Why Cats Run Away: 8 Reasons for Their Escape
Image Credit:Helen Rogers
Being in heat is the most frequent cause of a cat escaping from its home.
However, there are additional factors as well, such as a demanding environment, big changes in their living condition, illness, childbirth, and more.
Among the main causes for a cat to flee are:
1. Sexual Orientations
Your cat can feel the need to go outside due to hormonal urges if it hasn’t been fixed or spayed yet.
The average cat reaches sexual maturity at roughly six months of age, but if you reside in a region of the country that is relatively warm, it may happen at five months.
Cats are seasonal polyestrous, which means they go into heat throughout the year, and this is a significant factor. Cats can cycle as a result at any time between January and late October.
Cats’ sexual urge can make them flee.
The duration of the hot phase might range from one week to 10 days or more. Because of the aroma that males pick up from females, they typically go into heat.
For instance, if your female is spayed but your male is not, he could desire to go outdoors and mate with another female.
Before they reach sexual maturity, having your cats “fixed” can avoid many health problems and reduce the likelihood that they will become pregnant.
2. They Could Flee To Give Birth.
There is nothing wrong with giving birth indoors, however occasionally pregnant females may have claimed their territory in particular locations outside and may feel safer there than in your home.
kittens are fed by their mother.
Keeping your cat solely indoors is the best course of action if you know she is nearing the end of her period. If they have nowhere else to go, the majority of cats will find a space they like in your apartment or home.
Make sure your cat is as cozy as possible by providing plenty of fresh food and water, as well as a spotless litter box in her area.
3. Pressure
Your cat is likely to feel some stress if you’ve recently moved residences, begun taking your cat to the vet frequently, or started living with someone else.
He or she might feel better outside than inside if they are accustomed to going outside each day.
Making minor adjustments to your living arrangement can usually resolve the problem.
However, some cats will come back and alter their behavior to help them as much as possible deal with the stressful situation.
Do keep in mind that sometimes consulting an expert in animal behavior can be beneficial.
4. Hunting Adaptations
If you let your cat outside, there might not be enough things to do to keep him or her entertained.
Cats are predators by nature, therefore they require daily stimulation to keep their hunting urges active.
Image Credit:picqero
hunting cats
Even if you are exhausted by the end of the day or you spend a lot of time away from home, you should still play with your cat because it will be less bored and won’t become depressed.
Additionally, it lessens the likelihood that your pet will desire to go outside for multiple days in a row.
5. Territorialism
Males and females that are still in tact mark their territory more than those who have been neutered or spayed.
Consequently, if your cat is accustomed to going outside and notices that another cat has been marking the same territory, you must keep an eye out to protect their spaces
Therefore, most cats will go outside when they believe their lives are about to expire, and you might never ever see them again.
On the other hand, if you don’t know where your cat is, you won’t be able to assist them if they become ill or suffer an injury while they are outside.
Investing in a pet tracker can help you solve your problem if you can’t get your cat to live inside solely.
If you can’t afford one, at least have your pet fitted with an ID collar and microchipped at the vet’s office so that you can be contacted if she is lost.
6. Additional relatives
This is yet another reason why cats frequently flee, at least for a few days at a time.
Cats may attempt to find solace elsewhere if you have a visiting human friend or if your elder cat suddenly has to share her space with a new cat you’ve adopted.
An infant of 10 months pet a black and white cat.
Try to keep both indoors for the first two to three weeks after obtaining a new pet.
Additionally, they should become acquainted gradually, therefore we advise keeping the two cats apart so they may become used to each other’s odours before first meeting.
Two or three litter boxes, as well as at least one food and water dish for each cat, should be provided in a home with two cats.
Your cat may seek out attention and affection elsewhere if you recently had a baby since she may feel neglected or like she is now competing with the baby for your attention.
How far will a cat go?
Compared to female cats, male cats tend to stray a little further.
There have been instances where cats have gone remarkably far distances and returned safely.
A male may often cover and mark 150 acres of ground as his personal territory. Females mark an average of 42 acres around their bodies, so that number is substantially smaller.
Two or three litter boxes, as well as at least one food and water dish for each cat, should be provided in a home with two cats.
Your cat may seek out attention and affection elsewhere if you recently had a baby since she may feel neglected or like she is now competing with the baby for your attention.
How far will a cat go?
Compared to female cats, male cats tend to stray a little further.
There have been instances where cats have gone remarkably far distances and returned safely.
A male may often cover and mark 150 acres of ground as his personal territory. Females mark an average of 42 acres around their bodies, so that number is substantially smaller.
Due to the absence of large or tiny predators as well as less opportunities to contract diseases from other animals, including cats, indoor cats are more healthier than outdoor cats.
cat scaling a fence
However, training an older cat to adapt to this circumstance can be more difficult than training a kitten.
The best piece of advice we can give you is to microchip and ID tag any adult or senior cats you’ve adopted if they’re used to being outside.
In addition to helping to solve a portion of the issue, spaying and neutering your cat reduces the likelihood that it may engage in conflict with other animals.
Giving your cat treats, saying their name, or ringing a bell that can also be associated with food or a toy might help you train them to always return home.
Cats can be stubborn and training her in this manner takes time, but they need to understand that your house is the safest and coziest place they can return to.
You can also teach your pet to walk on a leash; some species, like the Maine Coon, are known to be quite good at this.
Making your home or apartment as cat-friendly as you can can also encourage your cat to spend less time outside. Ensure you have enough cat accessories or toys.
How to proceed if your cat disappears
If your cat has been absent for more than 24 hours, it’s totally fair to be worried, but it can happen occasionally for any of the causes we’ve already mentioned.
To allow your cat to enter your home even when you aren’t looking, try to be patient, put out some food, and leave a window open.
Image Credit:Regina
If your cat is microchipped and doesn’t return within 24 to 48 hours, call your veterinarian and ask them what you should do.
Comparatively speaking, cats with tags may be located far more quickly and easily than cats without microchips.
You should probably speak to your neighbors if everything else fails.
When all else fails, it’s usually a good idea to speak with your neighbors and put up fliers throughout your neighborhood with a picture of your cat on it so that if anyone sees her, they can call you and let you know where she is.
Strong homing instincts are present in more than half of cats who frequently venture outside, and they enable them to return home when possible.
Do keep in mind that some cats can have two distinct personalities and might reside in more than one home.
There have been instances in the past where neighbors thought they were the cat’s owners!
last thoughts
Cats may flee their homes for a variety of reasons, including territorial or sexual drives, behavioral issues, or other factors.
It is our duty to keep cats as secure and safe as we can and to keep them from being lost again.
In order to locate your cat in the event that she goes missing in the future, microchip your pet and put her with an ID collar.
