Lonely cat?

[moinkette]

Hi everyone

I have two cats, Nate who's about two years old and Rosie who's around a year old. Both are rescues, Rosie was adopted about six months ago whereas I've had Nate for around a year.

Both cats are outdoor cats and Nate is a typical happy go lucky boy who's almost always out, exploring other people's gardens and comes back for a snooze / dinner time whenever it suits him. Rosie was much more of an indoor cat until recently, when she has started to hang outside the front door, meow piteously, follow strangers and try and get into other people's houses when I'm not around. I recently gave her a collar with a tag and my phone number, and I've been getting calls from people who are (understandably) concerned about her and wondering if she's ok.

I'm not sure what's brought about this change in behaviour - I work 8-6 more or less, so I get the feeling that she's lonely. I hoped that she would spend time with our other cat Nate so that she wouldn't feel this way, but they aren't the best of buddies - they get on ok, but they don't love each other.

I'm not sure what to do, I'm worried that she's really lonely and unhappy without me - and I'm worried that one day she'll follow the wrong stranger home!

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

[lilynmitz]

It does sound like she is lonely. Would you be able to get an indoor companion cat for her? A good rescue would be able to help,you choose a cat that would to fit I with your household.

Is she spayed? She may be in heat? If she is going outside and isn't spayed, please get her done ASAP!

Do you have a cat flap so she can come and go as she warns, or is she shut out during the say while you're out?

[moinkette]

Hi @lilynmitz, thanks for coming back to me. I am not sure I could get a third cat (would love to but Mr. Moinkette would probably put his foot down!)

She's spayed, so not in heat.

We have a cat flap and she can come and go as she pleases - so it's not a case of not being able to get indoors when she wants to.

The only other solution I can think of is to keep both of them indoors when I'm at work - but given they're both used to being outside already that seems a bit mean and Nate would NOT be happy!

[meriad]

It's a difficult one

I'm out the house on average for 11 hours and years back when I lived in my previous flat and 'only' had three cats I knew Jamie would regularly tootle off and visit neighbours. I'll never forget the day I moved, I had three families come to say goodbye to Jamie - I didn't know them at all

Where I live now - similar thing; Jamie used to happily pop into upstairs' flat and make herself at home and just enjoy the human company (esp when neighbour was home full time with her new baby). Jamie's sister Abbie, whilst not quite the same, would make herself at home in gardens of the sheltered living complex that's in the next road down from me. And in all honesty - I'm not home to keep them company and I know they make other people happy by visiting them. Admittedly I'm also lucky enough that we've got a fairly decent neighbourhood so end result is; I'm at work - cats are out and about visiting and are happy (and I suspect a few elder residents enjoy Abbie's company). Upstairs have now moved out and I just hope the new neighbours are OK with cats

So another option is to leave things as they are, and when people call you let them know that Rosie has a home, is cared for etc but obviously looking for human company and if they're OK with her visiting them, then you don't mind either, but... and the one big but will always be..... not to ever ever feed her. Your home is her home and Rosie needs to know that.

[Kay]

many years ago I commuted to London from Chatham, and left a solitary Siamese alone for never less than 12 hours a day, from a kitten

I don't know if she went looking for company, but she was always home when I got back, and I always let her sleep with me to make up for lost together time - and I rarely went out for long over the weekend

I don't know if Rosie shares your bed, or even wants to, but you can only do your best - and if she isn't microchipped I'd get it done pronto, as you don't want anyone claiming her on the grounds they didn't know she had an owner - collars can always be removed

[meriad]

Same here Kay - mine sleep on my bed with me.... a bit of a squeeze at times but I wouldn't want it any other way It definitely makes up for the time I'm not home I think, esp for the three that can't get out the garden

Moinkette as you won't know - I have six cats; three of which can come and go as they wish and three others that are confined to house and garden

[moinkette]

@Kay, @meriad thanks for replying.

I'm totally happy for her to keep neighbours etc. company, in fact I hope she does if that makes her a bit less lonely. And I don't mind getting the calls from concerned strangers although I feel awfully guilty when I'm speaking to people (like a bad mother!)

Getting her to sleep with us could be a good solution. She would be thrilled - not sure Nate our bigger cat would but he could always stay downstairs.

And she is microchipped, thanks for asking. Will keep you posted!

PS @meriad! Six cats!! Wow! I would love that