We have just started to let our adopted cat out. It’s been going well until yesterday!
First time he was out for half hour and came back when we called him. Second time a bit longer and he came back when called. Saturday he was out all morning and we were just about to head out when he appeared at the door. Yesterday we let him out in the morning. He hung around at first, saw him a few hours later in the neighbours bushes then he disappeared. We had to go out for a few hours so had left some food (which was untouched) outside the patio doors and his litter tray outside. He was nowhere to be seen when we got back and we finally spotted him at 10pm. Called him and he meowed but we then spent the next half hour following him to get him in. He was hanging out with another cat and sitting in the bushes not far from home.
My partner managed to catch him with dreamies and brought him home. He was ravenous and seemed perfectly happy to be back home and wanted cuddles and was then fast asleep in his usual place half hour later.
We live in a new build that has apartments build in a semi circle that are all identical and another block opposite in the same formation. It creates a strange echo so when you hear a noise from one apartment it can seem to be coming from somewhere else. He seemed to be a bit confused last night when we were calling him and I’m not sure if he was lost or just didn’t want to come back in.
Big question is whether to let him go again today or hang on again for a few days? He’s definitely a cat that I think will just want to be outside and I’m hoping he’ll just come back when he wants to. We’ve had him three weeks - I know the official advice is to keep them in for 4-6 but he was going stir crazy inside, and as soon as he started going out he was so much happier. We also live in an apartment with almost the whole of the front wall made of glass so it’s like a greenhouse if we have to keep the door and windows closed when the sun is out!
Just looking for reassurance I guess. Back at work tomorrow and not sure whether to keep him in when we are at work?