Why Do Cats Run Away – 12 Reasons!

All cat parents have come close to experiencing a coronary at least once in their lives, thanks to their furball’s cut and run habits. Felines are masters in the art of hiding. But every so often, they can also take off to explore the great outdoors – leaving their owners anxious and scared. So, why do cats run away?

Cats will often run away due to stressful situations or to survey their environment. Cats also run away due to boredom and the introduction of new pets and family members. Cats are also known to disappear during their reproductive cycle or if they’ve found another caring host nearby. 

There are several other reasons why your cat may fly the coop. Luckily for you, we’ll talk about each cause in detail, along with tips for what you can do to make your furball return back to your loving arms. Stick with us as we break down the free and loose side of your cat’s personality and how you can help change it. 

Reasons Why Cats Run Away

There’s a misconception among the cat community that only outdoor felines have the instinct of running away. Indoor cats can be just as prone to making a run for it if they find the opportunity. It’s also not uncommon for cat owners to blame themselves for their pet running away. 

The truth is, cats are drawn to situations that offer excitement and stimulation. And there’s little that’s more exciting to your kitty cat than running after all the little critters outside. That’s also why cats love staring out windows. 

Nonetheless, if you’re looking to stop your feline’s exploring tendencies because you’re worried about its well-being – you must first understand what drives it to run away. Here are some of the usual culprits behind your feline running off. 

Exploring The Home Territory

Cats have territorial instincts. Your kitty’s bigger counterparts in the wild have home ranges that they fiercely protect against any intruders. 

While your home cat won’t go around picking fights with every creature that comes close to what it considers its territory, another cat is a different story altogether. 

Plus, if you live in a neighborhood where there are plenty of other feline pets, it can cause their territories to overlap – creating a problem. In such situations, it’s not uncommon for felines to challenge each other and try and resolve the dispute through aggression. 

So, if you wake up to find your cat missing right after you’ve noticed a new feline in your area – your pet may have gone to settle its business. 

Stress At Home

Cats are creatures of habit and don’t like their routine disturbed. The slightest change in home dynamics can have your pet acting out. The introduction of a new family member or pet may seem like no big deal to you, but it ranks pretty high on the stress scale for your fuzzball. 

Such changes can make your feline feel neglected or sidetracked and prompt your pet to show displeasure by running away. There can also be other signs of your feline’s dissatisfaction, such as eliminating outside the litterbox, sudden decrease or increase in appetite, and withdrawing from human contact. 

The Reproductive Cycle

Have you heard of the term ‘caterwauling?’ If yes, then we’re sure you’re aware on some level how cats can behave when they’re entering their reproductive cycle. When your feline enters its estrus or heat cycle, it’s ready to breed. 

During this period, your kitty will be more receptive to male company and exhibit behaviors like yowling for long periods, rubbing against objects, or kneading her hind feet. Once the estrous cycle begins, a feline can keep searching for male interaction anywhere from 2 to 20 days. 

Male cats in heat will likely show more aggressive tendencies and mark their territories with urine (with pheromones) to attract females. The type of sexual marking doesn’t just take place outside the house. 

Male cats can end up marking objects like walls or furniture, and worse, the odor of this type of urine is tough to get rid of. 

That means if your feline is spayed or neutered (depending on its sex) can take to going outdoors once the heating cycle begins to look for mates. 

That’s one big reason why veterinarians recommend neutering or spaying your cat before it experiences its first heat. Feline sexual behavior is easier to avoid if they’ve never been through the reproductive process, to begin with. 

Another reason cats can run off (linked to the reproductive cycle) is when they get pregnant and are about to give birth. 

A cat’s nesting instinct drives it to seek somewhere safe and hidden to give birth to her litter so that both mother and kittens remain protected when they’re most vulnerable. 

Another Source Of Care And Nourishment

Felines enjoy universal popularity. That means there are high chances that your pet might receive love and affection from other hosts, apart from yourself. 

If your pet has outdoor access and loves to go exploring around the neighborhood, the reason behind your pet’s prolonged absence may be that it’s managed to find someone else to care for it. 

That doesn’t mean your care routine is lacking. Felines do attach deep bonds with their owners, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to pass on the opportunity to a snack – especially if it’s something they love eating. 

It’s always best to have your feline wear a collar with its name and your contact details to ensure anyone looking after it knows it’s someone’s pet and how to get in touch with you to inform you of your pet’s whereabouts. 

To Hunt And Chase Prey

All cats have an inherent hunting instinct. Even if your furbaby has lived the most luxurious life since birth with dinner presented on a silver platter or kitty bowl – that doesn’t take away from the fact that felines are wired by nature to be predators. 

What’s more, hunting for a cat is more than just a search for sustenance. It’s about prowling in the grass, pouncing on unsuspecting critters, and chasing prey around. In other words, felines enjoy hunting because of the stimulation it offers. 

Even the tamest of house cats have a love of hunting. It’s why kittens love chasing after yarn balls and why your cat still loves chasing after its remote control mouse toy. 

Additionally, suppose you’ve been somewhat busy with real-life responsibilities lately. In that case, your kitty cat may have taken to spending time outdoors chasing after mice and anything else it can find to keep itself busy. 

Moving To A New Location

If you’ve moved homes recently, your cat may run away from time to time because it’s either exploring its new territory or because it’s having difficulties adjusting to the new location. 

As we stated earlier, cats have territorial instincts. That means when you shift from one place to another, you’re taking your feline away from more than just what’s familiar. 

You’re also taking your cat away from a range that it considers it’s own. When that happens, your furbaby is less than happy with the change and can begin to act out. 

Conversely, if your pet has adjusted to your shifting homes, it may be venturing out to investigate its new surroundings. This includes searching out other dominating cats in the neighborhood or defending the territory that your pet has claimed. 

Not Used To Human Company

We love it when feline enthusiasts adopt their newest family member from a shelter and offer it a new lease on life. As commendable as adoption is, it isn’t like raising a cat since kittenhood. 

Most shelter cats have abandoned pets, and sometimes, they’ve had to suffer abusive behavior from their owners. That makes them reluctant to trust other owners and will require time before they adjust to your household. 

If your pet cat is an adoptee and has a history of making getaways, it’s likely your pet is still in its adjusting period. Once your furbaby is used to your love and care and learns to trust your – it’s running away habits will decrease with time. 

Try and tempt your pet into trusting you by gently stroking or grooming your cat when it allows you to. 

It’s best not to force your kitty-cat to accept affection. Another way to worm your way into your kitty’s heart is to offer its favorite treats and plenty of toys to play with. 

For Fun And Games

Did you know that giving your kitten toys that will teach predatory behavior is essential on many levels? For one, kittens need to develop basic feline skills to defend themselves should they ever need to. 

Secondly, playtime is a crucial part of your feline pet’s care routine because it promotes mental and physical well-being. And, finally, playing games with your kitty cat will help your pet build a deeper and more meaningful bond with you.

Sometimes, however, cat owners can find themselves struggling to divide time between playtime with their pets and other responsibilities. If that’s the case with you, your feline may have taken to searching for fun and games outside the house to keep its mind and body sharp. 

Ploy To Seek Attention

Felines are not lacking in the personality department, and each cat has its quirks. That’s why while some cats deal with neglect by running away, others might use the tactic to gain your attention. 

Plus, if your kitty understands that its absence makes you seek it – there’s all the more reason for staying away. 

Felines can turn to attention-seeking ploys for different reasons. More often than not, if you’re your pet’s primary caregiver and have been neglecting your duties, your pet may be staying away to remind you of your mistake. 

Any easy way to figure out whether your cat running away is an attention-seeking tactic is to increase the TLC you show your pet for the next few days. If you notice your furbaby is back to sticking at home like it used to, you can be sure the problem has been resolved. 

Depression

Despite their self-sufficient behavior, cats can be pretty sensitive. Any change in their daily routine can make them feel anxious and uncomfortable. If you don’t address the problem promptly, it can also lead to depression and other behavioral concerns. 

Behavior-wise, one of the most significant indicators of something being off with your cat is acting withdrawn, hiding, or staying away from home more often. 

Other symptoms of depression include:

● Excessive sleeping or having difficulties in falling asleep

● Sudden increase or decrease in appetite

● Lack of interest in grooming habits 

● Anxious body language like ears laid back or tail tucked between legs

● Peeing or pooping in places other than the litter box

If your cat is displaying one or more of the symptoms listed above, it may be suffering from a bout of depression. To address the problem adequately, you’ll have to identify the source of discontent. 

For example, think back to any new changes right before your pet started exhibiting these signs. It’s also best to have your pet checked out by the vet to ensure there aren’t any health concerns behind the sudden change in its behavior. 

Age and Forgetfulness

Like all living creatures, felines are also prone to age-related physiological changes. If your senior cat has recently started straying away from home more than usual, it can be because your pet has trouble finding its way back to the house. 

Issues like feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) can cause cats to suffer from memory problems, along with a decline in other cognitive processes like learning or attention. 

CDS can also be the result of other age-related illnesses like hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus and includes symptoms like:

● Disorientation (eliminating in different places because they can’t remember the location of the litter box)

● Meowing at night or other types of vocalizations

● Changes in sleep patterns

● Decreased responsiveness

● Increase in irritable behavior

● Attention-seeking behavior

● Decreased appetite

● Decreased activity levels

● Forgetting meal times

If you suspect your senior cat is suffering from CDS, have it checked out by the vet asap. While CDS can’t be cured, it can be managed successfully to ensure your pet’s quality of life isn’t affecting too significantly. 

Injury or Illness

Cats can exhibit clingy behavior at times, but most of the time, your ill or injured cat will prefer to be on its own until it feels better. That’s why felines that are feeling under the weather for any reason will take to running away from home to avoid human company and find solace. 

Injuries, by their nature, are easier to identify than illnesses because there are generally physical symptoms involved. If you notice your pet limping, yowling when it moves, or licking one spot on its body excessively – then it’s highly likely there’s an injury involved. 

On the other hand, symptoms of sickness will largely depend on the nature of the disease. However, two recurring symptoms in almost all feline illnesses is a decrease in appetite or activity. 

If you have the slightest suspicion that your pet has taken to staying away due to any health concerns, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian.

Do Cats Come Back After They Run Away

Cats do return home after running away, especially if your cat’s the kind to spend quite a bit of time outdoors. There can be various reasons for your feline straying away from home, like hunting critters, exploring its territory, or hanging out with another human host. 

However, if your pet hasn’t returned after one to two days, it’s best to venture out looking for it. It can be that your pet is stuck somewhere (like a tree) or has forgotten where it lives (in the case of a senior cat). 

You can try posting about your missing cat on social platforms and provide your contact details. Or post flyers around the neighborhood to alert the homeowners nearby. 

Another pro tip to avoid such situations altogether is to have your cat microchipped and fit their collar with a GPS tracker. 

That way, if your pet winds up at a shelter to a veterinary clinic, they’ll be able to identify your pet. The GPS tracker will help you locate your pet instantly without having to rely on outside sources. 

How Long Do Cats Usually Go Missing For

Unfortunately, there’s no set time limit for how long cats usually go missing. Some cats return home after staying away for a few hours, while others can take up to a day. 

However, if your feline has been missing for over two days, it’s best not to wait for it to return and take measures to find it. That’s because cats can’t survive more than three days without water, and waiting longer than two days can be dangerous in terms of your pet’s health. 

How Do You Attract A Cat Back Home

The best way to lure your cat back home is to rely on one of its strongest senses to guide the way. Cats have more than 200 million odor sensors in their noses. As a result, they have an insane sense of smell; usually around 14 times better than humans. 

That’s why setting up a food bowl with canned food and other types of strong-smelling food like fish outside your house can help you attract your cat home. It would be best if you also kept its dirty litter and bedding outside to increase your pet’s chances of being able to pick up its scent and follow it back.