How do i stop cat from wandering off

by louise
(Surrey)

Hi, I have a problem i have a kittem she is a good 6 to 7 months now i have started to let her out which is fine but now she keeps wondering off and i am scared that i will lose her, she is a bit wild and does not have a care in the world! how do i train her to stay with in mine and my naighbours garden?

Answe by Kate site owner
Hi
I have always believed that a cat is always a wild animal who chooses to live with us in exchange for food and warmth. A cat is a very intelligent animal and knows when it is on to a good thing. Why would they decide to find a new home if they are getting all the food and comforts with you. You cannot train a cat to return they will decide that for themselves. So as long as you are giving them a comfortable home to live in they should always return. Make sure that you have had her spayed other wise she will get pregnant and is also another reason why she will wander as she is looking for a mate. Ourcat goes out all the time and stays within a certain sized territory asnd always returns when she is hungry.

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How do i stop cat from wandering off

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Cats that wander from home
by: Esther

Hello

I live in London. I have two cats - a brother and sister who are now 11 years old. The female, Grace, has recently started straying away from home every time I go away on a vacation. She has managed to get herself locked in somewhere for a number of days and returned hungry and frightened. Other times she stays away 24 hours. This is very worrying as I fear one day she may not return. I can only pray and keep my fingers crossed. Her brother, Harry, rarely leaves the garden and is always around when I return home.

Grace is a very shy, nervous cat and does not like strangers coming into her home. My lovely neighbour feeds them when I am away so this should not stress her too much. Anyway, I don't suppose I shall ever understand her thinking and can only hope she realised how lucky she is! I love her dearly and dread losing her.

Esther xx

incarcerated cats
by: Anonymous

I have an across the street neighbor who complained that my spayed female cat is killing her birds (in a cage on a non-screened backyard porch). They are probably finches, but I am not sure. She told me to keep my cat in doors and informed me in a threatening manner that "it is against the city/county law for a cat to run wild". This came to me in the form of a note that was left on my "cat crossing sign" near my driveway.

I have three cats (two neutered males and one spayed female) and it is true that the female wanders the most and is a huntress. I have asked my immediate neighbors if they are bothered and they assure me that they are not. I have not responded to the note. For one, I think it was cowardly not to speak to me directly. I do feel badly for her and her birds. I also think that it is her responsibility to keep them safe from any animal or rodent. We have opossums and raccoons routinely in our neighborhood and my cat can't possibly be the only one interested!

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to keep my female cat from straying? I hate to force the cats to stay indoors. The boys stay in the yard for the most part and don't wander or hunt as much. I may try keeping the girl inside and letting the boys out for awhile. She will probably be depressed.

I am looking into cat fencing for my backyard. So far I have only read testimonials on the Internet. My vet, the local cat shelter, and animal control do not have any personal experience with the fencing. Animal control says that it is true that all animals are supposed to be kept in the owner's yard if not on a leash. All three cats are indoor/outdoor and have are licensed/vaccinated.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks!

Answer by Kate
Unfortunately I live in the UK and we son't have such laws. I must admit to finding it rather amusing that such laws extend to cats, a animal that cannot be stopped from wandering and are no more destructive etc as wild animals such as foxes etc.

Apart from building a cat enclosure I am afraid I do not what else you can do. I agree with you that it is unfair to keep the cat in (my opinion only)

Perhaps others who have experienced a similar problem may be able to advise.

I do agree with you though, it is up to your neighbour to keep her caged birds safe, especially if their are other animals in the area that could equally kill them.

i wish you luck with this.

best wishes Kate

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