So here's the scoop on what's been going on with my cat this week.
He's 12 years old and fixed. We let him outside Monday night. Though he tends to spend his evenings outside, there was a really bad windstorm that night, and he doesn't like going outside if it's really cold or windy. BUT he was unusually hellbent on going outside, so we let him out. In the morning (Tuesday), he didn't come back home as he normally does. He did go to our neighbours' (they love him, and have a kitty of their own with whom our cat is friendly) early in the morning, but they let him back outside when they left for work. We didn't see him all of Tuesday or Wednesday. It wasn't until Thursday afternoon that he made an appearance at our neighbours' again. They let him inside, and called us to say that he was there so we could get him. We had told them that he hadn't been around, so they were on the lookout.
They did say that he was acting strangely though. Not lethargic or aggressive, but "not himself" nonetheless. Normally he's very happy to go visit them, but it's like he needed to be coaxed into their home. When we brought him home, he immediately wanted to be let outside again. Regardless, we kept him in for a few hours, he had a nap, and around 5 pm he was making so much noise wanting to be let outside, so we let him out, and again he disappeared. It's Friday night, and we haven't seen him since Thursday afternoon.
Does anyone have any idea as to what's up with him? He hasn't been neglected, he's well fed. He's extremely bonded with us and with our other kitty. Like I said, he's an outdoor cat, but he's never gone off this long without "checking in" so to speak. You'd think if he wanted to spend time outside, he'd at least be coming home to eat. But nope. We just can't figure out what would be keeping him from wanting to come home, or even to our neighbours. He's not a huge eater, so I don't feel that other people giving him food would entice him to stay with them. He'd just take their offerings and come back to us. Our neighbours give him treats and let him stay with them for whole days, but he comes back to us when he's ready. But it's like his mind is preoccupied with something else right now.
The only other time he wandered off for an extended period of time was about 10 years ago when he dislocated his leg during one of his outings. So his injury kept him from coming home for a few days. But when he was home yesterday, he seemed fine. Tail erect, cold nose. Do cats ever get moody like this and just go on "vacations" sometimes? It's very unlike him. Could this behavioural change be a symptom of some illness?
I'd love some advice! We're really worried.
He's 12 years old and fixed. We let him outside Monday night. Though he tends to spend his evenings outside, there was a really bad windstorm that night, and he doesn't like going outside if it's really cold or windy. BUT he was unusually hellbent on going outside, so we let him out. In the morning (Tuesday), he didn't come back home as he normally does. He did go to our neighbours' (they love him, and have a kitty of their own with whom our cat is friendly) early in the morning, but they let him back outside when they left for work. We didn't see him all of Tuesday or Wednesday. It wasn't until Thursday afternoon that he made an appearance at our neighbours' again. They let him inside, and called us to say that he was there so we could get him. We had told them that he hadn't been around, so they were on the lookout.
They did say that he was acting strangely though. Not lethargic or aggressive, but "not himself" nonetheless. Normally he's very happy to go visit them, but it's like he needed to be coaxed into their home. When we brought him home, he immediately wanted to be let outside again. Regardless, we kept him in for a few hours, he had a nap, and around 5 pm he was making so much noise wanting to be let outside, so we let him out, and again he disappeared. It's Friday night, and we haven't seen him since Thursday afternoon.
Does anyone have any idea as to what's up with him? He hasn't been neglected, he's well fed. He's extremely bonded with us and with our other kitty. Like I said, he's an outdoor cat, but he's never gone off this long without "checking in" so to speak. You'd think if he wanted to spend time outside, he'd at least be coming home to eat. But nope. We just can't figure out what would be keeping him from wanting to come home, or even to our neighbours. He's not a huge eater, so I don't feel that other people giving him food would entice him to stay with them. He'd just take their offerings and come back to us. Our neighbours give him treats and let him stay with them for whole days, but he comes back to us when he's ready. But it's like his mind is preoccupied with something else right now.
The only other time he wandered off for an extended period of time was about 10 years ago when he dislocated his leg during one of his outings. So his injury kept him from coming home for a few days. But when he was home yesterday, he seemed fine. Tail erect, cold nose. Do cats ever get moody like this and just go on "vacations" sometimes? It's very unlike him. Could this behavioural change be a symptom of some illness?
I'd love some advice! We're really worried.