cat went missing for 2 weeks,think he was stolen but now he's back with all his hair cut off! will he be ok?

Question

My (usually long haired) cat went missing a week and a half ago. We only had him a couple of weeks and he got out (and we think he got lost). He is two years old and a rescue cat. We never heard anything until we posted leaflets to all our neighbours and now he has turned back up. However, whoever took him has decided to give him a hair cut for some stupid reason and now he seems scared because of it?! I know it's a stupid question but will his hair/fur grow back and how long is it best to keep a new cat in order for them to get used to their new home? (sorry about the waffle) any help/advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

Those who suggested I was being neglectful FYI i have had many cats or majority of my life (20ish years) however these have all been since kittens and therefore I have never had the experience of looking after a cat who has had a "previous life". And have never had to deal with such issues.

Also when he left us he was not matted we had taken him to the vet and groomers who checked everything out. So I believe the people who took him cut him to change his appearance for selfish reasons (unless he got tangled up in twigs).

I have another cat who predominately stays outside (in the garden - we have 2 acres) and when we let her in, the new cat accidentally got out. I have been devastated for the past two weeks and am elated that he is back.

I am planning (on the advice of some) to keep him in for a good few months and get further advice from our vet.
Sorry if I sound a bit arsy but I felt I had to defend myself against some of the comments!

Thanks again for your advice.

I meant half an acre! also he's black, it was dark - he ran off. Nothing else we could do. Im being uber defensive but I find it highly offensive that i have been made out to be some cat hater!

Answer 1

yes his hair will grow back. who ever found your cat the cat could've been matted and needed it. At this time of year there are nasty little stickers that get in their coats and can cause matting very quickly. I am sure they were not doing it to be mean or anything like that. Try to keep your new cat inside even if he cries for at least a month or more before letting him explore the outdoors. Good luck Your cats hair will grow back. As for how long it takes depends on your cat but usually within a month or so it should be getting longer again.

Answer 2

Surely you have to take care that the little kitten cannot run out of the house. But even elder cats run away sometimes. This just happened to my neighbour - his 7 year old cat is missing now, 'cause it jumped off the balcony, where it has always been sitting. Sometimes cats find their way back home - even after - like 6 weeks. This happened to a friend some time ago. To answer your question, a two year old cat is an adult cat. Also adult cats have to get use to their new territory. Once they feel home, they normally don't want to run away from their loved ones, but ones they smell the fresh air, the hunting instinct gets through and they forget about all. You must always take care. The idiot that cut your cat's hair off.... Well, it will grow back, but maybe it will take a few months till the fur is back to normal. Your cat will now always be afraid if someone but you will stroke its fur. My cat is afraid to be put in the ranzel since I took it like that to the doc for an injection. Before it has never been afraid. It's like a trauma. You have to be very gentle to your cat now - and after a long, long time your cat will not be so afraid anymore. How long will it take to keep a new cat in? Well, people that have house and garden for example, let their little cats out after 3 or 4 months of age. The cats that have to do without garden will get lost, but the cats that are use to a garden will normally return home. My cat is 1 year and 4 months old. Now she has become a bit quieter. Before she's been real wild and ran a lot - also in the house (appartment). And whenever I opened the front door she would run up the staircase and I had to catch her again. But now she is much more calm and just watches me or other people coming in - she watches the corridor but she doesn't run out anymore. I read a lot of cat books. That helps. Every book gives you other ideas and you can study your own cat much better. I hope, my 'answer' was of help. Bey-bey!

Answer 3

I'm kinda confused how you say the cat "got out" but then you ask "is it best to keep a new cat in". You obviously were letting this cat outside. When you adopted this cat from a shelter did you tell them you were going to let him be outside? Because most shelters do not adopt out to people that are going to do this. The outdoors is VERY dangerous and I can't believe you would think of having a longhair cat outdoors. The poor thing's hair would be matted with burrs, dirt, etc. It was probably already matted up when the other people found your cat and had it shaved it order to make it more comfortable.

Please re-read your contract with the shelter. If you can't keep this cat indoors please bring it back to the shelter. It deserves a better life than that. And read this if you need further convincing - http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=indoorsoroutdoors

As for the coat growing back - it will grown back but it takes quite a long time. My Persian, who came from a shelter, was all shaved down when I adopted him because he'd been tossed outside and was covered with mats, fleas and ticks. It's been 8 months now and his coat is about 75% of the way back in. So I'd say it takes about a year to get all the way grown back in. Pretty stupid of this person to do this to the cat as it's going to be pretty uncomfortable during the winter. You may have to get a S or XS dog sweater for it.

Answer 4

You know, I personally have cared for cats I have met who may or may not have an owner, but appear neglected.
I've "fixed" over 40 cats not belonging to me.
I have a hunch that your cat was matted and someone helped
him out. It's not the haircut that's made him nervous, he's
just disoriented from having stayed at three different places
all in the span of 3 or 4 weeks.
I have seen animals living in a home with people who don't even NOTICE matts, fleabite dermatitis, eye infections, or just plain unthriftiness in thier cat or dog.
Maybe your cat needed a good trim.

Answer 5

Cats get shaved all the time, and their fur always grows back just fine. Unless you are writing from somewhere in the southern hemisphere, where it is spring, your cat is facing some chilly days and chillier nights until his fur grows back in. Give him a nice, warm bed -- something in a tent-like shape would be best for holding in the warmth -- and keep him near a radiator or in a warm spot.

I would be much more concerned about the fear response in your cat, as it suggests he may have been abused. That would be a source of concern for two reasons. First, there may be an animal abuser in your neighborhood, and that is always kind of a scary thing. So it would be best not to let him roam too far. Let him out to sunbathe and hunt during the day, but be sure he is inside at nightfall.

And second because his fear of someone in the neighborhood may extend to you, may undermine his trust in people in general, including you. Really, the best thing for him is to keep him in the bathroom, or if you have one available to you, a cage for a week or so. He really needs reassurance right now, that he is loved; that this is his home; that he is safe in his home. And he needs to adjust to the sights, sounds and rhythms of his new home, and to explore its may nooks and crannies, so that he comes to understand what is normal and feels safe there.

Another thing you might consider doing, because someone scared the bejesus out of him, is call animal control (the animal cops) or if you don't have any of those, the police to report what happened. You may not know or even be able to guess who did this to your cat, but the authorities may have other complaints or reports on file. They may actually know of someone who torments animals in your neighborhood. People like this can be very dangerous to animals and to the most vulnerable people, like the very young or very senior. So it would be a community service to let them know about this.

Finally, you should have this cat microchipped or, if he is already microchipped, get a collar on him with your name and phone number. Because it's just possible that somebody found your cat in dire straits where he had gotten something nasty on his fur, and took it upon themselves to shave him to prevent matting or filth from becoming embedded in the fur. This is a long shot, but a possibility, and if you had a collar with your number, just maybe you would have gotten a phone call.

Hope this helps. Don't worry about the shaved fur, but if you live in the northern hemisphere and have winter, he is going to be a chilly guy for a couple of months, and you should provide the warmth that was shaved off him to compensate. Good luck.

Answer 6

Yes, his hair will grow back. It does take a while. He was traumatized! Something really frightened him. Keep him indoors and watch the door every time you go out! He is really scared right now. Make sure he has plenty of food to eat and water to drink. And be sure he has a spot in the house to hide. He will eventually feel safe again. And forget the mean comments you get from some. . He got out by mistake. And you are happy to have him back! Good luck to you and your cat!

Answer 7

Convenient how he mysteriously came back after you gave your neighbors a flyer about your lost kitty. :)
Well at least you know he wasn't wandering around hungry.
He was probably a little scared being recently adopted in the first place, and even more so with the whole haircut thing. Keep him inside and give him time and lots of love and I'm sure he'll come around. It's amazing what some TLC and lovin can do for animals. Good Luck!

Answer 8

It depends of course upon how much of the length was cut off, but it will take a number of months for the hair to grow back. That said, the haircut will be less noticeable before it's fully regrown. Your cat is likely spooked more by the whole experience than by his new hairdo. Give him time.

It is really best to for your cat's health and safety to keep him in at all times, in other words for him to be a strictly indoor cat. (You may wish to discuss this with your vet.) That said, I would keep him in for a number of weeks, perhaps at least a month before letting him out, if he is to be an indoor/outdoor cat. Also, please be sure that he is up to date with his vaccines, or titer testing.

I'm glad that you have your cat back!

Answer 9

If he is all black,he could have been stolen. Black cats are taken a Halloween time. They are used for sacrafices. Do not let your cat out again. Animal control will not even adopt out black cats this time of year. Check it out if you don't believe me. At least they don't in Florida. Your cat will be fine. Just give him a lot of attention. Who knows what the poor thing has been through.

Answer 10

The hair will grow back.. and it will grow quickly. Sounds like someone was playing a prank on you.

as far as a new pet. keep them in a small room for about 4 or 5days to get used to one room. this way they can get used to the smells of the house and noise. this room will be thier "safe room" then they can go exploring throughout the rest of the house.