My cat has run away again.

by Zoe Jaques
(Victoria)

I have a 13 yr old neutered male cat, in good health. I have had him from a kitten.

We have moved house lots of times and he has never ran away. He likes to go both indoors and out, but usually sleeps indoors.
2 months ago he dissapeared for 3 weeks, after an extensive search, a man found him living under his house not far from home.
I brought him home and spoiled him rotten, he was perfectly alright until one week ago he dissapered again. He is not where he went before.
Nothing has changed at home for him to want to runaway, and if I find him again, is he likely to keep doing this?

Answer by Kate
It sounds to me like this cat is probably very unsettled due to the many moves in his life (some cats just find it difficult while others take it in their stride). Also it could be that you just have a cat that has the wander lust in him. I have come across some cats that through out their life love to go off a wandering for no apparent reason, while others are perfectly happy to stay put. If like you say their is no obvious reason for the dissappearance then, yes i would say that your cat may always want to do this, after all, cats remain essentially wild at heart, driven by instincts and smells. It is difficult for us humans to understand as we are not governed by the same desires.

I hope your boy decides to come home again once he is bored with this particular road trip. Best wishes kate

---