Help my cat keeps going missing!!!!!!!?

Question

Hi, Ok I have a male cat he’s a Bombay, he’s about 4 maybe 5 years old so kinda middle aged in cat years! George wasn’t my cat originally, he belonged to a women who used to live near where one of my friends lives; George used to keep coming to my friends house and was always there when I visited. One day George’s owner came over to us and asked us if either one of us would like to keep George as he seems to like us so much. I love animals so I agreed to take him on.

His owner said she is out at work all day and her partner doesn’t like cats (I was all like, “yeah so dump the partner!”) That comment didn’t sit well with her at all. But anyways, so I live about ¾ of a mile away from this women. George at first settled down very well with me; then after eight months. all of a sudden he went missing. I then got a call from my friend who lives near the original owner of George, and she told me George is sitting outside the back door at her place! How he managed to find his way back through all the busy roads etc is beyond me. So I went back down there, fetched him back, then the same thing happened again two weeks later, so each time I got back and collect him, two weeks he stays back with me then disappears again!

So I then figured he must be missing his original owner, so I went to try and go and see her, to see maybe if she wanted him back, but she had moved away without leaving a forwarding address. My main concern obviously is George crossing those main roads, but I am at a loss of what to do, I took him to the vets who were very unhelpful and just said, “well that’s what cats do” That doesn’t help!!! I think George is doing this because that it is territory, like a male thing? He has been neutered which usually stops them wondering. I was wondering if anyone has any solutions. I have tried the Feliway cat pheromones. That didn’t really help. He is a very healthy cat otherwise. Any comments would be appreciated!

A message to the person you commented that I shouldnt have a cat because I am risking his life by lettting him out. Cats are OUTDOOR creatures, to confine a cat is cruel, I have tried to keep George inside but he crys and gets so distressed if I keep him inside. I agree with some of the comments other people have made on here that we don't own cats, they 'own' us. Cats are very independant. It's people like YOU tha shouldn't have cats due to your obvious lack of understanding of the animal.

A message to the person who commented that I shouldnt have a cat because I am risking his life by lettting him out. Cats are OUTDOOR creatures, to confine a cat is cruel, I have tried to keep George inside but he crys and gets so distressed if I keep him inside. I agree with some of the comments other people have made on here that we don't own cats, they 'own' us. Cats are very independant. It's people like YOU tha shouldn't have cats due to your obvious lack of understanding of the animal.

Answer 1

Hi,
The sad thing about all this is we never own the cat, the cat owns us. If he is not happy where he is, he will just pack up his little black satchel and move on. Cats are basically wild and some are roamers and this cannot be trained out of them.

But maybe if you got him some catnip toys and things he likes, he may stay around more. It is worth a shot, you obviously love him or you would not go and get him every time. You can try keeping him in for a while with a litter box for about a month and see if this does any good.
Just continue to love him and give him lots of reasons to stick around, he obviously loved his old family, or he would not keep going back there.
The woman was his only owner for those 4 years or so? If so, this is what is wrong. Cats have strong Homing instincts and will go back to where they were raised and happy.

Here is a site on Cats and homing instints:

Answer 2

I see no other way but to turn George into an indoor cat with strictly supervised outings (halter and leash or outdoor cat kennel). He will protest quite a bit in the beginnng but will eventually get used to being an indoors only cat. I don't know how fixed you are in your presnt place (whether you own it or renting), but if you move in the futire, you will find that it is easier to keep George indoors - becuase he will by then be completely at a loss as to where his 'other' house could be.
My indoor-outdoor cat used to cry all the time when we moved to an apartment block that was not "cat-freindly" (too many dangers outside). He even escaped once and drove me nuts looking for him. Then after 3 months, we moved to a house. Now my cat is quite happy to stay indoors and shows no inclinaon to make a dash out the door whenever someone comes in or out.

Oh, I hope you do decide to take the trouble to turn George into an indoor cat only. He has been very lucky so far in that nothing bad has happened to him crossing those streets. He might not be too lucky next time. For his own good, confine him indoors.

Answer 3

Unfortunately the vet is right. Besides confining the cat indoors, there is not much you can do to stop a cat from wandering. Male cats expecially are prone to this, even the neutered ones. Unless you want to turn George into a full time house kitty, your just going to have to adjust to his rambling. Consider inputting a kitty door if you don't already have one, perhaps in the washroom or garage. This way George can come home and eat when he gets ready to. And as long as you are supplying him with food, he should keep coming back. Unfortunatly that's pretty much all you can do, that and keep your fingers crossed when he crosses the highway.

Answer 4

Keep him in the house for at least a month, if not longer, or just make him an in door cat. I have 3 cats, 2 of them were indoor / outdoor cats, but we just moved. As much as my cats would rather be outside, they are in doors for the next two months, as they would no doubt do the same thing because we only moved a couple blocks away from our old place. Cats instinctively go home, and if you haven't given him the time to make your home his, he will always go back to his "old" home.

Answer 5

hi! George is being a cat! That doesn't help, I know. This might though: Try keeping him inside for a couple weeks, maybe a month.
**(If he is not litter trained, and is used to going out side to do his business, put a bit dirt and grass in a litter box with the cat litter and he will figure it out.)**
He may forget his way back to his previous home. He is just going home in his mind. Why am I here? I'm going home. lol He loves you, I'm sure, but like I said , hes just going home! Cats do this, not all, but most. When you take them away from their home, they want to go back. Annoying, I know!
George seems like a friendly fellow! Enjoy him! :o)

Answer 6

I don't think you can stop George from wandering back to his "home" unless you make him an indoor only cat. If the traffic is that much of a concern, I would try to do that. Indoor cats can be happy, although it may take a while for him to adjust.

Good luck.

Answer 7

cats always go somewhere to mate or get food or friends so dont worry. how they get out buy windows or open doors.and its a good thing u need to let them outside so they go somewhere and know how to get back home.

Answer 8

Nuetering could help suppress his inclination to "wander around".

Answer 9

I dunno, I guess you could break his legs or something.