Cat not come home

[Nick18]

I've been googling this all day – and every time I am sent to Mumsnet.
I have a 10-year-old rescue cat who's been with my for 10 months and seems really settled. He asks to go out when he feels like it and asks to come in by tapping on the patio door.

But last night he was howling to go out from 11pm onwards. I gave in and let him out at midnight. But, more than 19 hours later he's still not back.

We're in an urban area so wouldn't expect him to wander further than neighbouring gardens as he appears to have been doing. He could have wandered further. He could have been injured. Or is it too soon for me to be worrying. Only had three hours sleep last night. Really need an early night tonight but am concerned in case he comes back when I'm not awake to let him in.

What area do you live in?

Liverpool.

Ok, standard procedure is notify microchip company he’s missing, leaflet your neighbours, local Facebook spotted pages & empty the contents of your vacuum cleaner onto the garden. If he has a tray you can leave it outside so he can smell home.

If he’s taken to a vets they’ll scan the chip and ring you.

If you take a torch out and call him at night it’s easier to hear him, plus their eyes reflect in the torchlight.

Thank you. Yes, tried all that so far. My hunch it that (as long as he's not met with an accident) he's actually not very far away. There are around 10 gardens linked by fences etc. But, may I ask, why the contents of the vacuum cleaner? Because it smells like home?

19 hours isn't much for a male cat. Is he neutered?

Correct.

It really is a waiting game now. Do keep calling though.

Yes, he's neutered. He usually gets quite excited when it's time for bed – he snuggles up with me and drools with happiness. I really shouldn't have let him out so late last night – it was warm and all the cats were behaving differently.

It’s always hard to get them in on warm nights.

Fingers crossed he is back soon, it is hard to stay calm though

Thank you so much for all the help and advice: It makes me feel better to know that others have had cats return after a while. Just hoping he comes back before I go in to work on Monday. I've made up a bed by the back door so I can hear him if he returns during the night. (One of the other cats has already pinched it.) Thanks again.

Oh what s naughty boy! So sorry OP it's the worst feeling not knowing. My last cat did this to me and then just wondered in about a week later like nothing had happened

Alas not, Kiss. I'm a teacher so there is no excuse for absence – worst was having to go in the day after my brother died.
That is good news, Obi – just hope he returns when I'm around.

Hope he comes home soon.
I know how you feel.one of mine went missing, found her in a neighbours garage after 3 days.
She was fine. I was in pieces.
Try & get some sleep

Am holding on to all the positive comments above about cats returning after two or three days. He's been missing two nights now but it's warm and perhaps he's just having a mid-life crisis! Thanks everyone.

I know a cat that returned after a whole month. Thinner & scruffier, but otherwise fine, apart from the health problems he had before he went walkabout anyway.

I think it's unlikely that he's in a shed because of the time he went out. However, will widen my leaflet drop this afternoon.

My sisters cat fred likes to wonder of for 4/5 days then stroll in all blasé demanding food
She was a mess the first few timesbut 6 years in she doesnt worry till hes been gone a week

Alonso, the more of these promising stories I hear, the better I feel. Thank you.
Kiss, would happily share a photo, but now sure how to attach here.