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

Original poster

Cat has gone missing :(

48 replies

KwazyKupcakes · 16/10/2016 20:14

Help :(

I have two adult cats, a neutered and girl - they're Bengal crosses, so quite big and pretty. We let them out yesterday for the first time - and one of them has just gone. They had a day going in and out, pottering in the garden; then they went out at 10pm and one (the boy) has not con back.

I am so worried. We've done all the usual, wandering around calling and shaking a treat box (he's ruled by dreamies usually), but no sign of him. We've spread litter in the garden but it's such a wet night and last night was torrential so I'm worried he's totally lost.

The girl is really keen to go out. Should we keep her in (I don't want both to vanish....) or let her out so she can maybe help with the scent he can follow?

Thanks :(
A

OP posts:
Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 16/10/2016 20:14

*neutered boy and a neutered girl

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MsMims · 16/10/2016 20:34

Oh dear Sad

How long were they kept in for before being let out? If about six weeks, that should have been time enough for them to get themselves familiar with where they live.

I've had cats go missing before but not the first day they went out. I agree that he could have got overexcited and wandered off, but also he could be trapped somewhere, especially if he tried to shelter from heavy rain.

Get down on your hands and knees to check bushes and hedges incase he's been spooked. Ask neighbours if you can check their gardens as you will be more thorough. He may not call out or come to you even if he's close by, so check every nook and cranny.

Get posters up and fliers through people's doors. Don't mention he has bengal in him.

Not sure what I'd do about your other cat, if she was used to going outside I'd let her carry on. But when she's new to it too, I'd be a bit worried that she might come across him then wander off with him when he could
be disorientated himself or deliberately choosing not to come back.

Fingers crossed he comes strolling through the door without a care in the world.

Northernlurker · 16/10/2016 20:37

I wouldn't let her out now tonight. Maybe tomorrow when you can watch her. Are you near busy roads? Are hey microchipped? Also have you checked in the house? The one time we thought we'd lost ours she had shut herself in a drawer.

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 16/10/2016 20:56

Thanks ladies. I feel like a terrible terrible first time cat mother.

Think I'll keep the girl inside tonight - good advice on the potential for them both to get lost, especially as he's the more dominant personality.

They were inside for two weeks - this was advice we got from blue cross and from other cat owners we know (and from mumsnet and catchat). They are such confident, noisy cats - they've been going stir crazy in the house. So we thought the timing was right, and now I'm crying over spilt milk. And I'm pretty sure they aren't in the house - no way would he be quiet for so long!

We have a Locklatch to let them in and out, so hopefully he'll come home on his own in the night. Off for another hunt. There is one 40mph road near us but otherwise it's a fairly quiet estate with lots of green bushy areas around it.... Not sure where to start there...

Theyre microchipped, but still registered to the old owners - who we have told.

:(

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Northernlurker · 16/10/2016 21:00

Cats protection told us four weeks. How far away are old owners?

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/10/2016 21:01

Hopefully he's just exploring, Bengals come back in their own time.

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 16/10/2016 21:03

About 30-40 miles - so far enough that it would be really hard for them to roam home!

To give some background, they have always been outdoor cats. The previous owner was really clear with us about how adventurous they were. But apparently it's usually the girl who'd be away for a a day or two - the boy would stay quite close.

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Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 16/10/2016 22:04

And thanks fluffy x

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MsMims · 16/10/2016 22:27

Definitely keep the girl in if it's only been a couple of weeks.

Night time can be a good time to look, less noise from traffic so you can hear better if he does cry out, and take a torch so his eyes reflect back if he's just hiding under a hedge.

Hoping he's back soon Flowers

timtam23 · 16/10/2016 22:47

Oh no...
Try putting something out which gives a good scent of home - used cat litter, his bedding or the contents of the hoover bag. Agree with going out late at night shaking treats. Fingers crossed he's just gone off for an explore. Mine disappeared for 3 days once - it was a very difficult time but he then turned up out of the blue. Stay hopeful!

Wolfiefan · 16/10/2016 22:48

Hopefully he will be back soon. In future I would keep them in at night.

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 17/10/2016 07:19

Thanks everyone, for the advice and reassurance andFlowers

He's still not back however :( did not sleep at all last night, and i have to go to work as does DH. God I feel like such a chump and I'm so sad and worried.

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BorpBorpBorp · 17/10/2016 12:12

Hope he's back soon Flowers

Are they both chipped and registered to your address?

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 17/10/2016 20:56

Yep, chipped and registered. Steeling myself to call the pet crematorium (who pick up roadkill) tomorrow in case of the worst :( posters up later tonight.

Their old owner has been so sweet and helpful and is helping us look, and has reassured us that the girl used to do this a lot.

It's just so wet and he's just so beautiful and friendly, I worry the little tart has made new friends!

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FunSponge82 · 18/10/2016 14:08

Really hope he turns up and he's ok Kwazy

BennyTheBall · 18/10/2016 14:13

Hope this is one of those threads with a happy ending!

Fingers crossed.

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 18/10/2016 14:43

Thanks - still no sign of him this morning, and his sister is getting very anxious and needy. I have given her outside access today, as hopefully her scent will help bring him home (their old owner recommended this).

Thanks again - posters are up and lots of people in the area have shared details on Facebook so fingers crossed!x

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cozietoesie · 18/10/2016 14:56

Good luck.

Northernlurker · 18/10/2016 17:41

Oh I wS hoping he'd be back Sad

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 24/10/2016 23:18

Just to add that I'm not just being rude and not updating - the cat hasn't come back Sad Feeling really very low, as is DH. And our other cat, the little girl, is very confused and needy and sad too.

Sad
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cozietoesie · 24/10/2016 23:21

Don't even think about us. We're all rooting for you.

Take care.

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 24/10/2016 23:34

That's just so, so nice of you to say - thank you, cozie. I actually welled up. Feeling really down.

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OttersPocket · 25/10/2016 09:14

You posted on my missng cat thread Kwazy so I'm posting on yours to say I know exactly the pain you're going through and I'm sending lots of love and positive thoughts. I understand so well, I'm on the verge of tears constantly too. xx

Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 05/12/2016 18:37

JUST HAD THE BEST NEWS!

Got a call saying someone has my cat! They've enticed the boy in and are keeping him happily inside (proving my theory that he's anyone for a bit of fish...). I live an hour from home so I'm speeding there now - but I am in happy disbelief!!

Any tips for how to reintroduce him to his sister gratefully received....

:)

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Original poster
KwazyKupcakes · 05/12/2016 18:38

Edit: *work an hour from home

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