Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years

459 replies

KiffyKiffyKiffy · 03/02/2025 14:57

Well not missing exactly but we lived at our old address and as our cat got older and we had kids and 2 dogs our cat spent more and more time with our elderly neighbour. We would try and coax him home but he always went back.

The neighbour loved him and spoilt him rotton.

2 years ago we moved house and we tried to catch him a few times to bring him with us but he evaded us. So we went to the neighbours house to ask him to catch him for us. The elderly neighbour said he would like him to stay (his wife and dog had passed away) as he was good company

So over time we check in on him, make sure he doesn't need vet care etc.
Neighbour has our number.

We just stopped by to check in and he asked if we could take him.

Of course!

But I'm worried as he's not seen our dogs in years. He's never been to this home and we have somehow adopted a stray cat here who treats it like his home and is basically out unplanned cat too now.

We are picking him up in an hour and I'm just a bit stressed at how to navigate this!!

We never planned to be apart from him but he chose the neighbour over us and at that time the neighbour really needed him.

Any advice please!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 13/02/2025 18:46

Ohnobackagain · 13/02/2025 16:04

@KiffyKiffyKiffy he will probably feel more secure in a smaller space …

He's got his covered crate if he needs a time out. He goes in there alot of the time

OP posts:
Daftapath · 14/02/2025 00:34

No idea if it would work but you could try putting strips of tin foil under your bed. Have just watched lots of cats react to landing on it! Worth a try? Confused

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 02:20

I got a 2nd litter tray on the 2nd floor and he's been going upstairs and using that.

Haven't found any more poops in unsanctioned places.

OP posts:
Binglebong · 14/02/2025 08:08

It's easy to forget because he has settled so well but it has only been ten days.he has had some huge changes during that time, including to his body. Give him time, he'll get there.

WillIEverBeOk · 14/02/2025 09:27

Why can't you get a cat flap for him so he can enjoy his last few years not stuck inside? Its cruel imo to make a cat that has been used to be allowed outside (even if for only a few hours) never allowed to set foot on outside grass again.

TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 14/02/2025 09:33

I disagree @WillIEverBeOk , cats adjust. Not cruel at all. My own cat hasn't been outside for about four months because the number of dogs in the park where I live has increased massively. He had a near miss with a sighthound and narrowly avoided being eaten/ragged to death a few months ago, he stays in these days and is absolutely fine.

At the OP's cat's advanced age that sort of lifestyle change, going from full of fleas and scrawny to living the indoor life of a much loved king and having to poo in a litter tray really is a non-issue.

WillIEverBeOk · 14/02/2025 09:48

TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 14/02/2025 09:33

I disagree @WillIEverBeOk , cats adjust. Not cruel at all. My own cat hasn't been outside for about four months because the number of dogs in the park where I live has increased massively. He had a near miss with a sighthound and narrowly avoided being eaten/ragged to death a few months ago, he stays in these days and is absolutely fine.

At the OP's cat's advanced age that sort of lifestyle change, going from full of fleas and scrawny to living the indoor life of a much loved king and having to poo in a litter tray really is a non-issue.

Do they really adjust at all, truly? Or are they depressed/unhappy with it and you haven't noticed or can't tell. I am not talking about leaving them outside all day/hours of the night. But its not healthy for a cat to be locked inside 24/7. A few hours, even a couple of hours supervised outside is good for their emotional and psychological health and happiness.

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 09:52

WillIEverBeOk · 14/02/2025 09:27

Why can't you get a cat flap for him so he can enjoy his last few years not stuck inside? Its cruel imo to make a cat that has been used to be allowed outside (even if for only a few hours) never allowed to set foot on outside grass again.

He's 100% deaf and I think he may be going blind too.

He's 19 years old!

And for the last 12 months He's stayed inside apart to shit. We were told he goes out, shits and comes right back in.

He's in a completely new area with alot of cats about that are territorial (my gingers cats come home several times with cuts from being attacked)

He's not even tried to go downstairs.

He seems extremely happy with his 2 floors and heated house.
He's got a cat tree set up now too and a scratching post.

If he was unhappy he would be trying to get downstairs to leave.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 14/02/2025 10:01

Sounds like he is settling and the pooing in a tray is excellent .

Whosmakingdinner · 14/02/2025 13:52

I’m following your progress with great hope and interest … you’ve done incredibly well dealing with all those issues and it sounds like he’s getting along really well in what’s been a very short time. You’ve transformed his life already and it will get even better. He’s a very lucky cat to have found you again 😁

Pudmyboy · 14/02/2025 15:54

@KiffyKiffyKiffy it sounds like you and your old boy are getting used to each others' ways after so long apart, with a few hiccups on the way, hopefully all sorted now. I hope you have much joy together for his remaining time, be it months or years 💐

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 16:01

Whosmakingdinner · 14/02/2025 13:52

I’m following your progress with great hope and interest … you’ve done incredibly well dealing with all those issues and it sounds like he’s getting along really well in what’s been a very short time. You’ve transformed his life already and it will get even better. He’s a very lucky cat to have found you again 😁

That's so sweet, thankyou

OP posts:
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 16:02

Pudmyboy · 14/02/2025 15:54

@KiffyKiffyKiffy it sounds like you and your old boy are getting used to each others' ways after so long apart, with a few hiccups on the way, hopefully all sorted now. I hope you have much joy together for his remaining time, be it months or years 💐

I feel a lot more positive today.

He's been out and about, pottering around exploring. He likes the bathroom.

He used to use the toilet when he was younger 🤣🤣 I don't think he could balance now.

OP posts:
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 19:12

Just found this on his back.

Anyone seen anything like it?

Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years
OP posts:
TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 14/02/2025 19:54

Could it be a skin tag OP? Looks like it to me. One of my old cats who died 20 years ago at 18 had about three skin tags, but it has been a while.

I agree that he is a lucky old boy 😍.

dibdabdog · 14/02/2025 19:58

KiffyKiffyKiffy · 03/02/2025 17:03

He's booked in at vets tomorrow at 3pm

He's just started coughing quite badly :(

Hopefully it's something easily treated.

S/He's a tortie!!!!
Best cats ever x 😹

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 21:25

dibdabdog · 14/02/2025 19:58

S/He's a tortie!!!!
Best cats ever x 😹

Show quote history

He's a boy :)

OP posts:
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 21:26

TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 14/02/2025 19:54

Could it be a skin tag OP? Looks like it to me. One of my old cats who died 20 years ago at 18 had about three skin tags, but it has been a while.

I agree that he is a lucky old boy 😍.

I didn't even think cats had them!

I'll get the vet to check on Tuesday, hopefully it's something harmless.

Have to expect a few bits and bobbles at his age.

OP posts:
dibdabdog · 14/02/2025 22:21

KiffyKiffyKiffy · 14/02/2025 21:25

He's a boy :)

Show quote history

😂😺🙀He's as tiny as my little 11 year old rescue tortie girl , he's gorgeous!
Please tell His Royal Tortiness that I beg forgiveness for assuming he could be anything other than the most handsome and distinguished gentleman fluffykins!!!! 😱

Binglebong · 14/02/2025 22:58

My dog has loads of skin tags so quite possible that cats do too. Or maybe a wart?

Daftapath · 14/02/2025 23:13

My older dog has developed a few skin tags in recent years. The vet is completely unconcerned and says that they are inevitable at his age.

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 15/02/2025 17:39

Another poop in corner of bedroom and he was having a sleep in his crate so I shut the door whilst I was cleaning (put deodoriser on carpet)

He woke up didn't meow to get out or make any indication of anything and just did a piss in his bed!!

😅🤣

OP posts:
Doyouthinktheyknow · 15/02/2025 22:00

He sounds and looks like a glorious if incontinent oldie😻

So lovely that you got him back, fleas, random shits and all😜🤣

Bless him, he’s very old in human years isn’t he😻

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 15/02/2025 22:36

He's super old, bless him.

A few times his back legs have just given out whilst he's walking.

I don't think he will be here for a long time but he will be here for as long as he is happy and healthy, with lots of love.

OP posts:
Dunkou · 16/02/2025 07:02

I love the way you are being so patient and loving with him.

I suspect he might have been toileting in random places indoors for a while, which is why the old man wanted to give him up.

Swipe left for the next trending thread