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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 has been missing for 5 days 😞

26 replies

Curtainswithpompoms · 07/08/2023 05:06

She did this last year twice but only for 2-3 days max.

She can’t get pregnant so won’t be looking for a mate.

I’m blaming myself because we went on holiday for 1 week and left our neighbour to feed her.

we’ve done this before and all was fine but this time she’s not been back for days.
Do you think she could be okay?

she knows our neighbour and likes her.
Thank you.

OP posts:
ArcticBells · 07/08/2023 05:42

I expect she hasn't realised you're back yet . Keep positive as I'm sure she'll return soon. Let us know.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 07/08/2023 05:48

Many years ago I had a cat go missing for 8 months, then stroll up one day as if nothing had happened.
More recently, but still a while, I had one go missing for 6 days, she was in a bad way when she got home, she'd got her leg stuck in her, "easy release", collar.
She's fine now, but none of my cats wear collars now, I don't trust them.

Original poster
Curtainswithpompoms · 07/08/2023 06:44

Thank you 🥲
Yes, we are trying not to panic too much because last time she strolled back, it was as though nothing had happened so we don’t want to whittle all week for no reason but it’s so hard. I feel like the longer she’s away, the more chance of no return.

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 07/08/2023 08:37

DSis's cat vanished for a whole month. As far as we can work out, he had a seizure (he had epilepsy) while out & got very confused then lost. He was found the other side of the river marshes, and was recognised because the rescue she's got him from had put him up on their pages. Someone who read their facebook also read a local one & recognised him as the cat her neighbour found that day.

So don't worry too much, if an epileptic cat (with a few other issues) can be found a month later then a week isn't that bad.

Also, make sure he's up on the local Facebook pages & other social media, and try putting flyers through doors and door knocking to ask neighbours to check garden sheds, garages etc in case he got shut in. Also call round local vets and rescues just in case he's been handed in.

TheShellBeach · 07/08/2023 15:20

Our daughter's cat went missing after she'd had a few days' holiday and she was heartbroken.
DD trawled the neighbourhood looking for Cleo, put posters up, put her on FB pages and was terribly upset.

Three months later, Cleo strolled in through the cat flap, looking very thin. The vet thought she'd been living on whatever she could hunt. But she soon gained weight again and is happy to be home.
I hope your cat comes back soon. Don't lose hope!

Original poster
Curtainswithpompoms · 08/08/2023 22:59

Thank you all for your kind reassurance.
She’s still not bank today.
why do cats do this?
I read that some walk 50 miles away.

OP posts:
DreamingofBrie · 08/08/2023 23:04

I hope your cat is home soon, OP. Fingers crossed for you. Leave her blankets and bedding outside?

TheShellBeach · 10/08/2023 20:55

Don't give up hope, OP.

Original poster
Curtainswithpompoms · 10/08/2023 21:00

Thank you ☺️

OP posts:
isitaline97 · 10/08/2023 21:01

I'm so sorry OP I hope she's back home now. Did you see her since being back from your holiday?

Maybe send out flyers to all neighbours asking to check garages/sheds if you haven't already.

Use a torch at night and look in trees/bushes for eyes.

Was she chipped? She'll hopefully be scanned if found.

Really hope you get her home soon ❤️

StarDolphins · 10/08/2023 21:05

My cat went missing for 7 nights, totally out of character as she only usually goes out for 10 mins. I put leaflets through all the doors begging for them to check sheds, garages etc & one night at 9.30 I heard her crying at the door! I’m certain she must’ve been stuck somewhere.

Don’t give up hope, they go further in summer & a lot of people are in & out of out buildings more.

caringcarer · 10/08/2023 21:27

My son's Bengal cat went missing for 8 days. We got posters up and messages on Next Door and offered a reward for his return, but heard nothing. He had a collar on and was microchipped. Then he appeared on the 8th day with a different collar on. I think someone stole him, took his collar off and put a different one on and shut him in their house. He is a lovely cat and gorgeous looking. I think he escaped and came home as soon as he could. He looked well fed not like he'd been shut in a shed or somewhere. I hope your kitty comes home.

CheshireCat1 · 10/08/2023 21:39

Cats tend to stick to similar routes when out and about, if they get spooked on one of those routes they won’t use it to come home and end up lost. If you can, put a used litter tray outside, it’s surprising how far away a cat can recognise its own scent. When out looking for your cat only call them when you’re walking towards your house and not walking away. Call all the local vets and rescue centres and local lost and found groups. Check that your details are up to date with the chip company.
Never give up hope, our cat was missing for months and we got him back through a local lost and found group.

Original poster
Curtainswithpompoms · 10/08/2023 21:41

Thank you, it’s heartening to hear they do sometimes return.
she is a very round faced fluffy tailed, big eyed, long whiskered small cat. Fingers crossed she’ll be back very soon 😞

OP posts:
Ibizafun · 10/08/2023 21:53

It's agonising. The first thing I would do when she hopefully comes back is to put an air tag on her collar. Bit big I know but better than this.

TheShellBeach · 13/08/2023 15:43

@Curtainswithpompoms any news yet?

Original poster
Curtainswithpompoms · 13/08/2023 17:58

Yes! She returned at 4am this morning! Completely fine. Thank you all for your kind reassurance. She’s been eating loads but looked well. She’s also following us everywhere and making weird chirping noises like a bird!

OP posts:
isitaline97 · 13/08/2023 19:47

@Curtainswithpompoms that's such good news!! I wonder what she's been up to all this time! So glad she's home OP you must be feeling so much better too x

Beamur · 13/08/2023 19:49

Brilliant news!

Cloudsandrainnotsunandsand · 13/08/2023 19:49

Surely you can see that was your punishment for daring to go on holiday op?

Wishitsnows · 13/08/2023 19:50

Ahh that’s lovely news

CheshireCat1 · 13/08/2023 20:36

Absolutely fantastic news, I’m so made up for you.

TheShellBeach · 13/08/2023 20:52

I'm so happy to read this!

Original poster
Curtainswithpompoms · 13/08/2023 21:39

Thank you!
Yeas, we are going to think twice before going away again! How very dare we!
It’s strange that she’s been chirping loads since coming home. She’s much more amenable to our strokes too and is hanging out with us loads more. 💜

OP posts:
RumNotRun · 13/08/2023 22:16

I think sometimes they scare themselves when they get lost so are super loving when they get home. Then again, they're cats so the extra attention may be because they think you should be extra worshipping them for deigning to return.