Aa
How long can a cat survive?
Hi!
Our dearly beloved cat has been gone for 5-6 days. He was probably chased away by other cats in the area. He's either ran over, taken care of by others or he's stuck/lost.
He was bottled up and has really become one of those high-personality cats. If he wanted more water in his bowl, he would move it to the middle of the floor to point our attention to it - if he got enough of cuddle, he'd kick and bite to tell it was enough, and if he wanted to play he'd patiently wait until I got out of bed in the morning, pulled on my morning robe and walked around barefeet, just so that he could attack my feet (seldom anyone else).
So, back to the question: How long could he, as 1.5 years old, survive in the wilderness? He's not a big brave cat so if he's been chased away I have my hopes that he'll return. The dread is to tell my daughter that he's probably never coming back.
Sigh, yet another lost cat, most would think and yep, I am thinking so too even if this is the first time he's gone. (He's castrated, but maybe he never caught that?)
Florena
Our dearly beloved cat has been gone for 5-6 days. He was probably chased away by other cats in the area. He's either ran over, taken care of by others or he's stuck/lost.
He was bottled up and has really become one of those high-personality cats. If he wanted more water in his bowl, he would move it to the middle of the floor to point our attention to it - if he got enough of cuddle, he'd kick and bite to tell it was enough, and if he wanted to play he'd patiently wait until I got out of bed in the morning, pulled on my morning robe and walked around barefeet, just so that he could attack my feet (seldom anyone else).
So, back to the question: How long could he, as 1.5 years old, survive in the wilderness? He's not a big brave cat so if he's been chased away I have my hopes that he'll return. The dread is to tell my daughter that he's probably never coming back.
Sigh, yet another lost cat, most would think and yep, I am thinking so too even if this is the first time he's gone. (He's castrated, but maybe he never caught that?)
Florena
Sorry to here that, luv. I've been through this sort of thing a few times and it always sucks
(My first time I used a cardboard pet carrier from the vet's office for a six month old. We got outside and it tore right through that box in under 30 seconds...was gone like a flash! Chased her to the highway and she bolted across, disappearing forever into an industrial zone...TOO many places to search!!!)
the important thing is you learn from what happened to try not to have it happen again (I learned that day not to be a cheap ******* and use a kitten carrier on a non kitten! :) )
We lost a Tigger as well some 13 years ago (ran off the day we were moving out of state!!!) ... that one ended up with a neighbor. Perhaps there's some residual luck and karma to the name and your Tigger is managing all right.
(My first time I used a cardboard pet carrier from the vet's office for a six month old. We got outside and it tore right through that box in under 30 seconds...was gone like a flash! Chased her to the highway and she bolted across, disappearing forever into an industrial zone...TOO many places to search!!!)
the important thing is you learn from what happened to try not to have it happen again (I learned that day not to be a cheap ******* and use a kitten carrier on a non kitten! :) )
We lost a Tigger as well some 13 years ago (ran off the day we were moving out of state!!!) ... that one ended up with a neighbor. Perhaps there's some residual luck and karma to the name and your Tigger is managing all right.
Thank you for your help and the wisdom you have shared.
I have taught a whole lot on asking this question. My little Tigger didn't return and hope is fading seriously for each hour that passes. He probably didn't make it.
At least he gave a lot of joy while he lived with us, and if someone have taken care of him I hope they experience the same joy (and learn to know him as well as we did so that their heels and feet don't get so attacked lol). If he didn't survive, at least he did have a good, though short, life.
Florena
I have taught a whole lot on asking this question. My little Tigger didn't return and hope is fading seriously for each hour that passes. He probably didn't make it.
At least he gave a lot of joy while he lived with us, and if someone have taken care of him I hope they experience the same joy (and learn to know him as well as we did so that their heels and feet don't get so attacked lol). If he didn't survive, at least he did have a good, though short, life.
Florena
you should also call animal control (or shelters) because they may have taken him...
That's good to hear. And yes, cats do set up in large communities if the opportunity arrives (territory and food). So this woman may very well end up with kitty.
Good luck with hunting kitty down! It is possible to locate a lost cat. They generally don't wander very far...I'd find the first obvious food source in each direction and look there. Another trick is cats work by visual recognition. Which means if there's a property with similar "lines", there's a chance kitty will show up there.
Good luck with hunting kitty down! It is possible to locate a lost cat. They generally don't wander very far...I'd find the first obvious food source in each direction and look there. Another trick is cats work by visual recognition. Which means if there's a property with similar "lines", there's a chance kitty will show up there.
Thank you very much for the reply! I really appreciate it. I talked with a neighbor just a few hours ago and heard - to confirm my theory - that there is a lady in the village that take care of the homeless cats (now mind me, but every cat might be homeless to her) so I'll check tomorrow if she's seen a stripey cat lately. Geesh, gray and black stripes are really not anything extraordinary.
On the positive side our second, older cat has even started playing around and being more safe. It is as if she's even eating better.
Florena
On the positive side our second, older cat has even started playing around and being more safe. It is as if she's even eating better.
Florena
Most cats that have never been outdoors when they run off don't go very far. Usually they bolt when first startled and hunker down in a "safe" enclosed area (drainage pipe, under a porch, etc).
Beyond that, it depends on a set of circumstances so varied I can't say...except that a lot depends on weather and food sources. But On average, I hate to say it but the survival rate is very low. Generally high stress levels bring on health issues (usually brought on by minor injury that will lead to infection) and inevitably death. The woods are especially hard as kitty doesn't have the proper hunting skills...in suburbia, at least kitty can scavenge.
I would suggest the next time a kitty disappears, scout the area for likely hiding places. An animal will tend to move downhill when wandering and away from anything scary like a high traffic roadway. If you're smart, you can predict kitty's movements fairly well (I've done this a few times). If you can get out after them in the first 24-48 hours, you can find them before hunger causes them to attempt hunting for food and has them moving off in unlikely directions.
I'd also suggest a cooler with id tag if this is an ongoing issue. Heck, I'd suggest lo-jacking kitty. There's also ultrasonic fences to keep kitty from wandering.
Beyond that, it depends on a set of circumstances so varied I can't say...except that a lot depends on weather and food sources. But On average, I hate to say it but the survival rate is very low. Generally high stress levels bring on health issues (usually brought on by minor injury that will lead to infection) and inevitably death. The woods are especially hard as kitty doesn't have the proper hunting skills...in suburbia, at least kitty can scavenge.
I would suggest the next time a kitty disappears, scout the area for likely hiding places. An animal will tend to move downhill when wandering and away from anything scary like a high traffic roadway. If you're smart, you can predict kitty's movements fairly well (I've done this a few times). If you can get out after them in the first 24-48 hours, you can find them before hunger causes them to attempt hunting for food and has them moving off in unlikely directions.
I'd also suggest a cooler with id tag if this is an ongoing issue. Heck, I'd suggest lo-jacking kitty. There's also ultrasonic fences to keep kitty from wandering.
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