Help i let my cat out for first time & hes disappeared!!

[Justme1981]

As above, hes just over a year, ive had him since christmas. I let him out for first time today & he has literally disappeared. I've tried calling, rattling food etc but hes gone. What do i do? I haven't got a catflap & need to go out for a few hours, my little boy will be really upset as am I. Advice please good people of mumsnet. Yes, he is my first cat.

Oh I feel your pain, we've let ours out for the first time yesterday and seeing them jump over the fence for the first time is nerve wrecking, you've just got to trust the little buggers know which side their bread is buttered. One thing you can do is pop his litter tray outside, apparently it helps them smell their way back.

I've just shut the doors after they've been out since 10am and one is desperate to get back outside already, clearly I disturbed some very important bird hunting.

His is neutered isn't he?

Now he'll do your head in wanting in and out. He'll swear at you if the weather's bad and do your head in some more.

Enjoy.

Yabu to not post pics of toe beans!!

Wow he is a lovely boy!

Oh he’s adorable! I have black and white cats as well so lm a bit biased...

Thank you everyone.
Yes he is neutered,
I guess i just have to trust him!

Gorgeous boy!

I can see my cat in my neighbours garden, I’m calling him and calling him, he doesn’t bat an eyelid. If I didn’t have a house with good visibility from upstairs I’d be worried, but I can see him and he doesn’t care that I’m calling him home.

We've moved house with our cat a few times. The first few times we let him out we make sure he's starving.

My granny used to rub butter on the cats' paws before they went out for the first time. They lick it off, and the theory is they'll always come back to the place they got the butter because they like it so much. Worked for her.

The first time I let one of my cats out he was gone for 12 hours!

They always find their way home though, especially when they’re hungry, so I’m sure yours will be back soon.

Thanks everyone, hes been out a couple of times now, im getting used to it - slowly!! Love the story about buttering paws!

Don't worry, he will soon get bored of going out, I'm currently unable to move as I'm being pinned down by my 3, think I'm just a big heat pad for the cheeky sausages x

He's found his way back home, you've nothing to worry about. He's beautiful 😍