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My Cat Ran Away And Wont Come To Me: [ Reasons ]

My Cat Ran Away And Wont Come To Me: [ Reasons ]

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The tendency of cats to run away is pretty normal. While stray cats going away will not hurt us much, our home cats doing it can feel like our entire world crashing down. The reasons behind a cat running away can be many, but let us first try to understand the frequency in which the cat runs away.

You have a runaway cat. Suppose your cat runs away often for a day and then returns to you like it never went away; sorry to break this out. On the contrary, if your cat rarely goes away, the reasons listed below will help you understand this behavioral pattern better.

So without further ado, if you are wondering ‘why your cat runs away and will not come to you,’ continue reading!

Table of Contents

My Cat Ran Away And Won’t Come To Me

Cats are territorial animals and are moody to the core. They like to follow a set routine, but it is fairly impossible to tame a cat despite being a domesticated breed. An interesting fact to note is that most cats like to stay indoors as they are fond of comfort. However, on certain occasions, these cats can also move out of their houses and wander. The major reasons could be a tug of war threatening the cat’s dominance in the household or a stressful encounter.

My Cat Ran Away and Won’t Come To Me: Here’s Why

  • Reproductive Needs – The first and foremost reason a cat runs away is its need to reproduce. This need is stronger in female cats than in unneutered males and can be seen mostly in summer. According to various surveys, this desire to mate is also the reason behind numerous accidents and deaths of cats. Cats can sense their potential mating partners from across a distance and will climb over any fence to indulge in the union. If there is no suitable mating partner in the locality, the cat will go beyond the neighborhood in search of a partner and will not return for days. It is advisable to neuter a cat as it helps to control its aggressive behavior. A lot of countries even have laws that enforce mandatory neutering of cats.
  • The Hunting Instinct: The prey drive or the need to hunt is predominant in cats. History shows that cats, irrespective of their size, had to hunt to survive and fend for themselves. Their genetic lineage goes up to wild, untamed giant cats who were naturally brilliant hunters. No matter how lavish our spreads are with whiskers and milk, we cannot take out this instinct to hunt from within a cat. So do not take it to your heart; they will come back after the hunting spree gets over.
  • Territory: Cats are highly territorial and most likely to mark their territories. If you are a new cat parent, you need to understand that your cat’s immediate surroundings, where it spends most of its time, are its territory. It is his domain, and he will assert dominance there, which may lead to a conflict of interest if another animal is in the same vicinity. However, cats like to move about freely once they are comfortable and feel safe near you. The need to expand their territory makes them want to explore the surroundings and protect themselves from fellow felines. The only downside of this expansion is your cat’s interaction with other cats, which may or may not go well.
  • Stress – Like humans, cats also undergo stressful phases, which may lead to the feeling of discontentment or disinterest in their present surroundings. It is to note that cats don’t react well to changes like home renovations, introducing to another animal or family member, or even high pitch noises. Be aware if and when you are subjecting your cat to any change, as they are prone to run away.
  • Your cat is sick – Cats tend to isolate or move away from their caregivers when they are sick. It stems from the notion that they require their space away from your home or want to avoid human intervention in their healing process. But there is nothing to worry about; your cat will come back to you as soon as they get better.
  • Curiosity – Cats are intuitive and curious as creatures, so it is normal for them to want to explore beyond the four walls of your home. Whether the weather outside is pleasant or something is happening nearby – your cat will have the urge to discover it. So it is advisable to look for your cat’s safety by tracking its movement through a GPS tracker.
  • Fear of Abandonment, neglect – The fear of abandonment and neglect can be major triggers for your cat to run away. Cats usually respond in three ways: fight, flight, or freeze. The fight and the freeze are still manageable reactions, but in case of flight, your cat will run away, and there is nothing you can do about it.

How To Make Your Cat Come To You

  • Leave room for your cat to come back into your house. It is an excellent way to lure your cat back as they enjoy sneaking into places.
  • Place a bowl of their favorite treats right outside the main entrance. Cats have a high smell drive and are likely to return to grab a bite.
  • Please take out the items your cat often uses or is fond of and put them in different corners of your house, including your doorstep. The familial smell these materials emit will make your cat want to return to you.
  • If you have enough space outside your house, take a stroll and look for your cat. If that does not help, pretend to be on a call and talk in a normal pitch. Cats are said to be attracted to their primary caregiver’s voice.

Conclusion

The tendency of cats to run away is pretty normal. All you can do is wait it out or move about and look for your cat. This article has all the reasons behind your cat moving out and how you can lure them back into your house – but beware. You do not want to scare your cat by being overprotective of it. Strive to strike the correct balance.

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