Kitty may slip out of your home for several reasons, which is why as a feline pet parent you must know the difference between a cat “Leaving home” and “Running away”. Sometimes, a fluffy fur ball gets distracted and wanders off; other times, it can deliberately stay outdoors to finish some important business. In contrast, a kitty cat can escape from a home if it finds staying in the household disturbing and stressful.
Your furball might have genuine reasons to run away from home, so reflect on what could have contributed to your fur baby’s decision to live independently outside your house. It can be a pretty scary situation because your feline will have no one to take care of them. Kitty might have to deal with accidents, injuries, sickness, dental, and other medical emergencies on its own.
Your furry pet would have gotten the best medical care in town during such times if it were in your home. While the best cat insurance policies help cat owners provide their munchkin with required health care in the above scenarios, a cheap pet insurance policy would have covered your furry little friend for diagnosis, treatment, medications, hospitalization, etc., after accidents only.
Perhaps all you can do is wish and pray that your cat on the run stays safe until it hopefully returns home. Meanwhile, read this article to learn some common reasons for a cat to abscond from its home.
Why do cats escape from homes?
- Unspayed or non-neutered cats desert homes to look for mates in the outside world.
- Blame it on their territorial nature. Cats usually defend from other animals or neighborhood cats the areas they consider rightfully theirs.
- A cat’s hunting instincts often tempt it to leave the home boundary. Kitty might lose track of home while it gets busy chasing rodents, squirrels, birds, bees, etc. Also, a fluffy fur ball might have discovered a stash of dead rodents at a neighbor’s barn, or similar.
- A sick or injured cat might seek shelter under somebody else’s barn or porch. This is because cats’ ancestors preferred to stay in hiding to protect themselves from the prying eyes of larger predators when they were too weak to fight or run away. It is precisely why they choose to remain out of sight until they are completely healed.
- Cats sometimes look for alternate food sources. For instance, kittens can wander to trash dumping zones, a neighbor’s yard where other outdoor pets are fed, food outlets offering the leftovers to street cats or other creatures daily, and other accessible food sources.
- Environmental disruption inside homes can be a vital factor for a cat to take a drastic step like exiting the home. For instance, the arrival of new humans, babies, fur people, house renovation, and significant life changes like moving homes or migrating to a different state, city, or country can push a cat to search for calmer territories.
Kitty can have some genuine reasons to leave your home, but it is your responsibility to give it many reasons to stay. Keep a watch on your furry precious’ moves if you suspect it is unhappy or wants something that isn’t available indoors. Ensure you satisfy your fur ball’s basic life needs, so they don’t think of leaving the household.
Also, consider purchasing cat insurance, so your munchkin is guarded for specific health conditions and unexpected medical situations. Cheap pet insurance policies are affordable and help keep your furry pet happy and healthy.