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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Help - moved 10 months ago cat has just found old home!

4 replies

starfish4 · 16/04/2015 14:51

Our cat, Toby, was much loved by our old neighbours, they used to let him in, give him snacks and one let him sleep in his house. Although, we really wanted Toby to ourselves, we knew he was happy and particularly got on well with one lot, so sort of accepted it.

We moved 10 months ago and he has shown no interest in leaving the road, let alone finding his old house, up until last week and he's been back four times since. I've asked our old neighbours not to let him in or feed him, in the hope he realizes there's no attraction there. Also, he's not coming back unless I go and get him. He's going there when it's dark, when no one is around and roads are quiet. He seems happy to follow me home, but runs as soon as a car comes so it takes a long time.

Has anyone got any advice on how to handle this. I know the old neighbours still love him, but I'm worried he's an old cat and not used to crossing a busier road between the two houses, so I want to deter him. Also, any advice on getting him to come home - should I just leave him longer and hope he comes back of his own accord.

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 16/04/2015 14:56

Keep him in at night time. Best to keep cats in after dark anyway. That's when they're most likely to come to harm. RTAs, foxes, drunk humans etc.

thecatneuterer · 16/04/2015 15:00

Yes keep him in at night. And when you go to fetch him for heaven's sake use a cat carrier.

shaska · 16/04/2015 18:53

Not what you want to hear but the cat I had who did this ended up living at our old house with the new residents, as he just wouldn't stop going back and with the risk of something happening to him on the way there it seemed safer just to let him make his choice.

But definitely go and get him ASAP, and keep him inside for ages once you get him home - six weeks even, if possible. Didn't work for me but might work for you!

gamerchick · 16/04/2015 18:56

I do agree you're probably going to have to keep him in for a decent chunk of time to se if he forgets.

In the meantime I wouldn't let him out at night.

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