My Cat Got Out

[Christina_dd]

My cat got out and we found her an hour later at a preschool across the street. She's usually a very loving cat but ever since she got out she's been acting real hysterical and she even bit my husband.... What should I do? We locked her in her room by herself with food, water, and litter of course, to try and calm her down... I really love this cat, she's my little girl... What should I do?

[andy hughes]

It sounds like she's had a nasty experience while she was out - maybe someone has frightened or hurt her. She will forget this experience in time, you will need to be patient with her. Let her in a room with you as much as possible, but leave her alone for a few days. then try stroking her for a few seconds as you walk past her, and gradually extend this to petting her as you used to. Avoid trying to pick her up until she has come to you and sat with you, or on your lap. It will take time, but with love and patience, you can get her over her nasty surprise in the bad wild world.

[natalie_1982]

Can I just ask why your cat isn't allowed out anyway?

 

Maybe she has turned nasty cos she's realised what she's missing and wants to go out and play!

[jills]

our two Maine ***** are house cats too.  When we bought them we lived in a flat on a  very busy road, and so they only ever got out when we were with them, in the (safe) walled garden.  If one of them had been killed on the road, I'd never have forgiven myself.  We've since moved to a house with a garden and they still get access to it when we are around to keep an eye on them but don't get out alone, especially not at night. There are lots of pigeon lofts around here and the owners don't take too kindly to cats sniffing around.  I'm not sure what your problem is with house cats natalie,  ours get tonnes of excercise as they play chase together all around the house, and we have loads of cat toys so we can play hunting and catching games with them, or let them play thenselves.  I'm positive they are happpy cats, and would far rather keep them indoors and safe, than run the risk of anything happening to them - just look at what happened to teh cat in question.  Christina....any's advice (as ever) is splendid.  I'm sure she'll be back to her old self with tlc, time and patience from you all.

[jills]

blanked out word, rhymes with spoon, but take off the sp, replace it with c.  Type of large, hairy pedigree cat. 

[natalie_1982]

I haven't got a problem with house cats! 

Mine, like yours jills, was a house cat until I moved from a 1st floor flat into a house with a garden away from a road. 

I was joking about seeing what she's missing.  I thought maybe if there wasn't a danger to her going out then she may be allowed out for a little while from time to time so she gets her bearings and would not get lost if she 'escapes' again.

[Christina_dd]

Thanx you guys for your answers... My cat, well she's calm now but were still kinda freaked out by her... I know she'll probably be the same as she was before in a matter of time... It hasnt even been 24 hours yet and her vet estimated it would take 2+ days for her to calm down.

And, to answers Natalie_1982's question... The reason why we dont let her out of the house it to try and prevent a traumatizing experience like this. And, she does have alot of space here to play and run around. I dont believe cats should be outside because it's a dangerous world out there and it's not designed for cats.

And, to answer In A PIckel's question her appointment to get spayed was supposed to be for next week... Hopefully we can still take her, I'm still kinda iffy on picking her up.

[natalie_1982]

The world wasn't designed for cats?   You're right it is a dangerous world out there and it isn't designed for old people either but I don't lock my granny in the house.

 

I think In A Pickle's got a good point, I'm sure once she (the cat, not In A Pickle) has been spayed she will calm down.  My cat, although he can now go out when he likes, tended to stay in far more after he'd 'been done'.  He now literally goes out to toilet, or when it's warmer will chase butterflies, flies, etc but doesn't seem interested in going out half as much anymore.

 

I didn't once say that she didn't have alot of space in the house I was merely asking why she was kept in, I thought maybe there was a lot of traffic about that would harm her if she left the back/ front garden, hence the reason I said "allowed out for a little while from time to time".  This would then get her a little fresh air and a play in the grass and you wouldn't be worried about her being hit by a car or picked by a vulture if you were there with her.

[jills]

Natalie...sorry for any offence caused, I was too touchy there.  Apologies to you. :-)

Christina....you're right, it hasn't been long and it will take time, just take it slowly with picking her up..maybe even change the appt from next week, as it may be too soon for her to go through another traumatizing experience eg waking up from anaestheic, not being in familiar surroundings etc.  Even our entirely chilled out moggie wasn't too nice to the vet nurse after his anaesthetic and she asked me to go into the holding room and get him out of the cage for her! of course, he was purring and kneading happily almost as soon as I picked him up...much to her amazement as seconds earlier he'd been growling and swiping at her big time!

Long term...maybe you cold let your cat out for some supervised play.  ours enjoy it...even just the odd 15 mins when I'm hanging out washing, playing with my son, weeding etc.  They're big softies, and don't much like rain or wind, so living in Scotland, they often refuse the chance to go out due to inclement weather!

[topman9thnov]

shoot bleedin thing

[Bottom]

Christina,How old is your cat? Like you my cat has never been out because we lived in a  flat, now we live in a house and I have only let Dusty out Twice the first time he run off in other peoples gardens my partner had to chase him to get him back I was so sarced!!

Dusty is a very naughty cat and bites, jumps up my legs if his been told off, but very loving too, But he was ill treated by young children as a kitten by previous owners thats why he bites etc, I think some one has hurt or sarced your cat.

[Christina_dd]

to natalie_1982 - you do whatever you want with your cat, thats your business... I'm not in this thing to argue with anybody... I came here to get advice about what should i do to calm her down...all i know is that my beliefs are my beliefs and theyre gonna stay that way.... and she is allowed out of the house, at my mother in laws because she doesnt have to share a yard like we do. we live in a newly developed gated community and it's not safe with other peoples dogs running around and also the wild animals.
oh and the world is designed for old people as well as for ALL people... people dont shoot old people with beebee's and old people dont jump into people's yards where dogs might be, and old people don't block traffic by running into it.

and to Bottom - she's gonna be a year old on March 17... She was abused as a kitten also... We got her from the pound at 8 weeks... I think she was abused by kids because her whiskers were cut and she's scared of kids and only plays with adults.. Were not really sure.. and we do think she was probably scared by a car or possum (because we have alot of those here) Right now she's acting normal, it's like nothing ever happened... Her vet finally called, and she said that she probably blanked out from being so shocked thats why she couldnt remember us... But, she's all better now... Thanks for your response...

and to topman, how about i shoot your mom.. i really don't need this kinda sarcasm. i came here to get a simple answer to a simple question. and it's stupid how someone with no life like you can just come on here and think its so damn hilarious... well anyone else can write whatever they want to this question... i'm not checking it no more.. i got all the answers i needed... thanks to the people who gave serious answers, i really appreciate your help...

[natalie_1982]

Christ almighty, I know you're not reading the answers anymore but for the sake of other answerbanker's - I did not intend to come across as argumentative and I apologise if I did.

 

Your cat is probably very happy indoors, I do not dispute that whatsoever, I was merely suggesting that you could watch her in a garden for a few minutes at a time.

 

In my defence - how was I supposed to know that she's allowed out at your mother in law's, or that she was abused as a kitten?  If you'd been a little clearer I might have been able to give better advice.

 

You mean the old people where you live don't play chicken in the traffic of an evening?  Geeez, I'd better get Grampy a new leash :o) 

(that was of course a joke and I don't mean to offend anyone again!)