Wandering cat - is there a way to stop him going so far?

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Is it possible to cat proof the garden? Theres a kit for sale in the auction 

Here's the link 
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php?topic=10186.0;topicseen 

[Millys Mum]

Is it possible to cat proof the garden? Theres a kit for sale in the auction 

[Ela]

We normaly advise that people keep cats in for 8 weeks in the hope they will keep them in 4 - 6

[Bazsmum]

Id normally say 2 weeks, but I think the wanderer will probably need 4 

[jonese04]

Since I last wrote Freddie has been disappearing every few days, back to the same area, we have been collecting him once or twice a week.  We have just got Freddie back after he has been in the grounds at the house he keeps going to for the last week.  We are now going to try keeping him locked in doors for as long as possible.  I think it is going to be a battle of wills (he is an outdoor cat and hates being kept inside), one that I probably won't win.  How long do you think we will need to keep him in for to break this habit?  Last time he was home 5 days, but as soon as it stopped raining he was off again.  Wish us luck!

[catconvert]

There seem to be a lot of cats out there that 'move homes' entirely off their own bat. I'm beginning to wonder if that is true, and some cats are just wanderers like you said Jonese04, in your case Freddie has found a lovely home but apparently the grass is still greener across the way! Does that mean that  a one time 'stray' is quite likely to move on when the mood strikes, sort of a feline version of the Littlest Hobo?

So that would mean that strays not neccessarily ones from bad homes - and if so, how come the original owners never seem to find them again, do people just accept that is how cats are?  When I used to have cats and dogs years ago, the cats never went far, BUT perhaps I just didn't have the wandering type - unlike NOW!

[jonese04]

Really not sure what attracts Freddie to the other house.  They do not feed him and when they do get hold of him shut him in their laundry room until we can pick him up, so I don't understand why that would attract him there.  It may be the huge pond and ducks outside their house or the fact that their house is surrounded by fields, so lots of rabbits and mice to chase.  Unfortunately he has gone over there again and now is becoming wise to them so isn't easy for them to catch.  Hopefully we will get him home in the next day or two, it would be even better if he found his own way home!  I think he may just be a wanderer.  Afterall we originally ended up with him because he followed a family member home.

[Hippykitty]

Jones04, I think that a good, but difficult, way of dealing with this would be to shut all your cats in, night and day, for a minimum of two weeks, perhaps longer. This would break Freddie's habit of 'visiting' and bond him more closely to your house as his main zone.

Another suggestion, but maybe more dangerous, is to provide his 'other home' with water pistols, and ask them to 'shoot' him if he goes near their house. The main danger with this is that you risk him then running off somewhere else, maybe further afield, where he may be in more danger.

If he were my cat, he and the others would be grounded with litter trays and comfy beds, for about a month.

[catconvert]

Milly's mum,
I think the cat read your post before me, she has now been indoors 24 hours and counting, if put firmly out of one door, she dashes in the other, (and to think I used to believe it was unfair to keep cats indoors all the time!) To say that this is inconvenient in a houseful of dogs, is putting it mildly!
She is dreadful around cars, I cannot imagine how she survived as a stray. She won't get out of the way of an oncoming car, and if you keep driving, she just rolls over in front of the car! Luckily there is a long farm drive here, but she has nearly been run over on that several times, as people expect her to move!
She is very used to having a car around too, she will jump in if the door is open and stay there even if you start driving around! Very Odd cat!
Like the original poster was saying about her cat, I have a feeling this one just wandered too far one day  and stayed put where she finished up!

[Millys Mum]

Catconvert, although traffic is heavier by day, cats are paying more attention as theres less prey around to be watching, drivers also have a better chance of seeing the cat. Nightime drivers are more likely to speed and the headlights makes the cats pupils dialate effectively blinding them, much like a rabbit freezing in the road. Theres also lots of activity in the hedges along the roads, this attracts cats.
One morning i witnessed a lovely black and white cat launching himself in and out of a hedge by a road after a sparrow, narrowly missed by a car. A few weeks later his body was removed from the road 

[Rosella moggy]

Hi Jones04.  What a difficult one. All 3 of mine are allowed indoor/outdoor access 24/7 apart from firework season when we put up with usual nonsense from the younger 2 playing during the night (1 of whom is also called Freddie).

I thought from your initial posts that Freddie may get chased out of his usual area but, if he keeps ending up at the same house, something is certainly attracting him there.  Could just be that he likes the people and feels at home there (especially as they keep him in for you until you can collect). I imagine that they probably give him food when he is with them. I wouldn't feel embarrassed about them phoning you as I imagine they feel quite complimented that he goes all that way to see them.  Thing is you need to knock this on the head due to the distance involved and need them to tell them not to feed, stroke, cuddle him etc

Apart from keeping him in for 4 weeks solid in an effort to break the routine, I don't know what to suggest. I realise that would be a pain for all involved esp as you have other cats.  I do wish you well as it must be a big worry.

I don't think you mentioned whether he is microchipped?

[catconvert]

Interesting reading, the pros and cons of whether they are safer out by night or day. I have to admit if I was in an urban area, I would probably be too worried to let a cat out of it's own garden at all! 
In a rural area , the biggest threat is traffic, which is heavier by day and in the evenings, getting shot, again evening, and during the day things like farm dogs and the hunt - so I am trying to keep mine in for the evenings, especially because of the fireworks at present, and during the day if there is a lot going on here. I have been letting her out last thing at night! Considering she was used to being out 24/7 (as a stray) I was feeling mean, but can't get used to the idea that I am now responsible for her  - yet don't know where she is!  What sort of timetable do other people's cats have in rural areas??

[Stuart]

hmmmm, have you asked the people at the House are they giving Him Food ??? because
if he's going to the same house all the time!! Something is attracting Him to Go there !!
do the people at the House have Cat's ??     No, I Personaly think they are feeding Him,
causing him to wander !! I had a similar experiance years ago with BK, where this old lady
was feeding her, the outcome of that was not good 

[jonese04]

Freddie wakes up in the morning anytime between 3 and 5am.  We end up having to shut him in the conservatory otherwise he will keep everyone else awake and torment the other cats.  He then just curls up and goes back to sleep until we get up at 7am. 

I don't think the other house feed him.  They just get him and keep him in their laundry room until we finish work and  can pick him up.  I just feel like we are causing an inconvenience to them and they will soon get fed up with it.  I am just thankful that they take the time to call, but it is getting a little embarrassing going to pick him up from there every few days.   Hopefully it is just a phase.  I keep hoping that the change in the weather will make him stay closer to home!  Sounds like we will just have to live with it for now....

[Millys Mum]

Well done  Hows Freddie taking it?

Does the other house provide food? You could get them to repel him but at least while hes going there he is safe and you know where he is. Is a risk if they were to shoo away he would go further afield.

[jonese04]

OK, we have been locking Freddie in at night for the last few weeks.  However, he still keeps wandering off across the fields about 1-1.5miles to another house (always the same one), during the day.  This happens about once every 4-5 days.  They phone us and we go and pick him up and take him home.  Is there anyway we can stop him doing this or is this just something we are going to have to live with? The garden is too large to fully enclose so that is not an option.

I was hoping that as he got a bit older he would stay at home more. Any comments welcomed

[Beccles]

Hiya

Sorry to sound like a bit of a hard nut on this issue but at this time of year you must keep your cats in at night if you live in an urban area. Between bonfires, fireworks, Halloween 'pranks' and the like, there's a huge risk to cats out after dark - not to mention that as sunset gets earlier and earlier the time when they're most vulnerable to being hit by a car gets longer and longer.

As you've rightly predicted, you're going to have a few sleepless nights. Sorry... but I do feel very very strongly that you're going to need to bite the bullet. Lock the catflaps after everyone's had their tea, put some comfy beds in the kitchen, put a radio on low, shut the door (and as many others between you and the cats as you can) and retire. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

Your other option to try and keep your puds safe is to see if it'd be possible to catproof your garden so that they can't go any further. Sometimes possible, sometimes tricky, sometimes a bit pricey but definitely doesn't involve a night or three of yowling.

Good luck....

Becca

[sheryl]

We took Charlie in as a stray and he used to keep us awake nearly all night wanting to get out but it was a case of "Youll give in before us" and it worked eventually and now he is more than happy to cosy up and stay in at night.  You may just have to persevere and as Stu says - earplugs will help.

[Millys Mum]

I have other cats too, females so they don't go far, so locking the cat flap at night is not really an option

I think the best way to try and break the habit is have them all in at night. Create several sleeping places and leve some toys out and let them get use to it. Simon has the most annoying squeal that drives you nuts, when he learnt we didnt reposnd to it he shut up and is now happy to be in at night. Having a routine is good for cats as they are that type of animal, the days activities are fitted around essential cat naps.

Is he microchipped? Really important to have that done and keep the contact details up to date.

I wouldnt rely on people to notice him and call, if they dont see him he could go further and end up on a road

[Stuart]

Hamish was an outdoor cat, and when I took him in it was too dangerous to let Him outside(busy road)
Hamish Was VERY Vocal trying to get out, and would wake me up in the early hours
He destroyed my carpet at the front door and I used to see Him Hanging on the door panel's and Handle
looking through the keyhole

Tip's, I Put laminated flooring at Doorway,it save's carpet's
and invest in some earplug's. I'm not joking !! they worked a Treat  

[jonese04]

We have had hm since he was ~ 6 month old.  A relative found him wandering the streets and we couldn't find out he he belonged to so we kept him.  We love him to bits, but he doesn't like much affection, not a lap cat atall.  I have other cats too, females so they don't go far, so locking the cat flap at night is not really an option.  He doesn't really have a set routine, mainly he is out an about during the day and comes home at 9pm, then to bed, but some days he just seems to ge lost, I don't think he intends to be out for days.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I think this is a tough one.

I have four cats who can go out at night if they wish and they do pop in and out but dont stay out for long, especialy as the nights are getting colder.

I assume you have a cat flap so he can get back in on his own? Does it have a lock and what type? How long have you had him?

I do not think its a good idea for your cat........whats his name..............to be wandering about like this and he needs to be inside and feel wanted at night.

Yes he may make a noise but its a question of education on both sides and finding a compromise so that he is safe.

It makes me wonder, no offence intended, if when he was younger he was told to go out cos he was keeping everyone awake and this is therfore learned behavior.

He needs to relearn his behaviour and feel like its Ok to be inside to sleep at night cos his luck will run out.

[jonese04]

Hello.  Since August our youngest cat, Freddie a 2.5yr old male cat keeps wandering off.  Sometimes he is gone for 1-2 days then returns home, hungry and very tired.  He is then as good as gold for a week or two and then temporarily disappears again.  Four times since August he has wandered off a bit too far and got himself lost.  Thankfully kind people have seen him and called us to enquire whether he is missing.  We go and collect him, and the cycle starts again.....

Is there anyway we can stop him from wandering so much?  We can't keep him shut in at night because he stops everyone from sleeping.   Or do we just have to rely on people phoning us?  I worry that one day his luck will run out.   He was neutered when he was 6 months old.  Our house is near fields and we believe he spends most of his time in them.  We think he must chase something, then go a bit too far, realises he is lost then keeps on walking until he finds someone to latch onto.  Any advice, or is this just his nature?