worrying behaviour

my cat dissapeared about three weeks ago and then suddenly reappeared two days ago.he was incredibly thin and and very clingy to me.i gave him food and he ate ravenously and then went to his bed and slept.since then he eats a lot and drinks a lot but when i take him into garden,he does not do his toilet,just stands by me.as soon as i walk back into house he runs in also.i cannot find any evidence of injury but it is starting to worry me.any help please.

Is your kitty neutered?  It's unusual for a kitty that has been neutered to disappear for that long.  If he is neutered than he was either lost or got trapped somewhere and he is scared of being outside now.

I am so glad you got him back! He has obviously been through a traumatic experience and sees safety only in being with you. From a cat's point of view HE didn't get lost - you did. All his familiar world disappeared. So I would just be very patient with him. Is he using a box inside? he must be going somewhere. Maybe give him a similar box outside and take him to it until he gets used to it, then you can remove it again. Or just let him be an inside cat - one of mine refuses to go out since he vanished for three days five years ago and came back injured and traumatised. He is now very happy inside.

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