Cat lost, now found. Need help!

17 years ago

I have a question - unfortunately I hope none have you have experienced losing a pet (not passing away, just gone!)But, if you have, I hope you were lucky enough to find them.

On Valentines day our cat went missing. We searched and searched to no avail. Well, we found a coyote in our backwoods on a trail camera and thought for sure, that was where the cat had disappeared to. We were devastated. Well, low and behold I leave to go out this morning and I get about a mile away from home, and there's my cat, hanging out with a man in his front yard doing yard work. I flipped! I pulled in and asked if it was his, he said no but it had been around for a little while so he was feeding it, but could tell it was someones cat. So, I get out and pick her up and she was meowing rather loud. I put her in the car and headed home. I stuck her in the garage because I knew I had to get going to my appointment and when I came home I put her leash on her and took her outfront to see the dog. (Our neighbors abandoned their cat and dog and we've had them for some time) Well, she had NOTHING to do with the dog that she'd lived with for 9 years. She wouldn't even pay attention to her, and this was her best friend. She ate some food, but was no longer the loving cat I had known for so long. Do you think she is just confused? Will she ever be the cat I have known for so long? She is scared and frightened of me :( Any advice?

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Comments (8)

gracie-2006
17 years ago
How old is your cat? I have heard of cat's having signs of alzheimers or dementia. I would contact your vet and see if you can get her in asap and checked out! She might be ill. Sounds like she has been on her own for over a month. She may have come in contact with some bad food or who knows what!
katiejean23
Original Author
17 years ago
She is about 9.
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sylviatexas1
17 years ago
I'd probably call the vet, but when a cat has had a traumatic experience (sounds like she may have been "picked up" & then dropped off or abandoned), she often is very prickly for quite some time.

Years ago, I went on vacation & left my cat Cinders, who was just about glued to me every day, at home but in the care of a roommate.

When my roommate picked me up at the airport, she said Cinders had missed me, had cried every day, etc.

When I walked in the door, Cinders looked at me, turned her back, & stalked out of the room!

It took a couple of weeks for her to get in a good mood with me again.

& that was just me going off for a week & leaving her in her own territory with a roomie she knew!

So I bet if you'll be very patient with your cat, & shower her with love, she'll come around.
laurief_gw
17 years ago
Are you absolutely certain that the cat you found IS your cat? Does your cat have unique physical characteristics that make it possible to positively ID her?

If you are 100% certain that she is your cat, then it sounds like she's just very traumatized and needs time to decompress in a quiet, safe environment in your home for a while. Let her regain her psychological equilibrium in her own way and in her own time. Don't try to force interactions on her, either with the other animals or with your human family members.

Be patient and keep everything very low key with her, and she'll most likely come around in time.

Laurie
lisa11310
17 years ago
Why would you put your cat in the garage? Didn't she live in the house? If you have a leash for her she must have been an inside cat that you took good care of and did not allow to roam. Something doesn't add up here.
shaun
17 years ago
I'm thinking maybe this really wasnt your cat but just looked like her.
angelcute
17 years ago
Don't worry...sometimes DH will go out of town for 2 weeks, when he gets back our cat has nothing to do with him for a few days. We always say that the cat is mad about DH leaving. And believe me, our cat loves DH. Your cat will get use to you and your surroundings again.
nyghtrayne
17 years ago
Definately have her checked by your vet and give her plenty of time to readjust. She should come around. I have a 2 year old cat and we have just moved and he is acting scared of every little noise, but he is slowly coming around. It seems like some cats take longer than others to readjust.