New cat gone AWOL :-(

KiKi

Go out and call for him. Do you have cat biscuits in a box that you can shake and listen for his miaowing? Cats respond well to voice.

Was he wearing a collar? Do you have a catflap?

Perhaps 18 days was too soon, but don't beat yourself up. And don't forget - cats like to be out in the dark, and they do like to explore at night. If he's not back in the morning, put notes through ALL your neighbours doors, without delay. Knock on them if needs be. When he comes back, keep him in for longer until you can supervise him in the garden for a while and introduce him that way!

Mine can go for HOURS without eating (literally - 14, 15 hours!). He may have gone to explore, fallen asleep, then gone for another explore. And now it's night it's all the more exciting!

In the meantime, if you're staying up for a bit, go out and call every 15 mins. Shake the biscuit box. Pop round to your neighbours and ask to look in their garden quickly before it gets too late. If you have a torch, look in your garden in case he's hiding under a bush or something.

What's his name? I shall pray for him to come home quickly - that's what I do with mine! The number of bargains I've made with God...!

KiKi

LittleLauz

I'll try again before work tomorrow, I've been out again just now but it's pitch black and I can't see anything and he's not
coming when I call or shake his biscuits.

peachyprice

Once it's all gone quiet outside tonight walk around the streets nearby with a box of biscuits and call him. It's much easier to hear even the tiniest miaow late at night when it's quiet.

LittleLauz

thanks, His names oscar, I'll keep going out and calling for him before I go to bed.

purplerose

Aww, I hope Oscar comes home soon.

kjmtidea

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Both of my cats have gone missing before, one for 24 hours and the other for a week. I honestly thought we would never see him again when he walked through the door looking a complete mess, he was fine though.

Cats are very clever, hopefully he will find his way back.

patchwork_cat

18 days is fine to let him out, I usually think about 3 weeks, so not far off that. Shake his biscuits and call him.

When we moved our cat went missing for 3 days, we felt sure we had lost her, but she came back safe and sound and thinner.

McKneff

He's probably having a whale of a time with the ladies, he'll be home, when he does please dont let this put you off letting him out again, its natural for cats to roam and they are natural hunters, he wont go hungry.

And dont be daft, of course its not your fault. He'll be back, large as life, when he is ready.

We have a cat, we dont own her ha ha, she treats us like her servants, wowls at the door to let her in to the conservatory, goes straight through, tail up, nose up, to the kitchen door and waits there for us to let her in that door, pompous little madam.

Dont forget to let us know

Apricot

Put something smelly by your door for him to eat (tuna?) My cat went missing a few years ago so I know the stress you are feeling. He is more likely to come back later on when there are not many people about, try calling as late as possible.

meeps

a tip I heard was to scatter your hoover bag contents in the garden, and perhaps a couple of items of clothes that smell of you..