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.

We've been leaving our back door open until we go to bed as our own cat likes to sit in the doorway.

Recently we went to bed late as usual, locked up and thought no more of it. That was until the following afternoon when I was tidying up in DD's room and saw a pair of eyes blinking at me. Frightened the life out of me.

The neighbour's cat had managed to sneak past us and made herself a nice cosy bed in DD's dressing up box. She must have been helping herself to our cat's food and water.

If your neighbours have been leaving windows open in the warmer weather, it's possible that your boy has managed to get in somewhere.

I hope he turns up soon.

Growing up we had a neutered ginger tom who used to regularly wander off for days at a time then wander back in and want food :)

If all cats were behaving oddly there may be a queen in heat around who he has gone to find!

Well, nearly 48 hours. He's been away two nights. And, no – no news!

Oh I'm so sorry OP, I really hope he's just being a silly boy and is off partying with the best of them!!

And he's home. After three nights away, Feargal Mathias arrived at the back door this morning.
Thank you, everyone, for all your help and advice.

That's wonderful news!

Did he slink in all unapologetic and unashamed?

Excellent news, phew!

What an impressive name! Glad he's home. Don't you just wonder where they go?!

Thank goodness! Naughty thing.

That's great news.

The dirty stop-out!

So pleased for you and him op

But as you know, no pics = it didn't happen, ''tis the rules ya know 😉

So glad he’s back our cat disappeared for 5 days recently and was horrible. Pretty sure she got shut in somewhere

Hope that puss is grounded until he learns his lesson!

Well done Fergal. He's treating you mean to keep you keen.

Be on your toes!