My male cat ( not fixed) escaped outside and was gone for days.?

Question

Since then he's acting depressed, grouchy and almost like he's sore in his belly. Could it just be a behavoir problem? He unfortunetely hasn't had his shots yet.I try to keep him inside but he keeps shooting outside every time the door opens. Limited funds keep me from running to the Vet all the time unless it's important. Any ideas?

Answer 1

He has natural instincts to mate, which is why he was gone for a couple days. Most Counties have programs for lower income families to get their pets spayed or neutered, and with cats especially, you need to have youre cat fixed, as there is an over population in most states. Check with your local Humane Society, they could probably tell you how to get some help with lower costs in the neutering of your male cat. Dont wait, he deserves it!

Answer 2

Without knowing all the facts if he's a full grown tom then he's behaving normally. He will never be like a real pet. His interests are two things, females and fighting. An unneutered male will spend days, weeks, months away from home, some never return. Their territories are quite large. They will neglect themselves they are poor hunters and are often killed on the roads or through infections, (infected wounds, diseases picked up on his wanderings, etc).

We had one that turned up again after 18months!! He stayed for an hour or so then left and that was that. He was friendly enough with me but with hubby he was positively aggressive. The idea of letting the toms have their 'fun' is just nonsense. This is a human's concept, not his. Having him neutered will, firstly make him cleaner (he wont smell as bad!), his interests will be diverted to you and the household, he will be healthier and happier. Secondly, you'll prevent more unwanted kittens being born. It's a simple procedure at the vets and some animal charities may agree to pay half if not all the fee if funds are low. Good luck.

Answer 3

I know that you don't want to hear this, but you are not being a very good pet owner.
You have an adult male cat that is not vaccinated, which costs what, £40? He got out and got into a fight so he's now at risk from one of the many preventable infectious diseases.
He has a 'sore' belly, which you haven't examined so you don't know if he has an open wound, or punctures; which if inflicted by another cat will need antibiotics because their mouths are filthy.
So, what makes you think that this is a behaviour problem?
He needs his shots and he needs neutering. That is not a behaviour problem.

Answer 4

I would say this is important - limited funds or not. Depression, changes in behavior and unexplained painfulness in the abdomen are all possibly symptoms of serious injury/illness - and the only way to know for sure is to visit the vet. While he's there, have him tested for feline leukemia and FIV, neutered and vaccinated. Yeah, it costs money, but you should have realized properly caring for a cat costs money when you decided to take him into your home. If you cannot care for him properly, take him to your local no-kill shelter where he can hopefully find a home that will.

Answer 5

Unless it's important? Sorry to tell you this, but those shots are extremely important. Especially since you have trouble keeping kitty indoors. You cat is exposed to possibilities of Feline Leukemia, Feline Aids, or even Rabies or Feline equivalents of parvo and a few other nice diseases. Have you ever seen an animal die of parvo? It's very messy and painful. The animal gets diarreha and loses all it's blood from Xing it out their rear end. Not only that, but your cat can get into poisons and other fun things as well. You need to take your cat to a vet and get the shots done! My apologies for being blunt with you, but I have seen alot of poor animals die for the sake of a stupid shot. Not pretty. As for what your cat got into this time around? Who can say, check for cuts and watch for signs of illness, be ready to call your vet. If you thought shots could be expensive, try treating feline aids!

Answer 6

This is important! If you don't have the funds to take care of the cat, it would be better if he were rehomed. He MUST have his vaccinations. Feline diseases spread like wildfire. Also, if you are in the US, the humane society may help with neutering. In the UK, Cats Protection operate a voucher scheme for people on low incomes to neuter their cats. You must neuter him, for every sort of reason. Or leave him, and the many kittens he produces, to a life of misery.

Answer 7

He could have gone to mate with another cat and that is why he was gone. In mating male cats often pull muscles so your cat could have just pulled one in his belly and is depressed cause it hurts a bit, if it continues for more than a week take him to the vets just to be on the safe side.

Answer 8

Your male cat needs to be neutered. It will make him a much nicer pet. He's been out on a toot looking for the girl kitties.... and getting in fights, most probably. So he is grouchy and sore when he comes home. He'll rest up and he'll be gone again and eventually he won't come home anymore. So please get him neutered.

Answer 9

Believe me, its important!!! He needs to be neutered, or one time he will run out and just not come back. He needs his shots, because while he is out there he is coming into contact with all manner of dangerous and even fatal diseases and infections. Limited funds is a rough situation to be in, I know (state pension ) but try pet insurance through Sainsurys- its very good, and so is Tescos., get him seen to, for his own health and your peace of mind!!

Answer 10

Tom cats like to be outside & will go a.w.o.l because they can. He has places to go & other cats to fight. My cats have not had their shots, although they are insured. I would advise you to do that at least. Your tom might be sulking because he can't get out when he wants. If he's off his food then it would mean a visit to the vets, just to be on the safe side, as it takes a lot to put a cat off his food.