Posted on 07/22/2013 9:06:25 PM PDT by cradle of freedom
Could someone help me with this mystery. Our cat slipped out of the house on the night of June 21. We realized that she had not be feeling well since she had not been eating for a couple of days.
She was an indoor cat who slipped out when my husband left the basement door propped open as he was bringing something out of the basement. She slipped out when he wasn't looking.
She was 12 years old so it would not be unusual that she would go away to die. There are woods across the street and we believe that she went there. I hoped that somehow she didn't die but would return home again. This is when it gets a little unusual--last week on July 15--last Monday--I was sleeping lightly when I heard meowing at 2:30 in the morning. I jumped out of bed and ran to the open window calling her name, but I did not hear any response.
There were three meows, it sounded like the way she meowed but of course I cannot be sure but I do not think that I ever heard a cat meowing outside. Sometimes cats walk through our yard but I don't think that I have ever heard one meow. I have been wondering if she could have lived for three weeks and was meowing to say goodbye.
There is a brook in the woods not far from the street so she would have had plenty of water to drink for three weeks but do you think it was possible that she lived for three weeks without eating?
I actually had a 12 year old cat who disappeared for about the same amount of time when we moved to a new house. It turns out she was hiding in the neighbor’s garage, but I don’t think they were feeding her. She came back and had lost a lot of weight, but she didn’t die. I’d put out some food, just in case she’s still around.
I’d add she’s probably utterly freaked out. If there are any out-buildings around the house, I’d be checking them often.
She probably caught mice or other small animals.
Cats revert to wild activity very easily.
Personally, I think its very possible to be your cat still. 12 years isn't that old for a cat. And unless the sickness was something terrible, its possible the cat was just under the weather for some days.
I hope this didn’t happen to your cat: there was a story about some people who couldn’t find their lost cat for months, then finally located her via very weak meows, and found her in a closed wooden bench or cabinet. By then the cat was near death, was gradually nursed back to health, but had suffered severe brain damage through malnutrition and dehydration, and was never the same. Read the poem “The Retired Cat” by William Cowper (kitty finds a comfy dresser drawer in which to take a nap, but the dresser drawer is closed shut and kitty is in trouble). I hope your cat is outside, where her chances of survival are better (other people can leave out food).
They eat bugs, lizards, and walnuts. Not kidding.
They go wild and can survive.
Cat advice.
Maybe you can try to shake a cup of foot to entice kitty. That has worked for us in the past.
I got my cat back with a trap from a rental place. Put food in it, went to bed, got up in the morning, and there he was, looking really stupid, but safe.
” it was possible that she lived for three weeks without eating?”
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Cats eat most anything from bugs to rodents.
They do not have to have Meow Mix, or tuna to live.
I have several grown cats and 4 kittens.
Could she be in heat?
Perhaps she found enough food and water to survive. She might have been meowing to say "How do I get back in the house?" Do you have a dog/cat door? Have you been leaving food and water outside for her?
If your cat has a food it craved, try that.
Our first family cat was nuts for tuna. We’d use an electric can opener for tinned tuna. The sound of the opener’s motor would bring her running from anywhere in the house.
When she was no where to be found and it was late at night, I could get her in the house by taking the can opener out on my deck and just running the motor.
Of course, I’d give her a tuna treat when she came running in ! (smarter than the average cat - just).
Good luck with you cat.
I recently had to put my cat down because of renal failure and what the vet said was probably liver cancer. She was 24 years old and had a very good life of bossing me around.
12 is not that old for some cats but probably about average for some breeds. Cats can definitely live for more than 3 days without food.
When you call for your cat, use a calm voice. They will respond better than if you use a loud shout. This is from our own experience locating an inside cat that went outside.
We have an indoor cat that got out. I read that they don’t go far. And 2 days
later I found her under the enclosed back steps. She found a thin space and got in. I agree— put some food out, and stay by an open door calling her/him -— if it means all night. Cats would stay hidden during the day if they are unused to being outside. Please keep us posted.
I’m sure your cat found something to eat out there, even a long time house cat could catch a little mouse or something.
That is a sad story, I hope she still comes back.
I don’t know what part of the country you’re in, but coyotes eat cats (and small dogs) all the time. Hopefully not yours, but if they’re around it’s a possibility.
Some great advice on this thread. Your kitty could be lured back with favorite treats.
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