How long to keep barn cat in after going missing?

[blood_magik]

Any advice appreciated.

One of our barn cats went missing for a week. He was spotted at the local cattery approx 0.5 miles away but was eventually found in the village I can only assume he’d snuck into someone’s car as it’s quite a way away from home.

I’ve kept him in since getting him back on Tuesday but have no idea how long to keep him in for. He’s definitely missing being out and getting quite grumpy.

He’s never been away more than 24hrs before.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think it depends on why you are keeping him in tbh. If you are hoping to stop him wandering off again you probably need to keep him in forever. If you want to re-establush in his mind that he gets fed in the barn, a couple Of weeks maximum. But you need to be aware that if he gets fed up of being kept in , when you do let him out, he may refuse to go back inside for a few days.

 

[asmp]

I assume he’s been neutered? He will roam if not.

 

[paddy555]

I think it depends on why you are keeping him in tbh. If you are hoping to stop him wandering off again you probably need to keep him in forever. If you want to re-establush in his mind that he gets fed in the barn, a couple Of weeks maximum. But you need to be aware that if he gets fed up of being kept in , when you do let him out, he may refuse to go back inside for a few days.

this. However .long you shut him in for he is his own person and will live his life as he chooses. I tell all my barn cats they will be there twice a day for feeding and then they can do what they want. They completely ignore me and come and go as they please.

 

[blood_magik]

Yes, he’s neutered and chipped.

It’s more to reestablish that he gets fed regularly here but as you all say, it’s trying to find the balance between reminding him that this is home and annoying him to the point he doesn’t come back…

Think I’ll let him back out tonight as he’s been in since Tuesday.

He’s always come back within 24hrs previously so

 

[blood_magik]

A quick update - having let him back out on the saturday night, he went straight back to the cattery down the road and stayed there.

They said they were happy to have him so we agreed that they would take over feeding him.

Guess who was in the shed this morning when I went down to feed the kittens?

 

[Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls]

You had the audacity to try and tell a cat what he can and can't do didn't you? Now he has to impress on both parties that he will swan about between the both of you and not a damn thing can be done about it!

 

[blood_magik]

Honestly, they’re so contrary, the lot of them…
4 beds to choose from and Madame chooses to sleep on top of a bin bag

 

[Pinkvboots]

Some cats just like multiple homes we lived on a small housing estate years ago and someone's cat would just walk in through our patio doors and make himself at home, we then found out he was also doing the same with our neighbour and another house a bit further down.

Probably getting fed at them all

 

[blood_magik]

Some cats just like multiple homes.

Probably getting fed at them all

Wouldn’t surprise me at all - he likes his food

 

[Cobxfan55]

 

[laurabound]

Sounds like you’ve got a pretty street-smart cat on your hands! Given he’s neutered and chipped, you’ve already ticked the main boxes for safety and tracking. After a few days inside, he’s probably itching to get back to his routine, and letting him out again sounds reasonable, especially if he’s never gone missing for that long before. Maybe keep an extra eye on him for the next few days to make sure he’s not wandering too far again.

 

[Sanversera]

 

[nagblagger]

Old thread @laurabound ,if you read it he has been let out and returned.

 

[ycbm]

Old thread, deleted.

 

[blood_magik]

He’s still living at the cattery and I’ve actually seen him around the yard a couple of times over the last week or so.

He looks good so was obviously the right decision to let him move on.

 

[gallopingby]

My ‘feral’ cats have food put down twice a day if their dish is empty. They come and go as they please. Usually found in the hay shed but one of them disappears for days, she always turns up again. They keep me amused as although it’s not always obvious where they are if they think the food dish is empty and hear my car they appear at speed. They also come to the back door or bate the dogs through the kitchen window.