What best to say to the kids about lost cat?

[Ridingladybugs]

So our cat went missing yesterday. It’s very unlike him as he never strays. Have done all the things meant to today, but I don’t feel very hopeful tbh.

kids are devastated. I’m not sure what to say to them? I don’t think it’s good for them to keep going he will come back?

Interested in what others have done? Thinking it’s maybe best to say he’s probably gone for good, then if he did end up coming back it’s a positive? Rather than them waking up each day going he is back?

He’s a super cuddly and loving cat, more like a dog really so they are extremely upset by it. So am I tbh ( and at what point do you just give up?)

Being gone for one day is common. Your cat could well be put for a few days and then return . It is common for cats to do this.

Thanks - I know people say this but he really isn’t a wanderer. He has never not returned at 7pm at the latest in 4 years. He never goes far at all.

i mean I kind of hope he has suddenly got wanderlust as that would be a better outcome.