On Monday my three cats were out in the garden. Due to some work being done to our house a fence panel was down, and unfortunately a neighbours dog (massive Alsatian) got into the garden and went for the cats. Princess shot back inside, Gentleman escaped the dog but was absolutely terrified, Young Lad ended up in the dogs mouth 😭 got him checked out at the vets and aside from some bruising he is ok, just needed painkillers for a couple of days.
Young Lad now refuses to go outside, which I understand. Hoping to coax him out as the weather improves, but just leaving him to it for now.
Our Gentleman though, who has always been incredibly skittish, seems a bit traumatised by the whole thing. We planned to keep him inside for a couple of days, but the day after the incident he escaped. Stayed out for 16 hours, which is very unusual for him. Came home, but wouldn’t go through the back garden and cat flap (attack happened in the back garden). He was loitering around the front door, wanting to be near us, but not wanting to come in. It was like he was scared the dog was in the house. Eventually tempted him in, and once inside he was fine. But the same thing has happened each day since. I let him out in the morning, he stays out all day (in the pissing rain and cold), then turns up on the doorstep acting scared of what’s inside. Takes absolutely ages to tempt him in. He’s clearly shattered when he gets in, curls up somewhere and sleeps till morning.
Not sure how to proceed. Prior to the dog incident he would go out for an hour or so in the morning, then come back and snooze the day away on DDs bed. I’m worried he’s never going to use the cat flap again, and I don’t want him to be scared of his own home. Do I keep him in for a few days? Picture of him in snoozy mode!