My cat ran away, will she come back?

by Chelsey
(Florida)

Daisy Christmas 2008

My year and half old, female, spayed cat got outside. She's never been outside nor has she ever really had much of a desire to go. I'm assuming that she went into the sun room when my husband let the dog out in the morning before work and didn't realize that she got out and shut the door behind him. It has been a complete 24 hours and she still has not returned. I have walked the block, the wooded area, called everywhere I could think of, put up signs on poles around our neighborhood, and jingled her bell ball outside and called her name (day and night). I thought maybe she would return home tonight because the commotion would be quieted, but it's 3 AM and she hasn't returned. I am sick. I had an outdoor cat before and he didn't return one day either. So that's why I refused to EVER let Daisy outside. She doesn't have a collar on because my dog rips it off of her when they play. And she's not microchipped, well, because she NEVER goes outside. But if she does come back, she'll be microchipped 20 minutes later. She is my BABY. What else can I do? And how long do spayed, female cats tend to run away for? I read all over this post about neutered males but nothing about spayed females. She has all of her shots and she is treated with frontline so I'm not concerned too much about her getting a disease or getting fleas. I just want her home. And if she does come home, what should I look for to see if she needs to go to the vet to see if she got into anything she shouldn't of or got harmed out there? I really hope she comes home. I'm worried sick. Thanks!

Answer by Kate
well hopefully by the time you read this she wuld have come back.

Female cats, spayed or not ill still be curious about the big world outside, after all it will be full of sights and smells she is unfamilar with and she will want to explore.

Usally cats who are happy at home will return, well why wouldn't they, they know they get fed there etc. the trouble is there is no telling how long they will be away for. My sister cat went missing for 9 days and then just turned up gain.

All you can do to keep calling her, leave something outside that is her either her bed or something that smells of her or you. Also leave some food out for her. Continue to put posters up and contact any organisations in your area that may pick up stray cats.

I know it is very worring but hopefully she is just out there having some cat fun exploring and will be home when she has had enough.

When she returns, check her over to make sure she hasn't hurt herself and make sure that she eats and drinks and uses the litter tray as normal. If all is Ok then great, any signs of ill health should be checked by the vet.

I hope she returns soon
http://www.our-happy-cat.com/lost-cats.html
best wishes Kate