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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat is missing

39 replies

Createausernsme · 28/05/2023 21:00

On Thursday afternoon my neighbours started doing some renovation work on their house. This really upset my cat, who started growling and hid under the sofa. The noise next door stopped at 6pm. At 10pm when I went to bed he was still agitated.

Friday morning he wasn’t in. He’s almost always in the same spot every morning but he wasn’t there. Work continued all day and he never showed up. Same story on Saturday. It’s now Sunday and he’s still not home. There has been no work today (we live somewhere where doing DIY is a big no-no on Sundays and public holidays). So tomorrow will also be quiet.

I’m quite sure that he is hiding somewhere feeling scared. I’ve been out calling him and shaking the biscuit tin.

I’m worried that if he doesn’t come home tomorrow, the noise will start again on Tuesday and he’ll just never come home.

How long can a cat survive without water? It’s been quite warm here the past days.

I‘ve had a cat go missing for a few days before and in the end I found out she had been run over. This is bringing back a lot of painful memories 😔

OP posts:
ItsNotRocketSalad · 28/05/2023 21:07

How long will the work continue?

I know just how you feel. One of mine disappeared a few weeks ago and I was sick with worry, not sleeping. I poked around the internet for tips and found 75% of them return within a week. Four days later she sauntered in like nothing had happened, not even hungry. She's been back to her normal routine ever since.

Earlier on Reddit I saw a post in a cat group from someone whose indoor cat escaped a week ago and turned up today safe and sound.

Likelihood is he's hiding somewhere nearby. Leave smelly food out (tuna, sardines) at night when it's quiet. Keep us updated.

reallyworriedjobhunter · 28/05/2023 21:09

Go out later when it's all quite and call them. Take favourite treats to shake. It's awful when they do this.

Hellocatshome · 28/05/2023 21:12

If she has a litter tray, take it outside this is supposed to guide them back if they are disorientated. If you have any small cat rescues nearby ask if you can borrow a trap and put some water and tuna in there.

Original poster
Createausernsme · 28/05/2023 21:40

ItsNotRocketSalad · 28/05/2023 21:07

How long will the work continue?

I know just how you feel. One of mine disappeared a few weeks ago and I was sick with worry, not sleeping. I poked around the internet for tips and found 75% of them return within a week. Four days later she sauntered in like nothing had happened, not even hungry. She's been back to her normal routine ever since.

Earlier on Reddit I saw a post in a cat group from someone whose indoor cat escaped a week ago and turned up today safe and sound.

Likelihood is he's hiding somewhere nearby. Leave smelly food out (tuna, sardines) at night when it's quiet. Keep us updated.

That is reassuring, thank you.

The work will last another 2 weeks.

Leaving tuna out is a great idea! However I have 2 other cats who weren’t at all bothered by the noise but would happily eat up the tuna!

OP posts:
Original poster
Createausernsme · 28/05/2023 21:42

reallyworriedjobhunter · 28/05/2023 21:09

Go out later when it's all quite and call them. Take favourite treats to shake. It's awful when they do this.

Thanks. I‘ve just been out as it got dark and shook the biccie tin. I only found my neighbour’s cat who was acting like kids do when the ice cream van comes round 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
Createausernsme · 28/05/2023 21:44

Hellocatshome · 28/05/2023 21:12

If she has a litter tray, take it outside this is supposed to guide them back if they are disorientated. If you have any small cat rescues nearby ask if you can borrow a trap and put some water and tuna in there.

We have a litter tray but only the other two cats use it, missing cat uses it very very rarely. Still might do the trick if he can smell the other cats? They get on really well.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/05/2023 21:46

Silly suggestion have you told the other cats to fetch the lost cat? I used to do it to my old outdoor cats and they would go get them in for tea

Original poster
Createausernsme · 28/05/2023 21:52

Theunamedcat · 28/05/2023 21:46

Silly suggestion have you told the other cats to fetch the lost cat? I used to do it to my old outdoor cats and they would go get them in for tea

I actually did 😆 They just looked at me like I was a piece of dirt, as always

OP posts:
ItsNotRocketSalad · 28/05/2023 22:00

I tried that too! I also got the "no" look.

Original poster
Createausernsme · 30/05/2023 07:26

It’s day 5 now and he still isn’t home. I barely slept last night, wondering where he is and what might have happened to him. The neighbours haven’t seen him but said they very rarely see him out and about anyway.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 30/05/2023 16:15

Have you put pictures up on the lost and found groups? Contacted the local vets?

How worrying

Original poster
Createausernsme · 30/05/2023 18:07

I’ve made a poster for the local supermarket which I can’t print until I’m in work tomorrow. There are no local online groups unfortunately. The vets is 45 minutes away but I will give them a call tomorrow just in case.

We live in a small hamlet, only 5 houses and none of the neighbours have seen him. There are many fields and barns and woods around for him to hide in. Covered miles today but no sign of him.

The nearest village is over a mile away and I really don’t think he’s gone that far. But you never know.

I’m worried that he has been run over. It’s a no through road but our previous cat got hit. I checked all along the edge of the road and saw nothing, but not sure if a body would be there long (foxes).

Losing our previous cat almost broke me (sounds dramatic but cat lovers I hope you understand). I just can’t go through this again. I’ve been crying all day and don’t know how I will face work tomorrow.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 30/05/2023 19:49

Createausernsme · 30/05/2023 18:07

I’ve made a poster for the local supermarket which I can’t print until I’m in work tomorrow. There are no local online groups unfortunately. The vets is 45 minutes away but I will give them a call tomorrow just in case.

We live in a small hamlet, only 5 houses and none of the neighbours have seen him. There are many fields and barns and woods around for him to hide in. Covered miles today but no sign of him.

The nearest village is over a mile away and I really don’t think he’s gone that far. But you never know.

I’m worried that he has been run over. It’s a no through road but our previous cat got hit. I checked all along the edge of the road and saw nothing, but not sure if a body would be there long (foxes).

Losing our previous cat almost broke me (sounds dramatic but cat lovers I hope you understand). I just can’t go through this again. I’ve been crying all day and don’t know how I will face work tomorrow.

I understand it was YEARS before I considered getting another cat again I swore I was never getting as attached to them as much as I was my old cat I was mistaken I am really attached to them 😔 they are indoor cats because I want them safe and I live on a main road

Swissmrs · 30/05/2023 21:08

Oh I really feel for you - I'm so sorry. I've been there - cats going missing, and, sadly, one run over, and it truly is horrible and so painful, and when my cats went missing temporarily - I can honestly say I was so wound up with anxiety that I couldn't sleep either and couldn't settle to anything.

Fortunately, when they went missing - on separate occasions and years apart - they were both found really close to home, and cats can tuck themselves into the oddest places.

Hang on in there, I really hope he turns up soon and I hope work goes ok.

birdsongismyfave · 31/05/2023 08:31

Go to all your immediate neighbours and ask them to open their sheds and outbuildings with you there, and allow you to look inside. Your cat may have been trapped. If you put a flyer some people won't look.
One of my cats went missing nearly four years ago and I never got her back. When my other cat went missing last year I was WAY more aggressive in my search and I found her. Post on every local community group. Contact your insurer and see if they offer a reward. Offer one anyway.
Is your cat chipped? Contact the chip company and notify them that he's lost. Call all local vets. Call highways and ask if they've picked up a cat (I found that ours don't scan, they bin, when my cat was lost 😭) so do it quickly.
Do a fingertips search of your home and garden and your immediate neighbours gardens - if he's hurt he might hide even if you're calling.
You may have local missing cats groups - post there. They have volunteers with scanners who will pick up accidents and strays.
Sorry I know some if that's a bit horrible but it's things I learnt the first time round and was glad I knew on the second go.
Good luck x

Original poster
Createausernsme · 01/06/2023 20:14

Thankyou for the messages. It’s now a week almost to the minute that I last saw him.

I‘ve called the vets and council. Spoken to my neighbours and looked with them in their garage so he could hear my voice if he is in there. Every evening I have gone out calling him. I‘ve put posters up, rang doorbells, posted online.

My cat is not chipped. We had a cat who was chipped, she got run over and the council took her away. We only knew because we called to ask, they never scanned her. There is only one vets in a 45 minute radius and they have made a note about our cat being missing. I‘ll call them again if I have to.

No one has seen him at all. He has just disappeared.

I feel completely distraught. I keep reading stories about cats who have come home after days or weeks. Trying to keep my hopes up but missing him terribly.

OP posts:
Igmum · 01/06/2023 20:28

Put out the contents of the hoover bag. This worked with one of mine when she had wandered too far. Left it on the lawn (in a box) and she came back.

If he is scared he may be very close and hiding so look under every bush.

Call him early morning and evening (with treats) but always while you are walking towards your home.

Good luck OP

MouseKeys · 01/06/2023 20:36

Oh I’m so sorry OP this is a horrible thing to happen, I really feel for you. I’ve read online that the best time to go out and look for them is around 2-3 am when it’s really quiet and they will be able to hear your voice. Fingers and toes crossed he’s just hiding somewhere because he’s cross about the works, can you set up a video camera in your garden to see if he’s coming back during the night at all? I hope you find him soon x

MouseKeys · 01/06/2023 20:37

Oh and I also read that cats respond better to your normal voice than shouting so maybe you could make a phone call while you’re out in the garden and see if that works at all!

Toddlerteaplease · 01/06/2023 21:10

If and when he returns, get him chipped immediately. Fingers crossed he turns up soon.

C1N1C · 01/06/2023 21:16

Can you leave him with a friend for those weeks if he comes back?

ItsNotRocketSalad · 01/06/2023 21:43

I know words feel hollow but honestly, don't despair. He's very very likely close to home but just feeling too insecure to come back because of the strange noises.

Have you put the posters up? When I went round with mine, everybody I saw was interested and most of them had their own story about a cat who disappeared and turned up before long. It felt like the entire town was looking for my girl.

What I read supports the anecdotes - the majority come home soon - and also what birdsongismyfave said. The more proactive you are the more likely he is to be found.

Hang in there x

Original poster
Createausernsme · 02/06/2023 11:22

ItsNotRocketSalad · 01/06/2023 21:43

I know words feel hollow but honestly, don't despair. He's very very likely close to home but just feeling too insecure to come back because of the strange noises.

Have you put the posters up? When I went round with mine, everybody I saw was interested and most of them had their own story about a cat who disappeared and turned up before long. It felt like the entire town was looking for my girl.

What I read supports the anecdotes - the majority come home soon - and also what birdsongismyfave said. The more proactive you are the more likely he is to be found.

Hang in there x

We live in a small place and it does feel like everyone is helping to look for him. I‘ve put up lots of posters and everyone is asking me about him. It’s really lovely

OP posts:
Original poster
Createausernsme · 02/06/2023 11:23

Thank you so much for all the tips and support. Will empty the hoover out too. Neighbours already know me as the crazy cat lady so I’m just adding to that!

OP posts:
Original poster
Createausernsme · 03/06/2023 21:07

Just to update: I‘ve been sitting here watching a movie and guess who has just walked in???

I am so relieved! I was starting to think I would never see him again!

I had to update because these threads gave me hope over the past 9 days

OP posts: