Lost cat ... a few ?'s

[newcat19]

well I let my cat outside for the first time in awhile (winter here),
although I let her out the front door which usually I let her out the back.

The usually spot she comes home is under the fence in my backyard &
she will wait by the back door to be let in. At the moment that spot is covered in snow. I'm in the process of shoving a pathway there so she can get back

I did go out to find her last night & saw her. My problem is that whenever I
try to grab her outside she runs.

My ? is why does she run from me when she sees me outside. Does she not
recognize me outside?
Also she's been gone about 16 hrs, at what point do I have to start worrying.
Its about 0 degrees C here, so she's probably not too bothered by the cold.

I'm hoping when I get her pathway dug up she will return tonight or tommorrow morning.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

 

[howtoholdacat]

I"m so sorry you can't get your kitty back. They do act differently around us when they're outside. My crew are indoors but we take trips to the backyard together. They even will act as though they don't recognize my husband when they see him through the window when he gets home from work. I'm sure some with outside cats will tell you that it's not unusual for them to stay away longer when it's their first trip out in a while. I think you're right about the temperature. Cats often go under houses when outside and it's much warmer under the house than it is in the yard. They're good at keeping warm and it sounds like she's no stranger to going out so I think you're ok there. I hope she comes back inside soon. I don't think you have to panic yet!

 

[newcat19]

she came back

amazing really, I was concerned cause usually I let her out the back
& she comes home through the back. This time I let her out the front,
and the way home through the back was blocked, even after I cleared a
path its still super muddy with a big puddle which I can't imagine alot of cats
would go through water & mud.

But I was on the phone with a friend asking him for some advice & I hear this
non stop meowing. Go to the front door & there she is.

 

[mystik spiral]

Smart girl knew to come home when she needed to! My kitty is strictly indoors as I live in a condo with a parking lot and busy street right outside my front door. My biggest fear is that Holland will somehow get out one day and I won't be able to get her back. Having her microchipped is a small comfort.

I'm glad your girl is home and OK!!!

 

[howtoholdacat]

That's great! I'm glad she's home!

 

[ut0pia]

I'm glad your kitty is back!
I have no idea why they act so differently outside.
I had an outside kitty once, well it was really a stray that I fed and he stayed around, sometimes came inside, but if I saw him on the street he used to run from me as if he doesn't recognize me at all