Kitten has run off on leash please reassure me

[Khanny]

My 5 month old kitten has run off on his leash while my husband was outside with him. Near to home but he's not been out of the garden before and we can't find him anywhere :( We've only had him since January and are totally in love with him. Have we lost him :(

What a horrible thing to say.

I hope you find him OP, how upsetting for you both.

@Bustabloodvessel Apart from that being a revolting thing to say to someone who's praying her beloved cat is OK, not all cats have to be left to wander. And in many countries cats are walked on leads and enjoy it.

Both my cats are kept in the home, and I don't even walk either on a lead. Of course this may be something to do with the fact that Tobias has FIV so would be likely to a) pass that on to another cat and b) catch something minor & die from it, but I only get rescues who are happy indoors.

But both cats are fit, healthy, content and ALIVE - unlike a neighbour's cat who died horribly after being run over, or a mate's cat who had fire crackers tied to his tail by teenage boys, or ones you hear of who've drunk from water contaminated by anti-freeze...

My DBro offered his Burmese an open door to the garden, & they ran away & hid behind the sofa. They even tried taking them outside a few times, but the cats were having none of it.

Don't be such a know-all judgy-pants.

Cats are really good at scenting their gardens, he will have been rubbing on bits of tree, fence, patio furniture etc. I hope he comes home soon

Why be so nasty?

He’s home!
He was literally about 5 doors down hidden behind a wheelie bin harness in tact. Thanks to everybody for your kind words x

Oh wonderful news. I’m so pleased for you. Such a relief.

So glad he’s back 😊

Oh thank goodness!! I felt sick for you! Little rascal!!! So glad he’s home, I bet you can’t stop cuddling him now! X

so glad he is home. I was a bit 😬as the adverts I was getting on mumsnet when you were discussing neutering were of kitchen shears

I'm really pleased he is back home 😄

I’m so happy! He’s bloody mischief and playing as if nothing has happened all day! So glad he’s home x

So pleased he’s home @Khanny , I would suggest you keep him in now until he’s neutered and then consider a catio or cat proofing your garden .

I Absolutely agree x

Absolutely fantastic I’m so happy for you both!

I would be wary of the harness going forward. After a while I stopped putting collars on mine as I was worried about them getting trapped somewhere

Bet he doesn’t care, isn’t bothered about the stress he's caused

Thank you. I just wanted some supportive words, not to be told I’m irresponsible or be laughed at because we used a harness. I appreciate your support a lot..x

So glad he's home

I did try a harness on my first cat in my new house many years ago. He dropped and rolled like a protester all four feet in the air and refused to move. Well done you getting him using it!

things will settle down when he's done. Just remember an empty belly and Dreamies will help him keep close

So pleased for you! ❤️

We have a harness for our otherwise indoor cat who goes for walks in the summer. But she’s 4 and timid outdoors. If you have a lively kitten maybe try a catio or run until he’s a bit older?

Aw just read it all so glad!!!!!

So glad for you! I have had several cats go missing for a while - one got out on firework night and I finally found her on the footpath behind my house hiding - but only when the bangs had stopped. The other had been locked in someones shed over a weekend - she was dirty, hungry and thirsty but happy to be home. Neither had gone very far. I find going out when it is dark and quiet is good - they have all answered me when I called them if they could hear me (and I them).

I’m so pleased to read your update. I bet he’ll be spoiled rotten tonight!
Dont give headspace to the unhelpful comments and enjoy having your boy back.

You need to pay the cat tax now to celebrate his safe return! 😻