Does your cat go on outdoor adventures and return after some days? Are you having trouble sleeping at night, concerned for your cat’s well-being and whereabouts? If you are looking to find more information and theories on why your cat disappears and stays away from home for long periods, then look no further and read this article to find the answers to your questions.
Cats are naturally independent animals and can look after themselves just fine. This is why most cat parents allow their cats to roam around indoors or outdoors and let their cats disappear for days on end. Most cats like to scan and study their nearby territories as it is their instinct. Still, they sometimes tend to wander further away for different reasons.
As sad as it is, some cats disappear and do not return home at all, and if your cat is missing, then stay hopeful and positive as, most often than not, the cat returns home when you least expect it. Walking right back inside as if nothing has happened and showing no signs of concern, except for when they need to be fed, that is.
If you are a naturally clingy cat parent, then you should look into pet trackers so that you can stay updated on your feline friend’s whereabouts at all times.
Unneutered or Spayed Cats
If your cat has not been neutered or spayed yet, then it is far more likely for your cat to wander off deliberately for longer periods. Male cats disappear after hearing the calls of female cats and can even smell their scent, who are usually calling out for mating when they are in season.
Unneutered male cats tend to have a larger territory that they like to explore and wander around than the smaller territories of neutered male cats. Female un-spayed cats are somewhat similar. They are also likely to roam around, and cats disappear further away, searching for a male cat to mate with.
This is why getting your cat neutered or spayed can be beneficial, as you will not need to worry about your cats disappearing for too long.
Cats Can Get Lost
Another common scenario that may contribute to your cat disappearing and not returning home for long periods is that your cat has lost its way back home.
It may be that your cat was relaxing at a spot when suddenly something startled them, and they may have run into a hiding spot. After which, they decide to come out once it feels safe to them, but they might face trouble trying to recognize familiar things and necessary for them to trail back home.
As a result, the cat spends most of its time trying to find the right way back home, perhaps also being distracted by other random things along the way, such as other cats or animals.
If you want to help your cat find its way back home, try scattering your cat’s litter around the backyard or just the perimeters of your home in general.
They May Have Found Someone Else
Unfortunately, cats disappear and sometimes find a better offer someplace else, and this may be the reason your cat goes missing for long periods than usual. Cats are very determined and strong-willed creatures; therefore, if your cat wants to be someplace else, then you can’t do anything about it.
Some of the reasons why your cat has started spending more time outdoors include the possibility that they may have found another home where they feel more relaxed and are regularly fed by someone, which can add to the frustration even more.
Another reason that your cats disappear could be related to the environment of your home that does not match your cat’s personality, and this may be why your cat disappears for so long.
Your Cat May Need Some Alone Time
It is quite common for cats to become over-stimulated, and your cat needs to have its territory where it can go and spend some time alone. If your home does not have that sort of private area for your cat, then there are far greater chances that your cat will disappear and wander off someplace else in search of that solitude and will only return home when it decides they are ready.
In addition to that, some overstimulation causes stem from the excess of noise, which is a major factor contributing to high anxiety levels among cats. Moreover, excessive attention and handling can also lead to cats being overstimulated, leaving the cat searching for an escape room.
Your Cat Might Be Sick
Cats like to stay alone during sickness because it is a survival mechanism in which the cat tries to hide any signs of weaknesses that can present itself as an easy target for other creatures.
Please always remain alert and aware of signs that may reveal your cat is sick, and do not wait for it to approach you for help as that is least likely to happen. If you have noticed signs of lost appetite, less or slow mobility, and reluctance to use the litter, then it is time for you to take your cat to the vet.
Bottom Line
Wandering and exploring is an instinct of cats. You can only do so much to prevent your cat from disappearing for long stressful periods, especially if you are reluctant to let your cat roam outdoors.
To make your cat more accustomed to indoors, you can try out a few techniques aside from neutering or spaying. Firstly, providing your cat with a wonderful home environment will let your cat know that their privacy and emotional well-being are a priority for you.
Playing mimic hunting can also fulfill your cat’s natural hunting desires and keep them happy with where they stay.
