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

Comments for
My cat ran away, will she come back?

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Benny, The Prankster
by: Cricket

My cat Ben (a 20 lb Maine Coon) has been an indoor cat for 4 years now after being abandoned and living outside before I adopted him. Many sites say how "friendly indoor cats will not come to you when called when they run off." How wrong they are. Ben is a gentle giant, and loves everyone. Last night when ordering pizza, Sir Benny decided he was going to bolt out the front door, past my legs and the pizza girl, down the stairs. The pizza girl dropped the food and joined in running down the stairs to help me catch him. Ben had run into the bushes, happy as a clam and prancing (his old territory) with that crazed wild kitty look in his eyes. Afraid of the pizza girl for some reason, every time he'd start to come to me and see her, he'd run away. Luckily, we were able to catch him a few minutes later. It really depends on the personality of the cat. If they are scared and introverted, it is best that you do not chase after them and try to scare them. With cats like Ben, very friendly and extroverted, I knew I could get away with it. Don't give up on your kitties, it is scary even if they are away for a few minutes.

missing family member
by: Anonymous

My beloved cat has always been a bit of an escape artist. He is in an indoor cat but managed to sneak out while I was walking the dog. He has been gone 12 hours and I am a nervous wreck. In the past he has just stayed around the house but this time he has disappeared. I have combed the neighborhood shaking treats and calling his name with no luck. Please keep my kitty in your thoughts.

My cat DID return
by: Heather

My indoor cat got out 3 1/2 days ago. Today, I stayed home from work because I was so worried about her. I wanted to be here if she came home. I left the garage door a little bit open and put food and water out. This morning, at 10 a.m., I went to the garage and she was there, completely casual, just strutting around. Try not to worry too much if your indoor cat got out. It's most likely that s/he will return. Even indoor cats are very drawn to the adventures of the outdoors.

Missing Intelligent Friends
by: Anonymous

To all you cat lovers out there, I must say that are dear little feline friends are more intelligent than we give them credit for. Everytime I leave home for work maybe a week or more or less my purrfectly house happy cat leaves. I don't know how she knows the difference between me going to the stores or going away for a length of time. She just takes off. But till date I have always found her in the neighborhood after much searching.
Take care and remember that they can look after themselves and love their freedom.

My Miracle
by: Danielle

My kitten, Miracle, got out Friday morning (July 1st) came back, and took off again. I made flyers, and every morning I check the live trap-no sign of her.

Miracle Magdalene Rose, if you are reading this, please come home. You have toes to lick, furniture to sleep on and people that love you!

MY CAT RAN OFF, WILL SHE COME BACK?
by: Anonymous

My cat Mizi got out through the kitchen window, and has been missing almost 19 hours. She has never been outside and I live near the expressway which is makes me very worried. My two boys have been up and down my appartment complex calling her. We are plaining on going out of town the next day and now I dont want to leave until I find her. She is fixed and has a microchip, but her id tag has our old phone number that we kept forgetting to get changed. Please pray my little Mizi comes home, I know she's scared and doesnt know what's going on.

My Cece
by: Ayana

My brothers cat Cece had gotten out at least 3 days ago, We have tried ever thing calling her and putting food outside and everything. She did come back but she ran away when i tried to get her.I feel bad for my little brother he only 11 years old. I pray that she comes back because my little brother is heart broken..,:(

Palin our cat
by: Julie and Scott

I Know how you feel my tom has gone missing this morning he is a indoor cat and we are so worried his brother and sister miss him as well. But from what i have read he will return when he is hungry so we keep looking for him and hope he come back soon xx

Missing Kitty
by: Anonymous

My cat just got out through the bathroom window last night, she has not come back, i hear that there is a cat party every night in the next section of the complex, its sunday, its work tomorrow, and i will be half dead at work, but i will be up tonight snooping like aace ventura looking for my dear lil Maya.... wish me luck!

cats going missing
by: Anonymous

most cats do come back, i heard they hv a 20 km radius that they can find you, it can be weeks. but just have to keep waiting.

???
by: Anonymous

did your cat ever come back?

cats always come home
by: Marianela

Hi, I have a cat and she ran away about a month an a half ago. Then she came back after two weeks crying, hungry and looking for attention. Believe me, I was upset and worry that she might get hurt but she was fine. Two days later she ran away again. Now she comes to eat and leaves again. I say 99 percent of times, cats will always come home.

Hope u find your cat! Best wishes!

My Cat Came Back!
by: Anonymous

My cat, Gigi, went missing while I was on vacation. My brother came to Texas (where I live) to house sit and let my precious kitty out by accident. I have 1 other cat and a dog so he didn't realize Gigi was missing. When I arrived back from my vacation, I knew something was wrong because she didn't come out to greet me. I totally freaked out. Called neighbors, posted signs, etc. no luck. It was the first week of August and the hottest days on record. Gigi was an indoor cat; never been outdoors on her own. I live in a wooded area with lots of wild life so I imagined the worst. I cried for days just thinking of how scared she must be. Over a month later, we find her sitting by the mailbox. She was frail and obviously frightened but she survived. So never give up on your little,furry friend.

come home
by: Anonymous

So are you saying that most cats will come home? Its been 24 hours and are cat has not came back.

You could be surprised!
by: Jaimie

My cat, Cedar, got out of the house on December 3rd, 2008...we had just moved into a new house in an unfamiliar area over 100 miles away from our old home. We put up signs, posted missing cat ads on craigslist...went door to door...looking for our beloved cat! We went to the local pound on a daily basis for weeks! To make a really long and heartbreaking story short...I received a phone call today from a little girl, asking me if I was looking for my cat!!! today is 2/12/09 (tomorrow is my birthday) and i am holding my beloved kitty, who is just barely alive..skin and bones, frostbite on her ears - who just had a bit of food, some water and a nice warm bath...after a little blow dry..and ear cleaning..she's purring on my lap..bundled up..having the best sleep of her last 3 months! Don't give up hope...you just may be surprised! My cat was found over 10 miles away! the weather has been below zero at times and over 70 degrees on other days! she traveled thru farmland that is frequented by coyotes and gigantic hawks! i am so grateful!! keep up your hope.

I found Snoopy
by: connie

I found my Snoopy dead frozen under a pile of snow he was so close to home.He went missing
jan 6 and I just foound him yesterday i saw his little ear sticking out of the snow I walked by there every day calling his name but at the coldtemps im sure he died right away.Im just sick over this we so all loved him so much.What a horible accident.I want toturn back the hands of time. he dug hiself unfer an evergreen tree about 12 inchs maybe to try towarm up?At least i found him now I can stop looking for him day and night
in loving memory of
snoopy it will take me forever to get over him being gone and the guilt I feel for his freezing to death.God help me.

Answer by Kate
Oh Connie
I am so sorry. What can i say. But you must not blame yourself. you did everything you could by going out and looking for him as often as you did. i think you must be right though, he probably died soon after getting out otherwise there would be no reason for him to try and return home. cats are smart and if they are cold and can get in the warm they will. he must have passed away fairly quickly.
My thoughts are with you, but you must not blame yourself. Any cat would be lucky to have such a caring owner as you. It was just a terrible accident. look after yourself.
Kate

My Snoopy got afraid and ran away
by: Connie

His name is Snoopy silver gray 9 years old neutered and front declaw, he never goes out side I just had come home from having stomach sergury and couldnt get the door shut after letting outr dog out, Snoopy went out but wanted back in but I was to weak to get it open again so I put on my boots and coat and went arount the back to the porch to get him and I scared him off into the night and it was -25 below o He went missing Jan 6th 2009 so cold Im afraid he may have froze to death ,alltho we also have an outside cat and he lives ok in the winter, but Snoopy has never seen winter.Could he still be alive and find his way home? /I call him all the time and leave food smelly fish food too and he hasnt returned yet, if cats get lost are they good at finding there way home why doesnt he come when i call him?thanks for hearing me out. i miss him so mudh and his indoor wife Ruby crys for him just like i do he was so special.

Cats do return home
by: Laurie

My 2 year old Calico cat Bella got outside and was gone for 3 months before returning home. I had decided she was not going to return, and had gotten another cat. She seems happy to be home, but not happy to have to share me.....hope your cat returns to you...

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