Cat hasn't returned home for over a day

aliceneko

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Fudge often likes hunting at night, but he normally always comes back. He came back this morning but only had his breakfast, and then went off again and it's now 8:45pm and he hasn't come home since he left at roughly 8am this morning. He and his brother haven't been on the best of terms lately, and often get into fights, and we wonder if this is one of the reasons why Fudge is outside a lot more, as well as that it was Bonfire Night last week and Fudge hates fireworks (but he normally stays indoors when they are on). I normally wouldn't be worried as he is quite a solitary character anyway, and enjoys long afternoons alone in the garden area, but he will always come back for lunch or dinner, or in the evening for cuddles. Around this time he is usually on our windowsill or indoors.

We have left out food for him as well as treats but he still hasn't come home. I know he does like to hunt round by the allotments as he often plays with the neighbours cat there (they are opposite our house). I hope he is just staying there for longer but it's due to rain here tomorrow and I'm starting to worry that he won't return tonight.

Do you have any advice? Fudge is semi-feral, so he doesn't like strangers, thus we can't ask the neighbours for help as that will just spook him even more.
 
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aliceneko

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Hi! When he does return, would you be interested in trying a catio? If you can, keep the food out for him.

But the fighting between the brothers is not helping, you're right. Does cat music help them at all?
We have a small garden with a small patio so I'm not sure if a catio would work for us - but the current patio is acting as a catio in the summer and warmer weather.

Cat music doesn't help so much but we have tried Feliways and it seems to calm them down a little. Fudge has probably been having a tough time as of late due to fireworks and the fighting, but as I'm writing this its midnight and he is still not here.

Thank you for your answer :)
 

BellaGooch

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Hello!

If he usually returns in the morning I'm sure he'll come back sometime soon.
It is not unusual for cats to go missing for a few days, weeks, or even months. Please don't lose faith or give up hope!

I would advise that you continue to put food out and go about what you usually would do.

Please, please keep us updated! I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! :grouphug:
 

kittychick

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Definitely keep the faith —- as hard as it is (& I know - as many of us do, from experience!). Fudge may be settled in somewhere due to the fear of fireworks — esp since you know that terrifies him. Cats will often hunker down until true hunger - or a feeling safety’s near (sound of mom, etc) - overrides the fear that drove them into hiding.

Keep doing your normal “food routine” — does Fudge ever respond to his name, a special “food sound”? We have ferals/indoors/etc that all come running for various sounds —-whatever they love most—whether it’s the crinkle of single slice cheese wrappers, the popping of a cat food can, the shaking of a “kitty broth” pouch....anything that makes them perk up & say “hey - mom’s here & I need to be THERE!” Walk the neighborhood at dusk & early dawn —- I usually add middle of the night too — the times kitties are most likely to be awake & listening for anything that might draw them out of hiding. Also carry something smelly (to us) that reaches a kitties nose from afar like canned mackerel. Walking & calling softly, periodically opening & closing the mackerel can. That ‘yummy’ smell may be enough to draw him out - or at least create movement so you can see him. Bring a flashlight (to look for eyes!) and keep a carrier near (if Fudge - as a semi-feral - would be ‘wrangleable’).

And as Furballsmom Furballsmom suggested, it’d be great if there’s any way to give Fudge something resembling a catio. If he’s inside (bully for you if so- as one who’s trying!), maybe a large window insert would help satisfy? Or at least a bird feeder he can keep his eyes on? And if he is outside, on days you expect fireworks (which scare LOTS of us!) maybe you can confine him on at least those days!

Keep us posted on Fudge!
 
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aliceneko

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Still no sign, didn't come home at all this morning.

Definitely keep the faith —- as hard as it is (& I know - as many of us do, from experience!). Fudge may be settled in somewhere due to the fear of fireworks — esp since you know that terrifies him. Cats will often hunker down until true hunger - or a feeling safety’s near (sound of mom, etc) - overrides the fear that drove them into hiding.

Keep doing your normal “food routine” — does Fudge ever respond to his name, a special “food sound”? We have ferals/indoors/etc that all come running for various sounds —-whatever they love most—whether it’s the crinkle of single slice cheese wrappers, the popping of a cat food can, the shaking of a “kitty broth” pouch....anything that makes them perk up & say “hey - mom’s here & I need to be THERE!” Walk the neighborhood at dusk & early dawn —- I usually add middle of the night too — the times kitties are most likely to be awake & listening for anything that might draw them out of hiding. Also carry something smelly (to us) that reaches a kitties nose from afar like canned mackerel. Walking & calling softly, periodically opening & closing the mackerel can. That ‘yummy’ smell may be enough to draw him out - or at least create movement so you can see him. Bring a flashlight (to look for eyes!) and keep a carrier near (if Fudge - as a semi-feral - would be ‘wrangleable’).

And as Furballsmom Furballsmom suggested, it’d be great if there’s any way to give Fudge something resembling a catio. If he’s inside (bully for you if so- as one who’s trying!), maybe a large window insert would help satisfy? Or at least a bird feeder he can keep his eyes on? And if he is outside, on days you expect fireworks (which scare LOTS of us!) maybe you can confine him on at least those days!

Keep us posted on Fudge!
Thank you :)

He tends to respond more to the word food than his name haha, we've been calling both but we've also been using familiar words like dinner.

We've been putting out a bowl of his favourite food and treats where he likes to go in the garden.
 

neely

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I'm so sorry to hear that Fudge has wandered off and hasn't come home yet. The above members gave you some good advice. Have you posted any flyers in your neighborhood? Does he wear a collar and/or is he microchipped? Since you mentioned he is semi-feral and afraid of fireworks it may take him awhile to come out of hiding because he doesn't feel safe. I thought this Article might have some helpful information for you: Help! My Cat Is Lost! – TheCatSite Articles

Fingers crossed you find Fudge safe and sound. :crossfingers::crossfingers: Please keep us updated. 🤗
 
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aliceneko

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I'm so sorry to hear that Fudge has wandered off and hasn't come home yet. The above members gave you some good advice. Have you posted any flyers in your neighborhood? Does he wear a collar and/or is he microchipped? Since you mentioned he is semi-feral and afraid of fireworks it may take him awhile to come out of hiding because he doesn't feel safe. I thought this Article might have some helpful information for you: Help! My Cat Is Lost! – TheCatSite Articles

Fingers crossed you find Fudge safe and sound. :crossfingers::crossfingers: Please keep us updated. 🤗
Thank you for your help - he is microchipped and neutered - the shelter we got them from has a policy where none of their cats leave without being microchipped and spayed/neutered. I have copies of both him and Toffee's microchip details the shelter gave us when we adopted them. We tried a collar but he is quite sensitive to them, and bit it off within minutes of us putting it on him!
 
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aliceneko

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Are there sheds, greenhouses on the allotments that he could be locked in.
There are a few sheds and we're about to go down there again to see if he may be in there. I will keep updated - have already checked in our own and he wasn't there.
 
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aliceneko

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I hope you are lucky.
Thank you - we have put up a message by the allotments as we don't have a plot to urge people who do to check any sheds and greenhouses. There is also a community forum for the local area on Facebook, and we have made a post about Fudge on there. Most of our neighbours know our cats, as they have often seen them sleeping in our front garden during the warmer weather, which is one of their favourite pasttimes.
 

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Cooper was gone for 6 months and then returned. Gypsy was gone for 7 and returned. Tourmaline is back and just this morning after 10 months off and on, Shadow was seen. Just a bit of encouragement that Fudge may come back and act like nothing happened, like most of them do here.
 

kittychick

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You mention putting a note on a local social media group— which is great—- assuming this is a group for your neighborhood, you might also check to see if your area/city has a social media group set up dedicated to lost & found animals. We do — and it has not only a large group of followers, it also has an amazing group of dedicated followers who actively scout areas in search of missing pets. If you’re lucky enough to have one of these - definitely make use of it! Also use your own social media —-asking people to spread the word.

And (it’s late so could be repeating myself :yawn: ) but can you try to live trap him? He’ll forgive you quickly!!!
 
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