the next morning.
I don't understand why anyone would keep them inside overnight or when no one is at home.

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