hi, why has our 2 year old male cat come home nearly wild after 4 weeks?
Asked by Emma P | 2 Answers
he had disappeared as he often does for his adventures but we started to get worried after 2 weeks, as this is unusual for him. i heard him meowing at the door so i went to let him in and he wouldn't come in and was hissing and yelling. my partner brought him in and he was really hissy and angry, not letting us or our other cats near him. we managed to feed him, give him milk and get some frontline on him and we left him alone to settle, but he kept yowling to get out. we let him out after maybe half an hour and he hasn't been home again for 2 more days.
this behaviour is unlike him, although he can be slightly temperamental. has he gone wild? why could he be behaving like this? is he ok? what should we do if he comes back again?
thanks, emma
This must be very distressing for you. Cats mainly recognize their environment by scent and if he has been missing for some time he may have started to forget how things smelt and thus is finding it hard to recognize you. I would allow him back in his own time by leaving out his blankets/bedding (if he has any) in a dry hidey hole (cat box) some food and an old worn teeshirt that you have worn for a few too many days and gradually he might start to famiarise himself with you all again. It would be as if you had bought a totally new cat into the fold. How did he look physically? It might be that he is time sharing or he may be living “wild”.
Once he gains your trust it would be a good idea to take him to you vet to make sure he is well and have him wormed and de-fleaed and then once back home make sure he has his own space to live in (own room/food/tray/water toys bed) and treat him as if he you were introducing a brand new cat.
Of course he may have different ideas and decide that he prefers it elsewhere you never know with cats and it's very common that they often have two homes where neither owner has any idea.
thanks for that rosie. it is very distressing and we miss him loads.
we have gotten a new kitten since he has been ''away''. could he have smelled him even without coming home? we have 2 other cats who o'malley has learned to tolerate and even have a sneaky cudle with, could he have smlled the new kitten on them and gotten cross?
he looked quite well when he came in. we managed to get frontline on him but he was ready to murder afterwards!
if he returns again,would you advise we keep him in, even if he is really wanting out?
Expert answer
Hi Emma
This must be very distressing for you. Cats mainly recognize their environment by scent and if he has been missing for some time he may have started to forget how things smelt and thus is finding it hard to recognize you. I would allow him back in his own time by leaving out his blankets/bedding (if he has any) in a dry hidey hole (cat box) some food and an old worn teeshirt that you have worn for a few too many days and gradually he might start to famiarise himself with you all again. It would be as if you had bought a totally new cat into the fold. How did he look physically? It might be that he is time sharing or he may be living “wild”.
Once he gains your trust it would be a good idea to take him to you vet to make sure he is well and have him wormed and de-fleaed and then once back home make sure he has his own space to live in (own room/food/tray/water toys bed) and treat him as if he you were introducing a brand new cat.
Of course he may have different ideas and decide that he prefers it elsewhere you never know with cats and it's very common that they often have two homes where neither owner has any idea.
Hope all goes well
Rosie Barclay
thanks for that rosie. it is very distressing and we miss him loads.
we have gotten a new kitten since he has been ''away''. could he have smelled him even without coming home? we have 2 other cats who o'malley has learned to tolerate and even have a sneaky cudle with, could he have smlled the new kitten on them and gotten cross?
he looked quite well when he came in. we managed to get frontline on him but he was ready to murder afterwards!
if he returns again,would you advise we keep him in, even if he is really wanting out?
thanks, emma