Aibu to turn my cat into an indoor cat?

[OytheBumbler]

We don't have a cat flap so Dcat comes and goes as he pleases when we open the door.

When he's in at night he sleeps in mine or dd's bed but he often wants to go out.

My aibu is that on these cold nights (-5) id like him to be in at night and I'm sure he would be if he wasn't in someone's else's house.

On the nights he doesn't return he turns up in the morning smelling of someone's else's house/perfume.

I've tried putting a collar on but he gets it off, I've spoken to my local neighbours and they said they don't let him in so what should I do?

He's my cat! Should I get a litter tray and keep him in for a few weeks even though he'd hate it?

Why do people take in other people's cats? I've been calling him tonight and he'd definitely come if he wasn't locked in somewhere.

Cat owner here. I would be livid if my cat came back smelling of someone else’s perfume / house etc. No it’s not the norm to take in other peoples cats, but that being said how do you know that the person doesn’t think he’s a stray & doing an act of genuine kindness? I would keep him in from now on. The change of routine may be a ball ache to start with but I definitely would be persistent re it.

I completely agree with wanting him in at night, especially in this weather! But you'll probably find if he wants out he wants out. It would be hard (and possibly unfair) to try to keep him in because he's chosen a second house he quite fancies.

This happened with one of our family cats when I was younger, he'd keep going missing for days and when he eventually came home he'd then disappear a few days later and so forth. One day he came home with a little note in his collar with a number to ring as he'd been taking up residency in their house. We called the number and the neighbour across the street waved from the window, then we figured where he was going!! Only to the house across the street and we'd missed it. He would just not stay with us and we felt it was unfair to keep him in when he so desperately wanted to 'move home'. We agreed he could live with her and still got to see him time to time.

Cats are funny things. Have you ever heard of the term 'Cats don't have owners, they have staff'? Yep....

He's such a friendly cat though. He's tried it on with all the neighbours and had them feeding him chicken and tuna! I'd often find out he'd been sleeping on their beds whether they wanted him to or not!

Eventually I went round to the neighbours and said the dc are really missing him not coming home and could they please not let him in.

I think he's going further afield now but I can't knock on everyone's door!

I worry when he's out because he doesn't like rain/cold and will always come in if he's around.

I just think keeping him in (against his will) will let people know he's not a stray. And will perhaps make him realise where his home is!

Have you looked at cat trackers/GPS? Just looked at a few myself online. Look fun and interesting. Think I will be getting one when new kitty can start exploring outside.

Some cats will travel miles esp at night.

Guess you'll only find out whether yours will be ok staying in by trying. Cat charities recommend keeping them indoors at night these days anyway.

Yes I see what you mean. It's a tough one.. I have my 2 cats (albeit indoor) but to be fair if they started going awol I would be keeping them in and not giving them up for anybody

When he next comes home try the litter tray & keeping him occupied/distracted from wanting out. Maybe all the Christmas wrapping paper and boxes will do the trick!

Get a cat flap? Mine come and go as they want. ATM I know all three are in as I just fed them. Any other cat could come in and spend the night and I couldn't stop them.

Mine are in overnight. I lock the catflap and block it too, they are completely used to the routine now. Boy cat usually races out as soon as I get up at 6am, giro cat isn't bothered. I do have a litter tray for overnight.

He's come racing in for his breakfast and gone racing out again. Probably won't see him til teatime

I wouldn't mind him treating the place like a hotel. At least that would mean he's sleeping here!