We love cats because these feathery, four-legged animals can bring a lot of joy to our lives. However, despite our love for them, they occasionally wander off and vanish for hours or even days. So, why do cats runaway?
Since a cat may leave for various reasons, the answer is not always straightforward. Let’s look at some of the most common explanations:
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Common reasons why cats runaway
1. Curiosity
Cats love to look around because they are naturally curious creatures. Sometimes, their inquisitiveness gets the better of them, and they leave their homes to look at and smell new things.
2. Fear
Loud noises, strange people, and other animals can easily frighten cats. If a cat feels compromised or frightened, it could take off to find a safe hiding place.
3. Boredom
Cats can become bored if they don’t get enough stimulation. A cat may flee to find something more interesting to do if they don’t get enough playtime, attention, or mental stimulation.
4. Hunting
Cats are natural hunters, and they love to pursue prey. They might occasionally spot something moving in the distance and decide to pursue it, ignoring their home and owners.
5. Heat
A female cat in heat may flee to find a mate. Male cats may also leave in search of a female in heat.
Things you can do to keep your feline friend from running away
1. Provide plenty of stimulation
Make sure your cat has plenty of toys, and spend time playing with them yourself. You can also try hiding treats around the house for them to find or setting up a puzzle feeder to keep their minds busy.
2. Keep them safe
Ensure your feline is microchipped and wears a collar with your contact information. Additionally, ensure that your home is secure and that your cat cannot easily escape.
3. Give them attention
Cats enjoy being petted, so give them plenty of time to play and cuddle. You could also give them a cosy spot to curl up in.
4. Spay or neuter
Spaying or neutering your cat can help lessen their desire to wander off searching for a mate.
5. Be patient
If your cat takes off, don’t panic. In general, cats are very good at finding their way back home. Just keep looking for them and leave out some food and water for them to find.
While it may be upsetting when our four-legged friends flee, it is essential to remember that they frequently do so for legitimate reasons. We can help keep our cats happy and content and hopefully keep them from wandering too far from home by giving them lots of love, stimulation, and attention. We should embrace our felines and appreciate their company – they’re worth it! To help understand your cat better, learn about your cat’s body language and what it means. If you need help training your cat, find a reliable trainer in our pet training service directory.
That was very helpfull,we do have a nearly 2 yr old male,and we take him outside,go for about an hour,but when he must get back,he gets aggresive and bite my legs,is it because he doesnt want to
Hi Tersia, I’m glad you found the information helpful. Regarding your nearly 2-year-old male dog’s behaviour, aggression when returning indoors could be due to various factors. It’s advisable to observe his body language and consult with a professional to better understand and address this behaviour.
I think she is talking about a cat?
Hi Bernadette
Yes, I was also referring to the cat. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I have 4 cats. 3 of them can go outside. Trying to change it so they can stay inside but with no luck. Gertjie does not use a litter box. 4 o’ clock all 3 return home for dinner and they sleep inside. But for the last 3 weeks i have a problem with Lilly. She comes home but hangs outside. I normaly loure her with treats and catnip but this does not help anymore. She does not come. She hangs out in the yard but dont want to come inside. So she sleeps outside somedays. When the door opens she comes in, only to go outside minutes later. What is the problem.
Hi Erika, I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you’re facing with Lilly and the transition to keeping your cats indoors. It sounds like a frustrating situation. To gain insight into Lilly’s behaviour and explore possible solutions, I recommend reaching out to our free online vet. The vet can provide expert advice tailored to Lilly’s specific needs and help address any concerns you may have.