I have tried putting butter on his feet before I let him outside, but he still gets lost. any suggestions?
2006-10-25 07:18:32 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats like to roam. I have indoor cats now, but up until these three I've had indoor/outdoor cats all my life. Have the cat fixed if he/she is not already, neutered/spayed cats are less likely to roam. Get it micro-chipped (usually only costs about $10) for piece of mind, and possibly put a break-a-way collar on it. The cat will come home to seek shelter, eat, and sleep as long as it is in a happy environment.
Cats don't typically stay in the yard but they do have a good sense of direction. They'll wonder off but will come home again. If the kitty going out of your site is too worrisome keep it indoors.
2006-10-25 07:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by thatgirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How exactly does he "get lost"? Do you have to go looking for him? If not and he comes home on his own, he's not getting lost, he's just roaming. Cats do that.
Keeping him inside would be much safer. For him and for your wallet since there are many dangers to the free-roaming cat that can be extensively expensive to treat (can you imagine emergency vet services for a cat that was hit by a car?).
When we first got our male cat, we would take him outside on a harness and leash. After a while, we started taking it off. He's at a point now where we can take him out on our patio with us. He'll chase some birds, squirrels, bugs...sometimes a leaf or two...maybe climb the small crabapple in our little patch of yard...then we can bring him right back in. But he's a needy cat who seems to have little-to-no desire to run off. Whether he's just like that or we made him that way by restraining him from doing so for a few months, I can't be sure. Either way, restraining them for safe outdoor time is much more effective than putting butter on their paws.
2006-10-25 08:08:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make him an indoor cat, if he can't be indoors, find a home for him that will keep him inside. You may not want to give up your pet, but knowing he's alive and well with someone else is a lot less heartbreaking than scraping him up off the side of the road!
2006-10-25 07:42:03 · answer #3 · answered by kalamibe 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats (especially males) tend to roam just a bit when outdoors. If you want to let him play outside, your best bet is to build a fenced-in area with screening or chicken wire for a roof. That was, he can enjoy the sunshine in relative safety. Make sure he has places to lay and climb, and that he has water at least.
Good luck!
2006-10-25 07:45:22 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have a completely in closed backyard with no way the cat can escape there is no way of keeping your cat form wondering. Cats have an amazing sense of direction and know where their nice clean bed, nice can food and the people that scratch it's head are located. It will come back, it's not lost. And obviously yours has come home because the title of your e-mail was not "help I've lost my cat"
Cats are very independent, my old cat when we moved when out one night and didn't come back for 2 days... He was exploring. Completely natural.
2006-10-25 07:45:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
first of all any pet should not be allowed outdoors unless on a line that will keep it in a cretain area. Animals can very easily be hurt or killed when allowed to wander. And butter? You have got to be kidding. Get real.
2006-10-25 07:24:44 · answer #6 · answered by gitana_diosa 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Is he neutered? That will help keep in closer to home. Other than that, outdoor cats wander, it is in their nature to have a home range that they wander through out. One question I have tho, why butter? :/
2006-10-25 07:27:51 · answer #7 · answered by DazeyChain 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's generally much better for your cat if you keep him inside. Outdoor cats are more prone to diseases and at a higher risk of getting in fights or hurt by other animals. He'd be much safer, and undoubtedly much happier if you keep him inside (and you wouldn't have to worry as much).
2006-10-25 07:25:43 · answer #8 · answered by Artemiseos 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If he runs away it is either because
a) He's not neutered - PLEASE have him neutered to prevent adding to the overpopulation!
b) He doesn't like you because you put butter on his feet.
As others have suggested, a lot of bad things can happen to an outdoor cat, so please keep him safely inside.
2006-10-25 07:32:14 · answer #9 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would say keep him indoors, but if the cat is happy and loves where he lives, he'll come home!
My neighboors cat is like that.. frickin thing goes away for days then comes home for food! haha
2006-10-25 07:25:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋