Just joined this because it looked interesting. From my ID, you can tell I love cats but I didn't expect to be asking a "cat" question. Anyone know if a wild animal would scare a cat away from its own home. She was mainly an outdoor cat but never ever went far. She's tagged and all but she dissappeared during the day no less. I know at night, there's a hefty raccoon around here. I ask "wild animal" or "wildlife" because all of the dogs in the neighborhood are fenced in. I know I know, I shouldn't have turned my attention away from her for even a second but broad daylight? Called animal control and they haven't picked up a dead cat. Searched within almost a 3 mile radius of the neighborhood. Hasn't been long but I'm definitely worried. If she got scared, how long will she stay away? (If that is what happened.) She wasn't pregnant. Had her spayed a year ago. Thanks.
2006-10-23 22:02:47 · 15 answers · asked by LuvsKitty's 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I understand that raccoons do not come out during the day unless they have rabbies. Naturally, I'm afraid now, because my cat has been gone now two nights.
2006-10-23 22:05:08 · update #1
Yes it could do that. She might also be stuck in someone's shed or lost - perhaps it or another cat chased her beyond her territory and she has struggled to get back. Either way, you have a small window now to try to find her. Print up some posters and knock on your neighbour's doors/attach them to lamp-posts. Ask them to check their sheds/garages or call you if they spot her.
I can't say how long she'd choose to stay away, but I don't think this is your best bet. Get working on the posters.
2006-10-23 22:13:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had a cat that used to go away for about 3/4 days, just sort of like a long cat walk. Cats are very independent creatures and I'm sure even if she is being fed by a neighbour that she will come back, that's what another one of my cats does. She much prefers the outside and when she found out that one neighbour of ours left a food bowl outside for cats, she goes there more than she does to our house, but she always comes back after a few days of exploring etc.
She could be up a tree- two male cats once chased up my cat up a tree and she was there for two days. We found her eventually and she jumped down, being perfectly ok.
2006-10-23 22:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by clio 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it might not be scared, it might be stuck in someone's garage. One of my cat's was missing for a week and a half before we heard her mewing in back of someone's garage door. She had gotten closed in there and must have been too scared of the car to run for freedom when the garage door lifted. The people who owned the house didn't even know she was there! We got her back that time, but she has since disappeared and hasn't come back. :(
Your cat could be stuck somewhere or it could have wandered farther than it's used to and gotten lost. I know someone that found their lost cat after three months... it was a half an hour drive away from her house!
The best solution is to just not let them out. It only seems cruel to confine them; it's really for their own benefit. Our cats (6 of them) only go outside on a leash now. These cats don't lead miserable lives cooped up indoors... they have toys galore, scratching posts, windows with birdfeeders outside them, and they're never cold, wet, or hungry. Plus, if you never let them outside to begin with, then they never know what they're missing.
Two days is still not too long. She might still be around, just exploring. We had a cat that would disappear for up to a week at a time, so keep your hopes up!
2006-10-23 22:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Answer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only time a cat would be scared away from its home is by someone who lives with them. please dont worry my cat went out one day and didnt come home for a week. i was so upset. ive no idea where she went but she was eating like a pig when she came in. i think she got lost so every evening i would call her and bang her food tin. i had feilds at the back of my house.
hopefully ure cat has got lost but will find her way home. do let us know the outcome and good luck.
2006-10-23 22:25:35 · answer #4 · answered by eat_youup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont want to break your heart but they often leave because a neighbour has upped the ante in the food stakes. Could be your got a cat lady somewhere whose leaving out fresh chicken/fish or other gourmet cat food. I do know someone though who has a friendly cat which follows people, even though she looks perfectly well after it.
2006-10-23 22:06:47 · answer #5 · answered by budda m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats can be very fickle animals.Is someone in your neighbourhood also feeding her? Has she decided she likes their food better. Perhaps she has climbed a tree. Try looking up those near you. My friends cat was stuck up a tree for nearly 2 weeks and survived quite well on insects and the water from rain etc.
2006-10-23 22:13:55 · answer #6 · answered by Andrea S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Large raccoons have been known to kill cats.... Ours stay inside unless on a leash because past kitties have disappeared thanks to the raccoons, and yes a carcass was found once, but usually they just disappeared. Hopefully, I'm wrong and your kitty turns up, but in the future, I'd suggest taking the same precautions we do.
2006-10-23 22:08:02 · answer #7 · answered by kristalshyt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ours went missing for 9 days, he came back on his own real thin and covered in fleas, we think he may have been locked in a shed by mistake? It was an amazeing wake up call it was apx 1.15 am and we both woke up to his crying, we both thought we were dreaming, he had come in via the flap. Unfortunately we had to give him to a sanctuary in the end as we were not able to keep him due to moving circumstances. ps I hope yours comes home.
2006-10-23 22:11:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
spayed cats only travel a 4 block radius and ferol cats wont mess with them...i would inquire neighbors incase maybe they have kids that may have picked the kitty up...good luck....when my cat ran away he was gone 3 days and the crazy cat lady behind me had her and he pooped in all her shoes!!! i was crazy untill my baby came back tho...hope yu find her!
2006-10-23 22:13:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like you live in the u.s.a.....i am in great Britain and this time of year many cats and other small animals get killed or are badly injured by children putting fireworks on to the animals...i don't know what its like around firework night where you live but its a nightmare for pet owners in the UK....hope you find your pet safe and well
2006-10-23 22:10:10 · answer #10 · answered by michael b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋