Bonus' Adventure

 

So I haven’t told you that I’ve been on pins and needles all week since Monday morning. The reason? A certain someone decided he wanted to wander off a little bit…

After everything had gone so well with Mini and Bonus in the garden and with them seeming to enjoy it and staying in the vicinity of the house I installed the kitty door on Saturday.

On Sunday my friend Sanna and her son Leo (one of Wille’s best friends) came over and on Monday morning I was a bit concerned when Bonus didn’t show up for breakfast. When I got home from work that day and still didn’t see him I started to worry a bit but figured he was checking out the neighborhood like cats do. On Tuesday morning both Wille and I were getting really worried. I printed flyers, called the police, called the cat ID place, texted the new owner of our old house and our old neighbors (at 6.30 am…) and talked to everyone I could see in our new neighborhood. No Bonus.

Yesterday morning I got the text I was waiting for. Emma, the new owner of our old house has seen Bonus in the garden! I was on my way to work but quickly did a U-turn on the subway and met up with Wille with the pet carrier + cat food at the old house only to find out that he’d gone into the woods. Wille had to leave for school but I stayed in the woods (in the rain…) for a couple of hours but couldn’t find him so I went back home to do some work. At 2 pm Emma texted me again and said Bonus was now in the garden. I got on my bike as quick as I could and sped over there and there he was! Awwww! Poor baby! All hungry after roughing it for three days!

We came home. He ate. He fell asleep.

So, now what to do? We’ll obviously keep him inside for a while but he’s really an outdoorsy cat so it would be cruel to keep him inside forever and with Mini being allowed outside (she stays put, our little girl) it would be really complicated. Any experience? Any ideas? Thanks!

Comments

[Shannon]

Ack...that's stressful. I hope he stays home now! Maybe now that he knows you don't live there anymore, he won't wander off?

[E.]

Keep both cats inside for a few weeks. Yes, he's an outdoor cat, but he's just moved house and he's unclear on where he lives. Things at your new home are a little unsettled, which is upsetting him. Male cats are more inclined to roam and get lost than females.

I've always had outdoor cats too, but when I've moved I keep them in for at least a month to emphasize to them that this is where we live. They would spend time looking out the windows and complain a little, but the window-staring helped them forget about the old garden and get comfortable with the new. I would bring the cats outdoors with me for brief supervised exploration when I worked in the garden but would bring them in when I was done. Essentially it is training the cat to live in the new house.

[marie]

Hi Benita! That was really an adventure, and I can imagine how worried you and Wille were. I don't know how far your new house is from the old one, but when I moved with my four cats to a new house, they kept going to their old territory. They are also outdoor cats, and the two houses are only a few blocks away. One of them, kept the everyday journey to the old house for almost a year... Of course now they are all set here, and don't go there anymore, but it's more a matter of time, than keeping them inside. Bonus would be so unhappy... If the two houses are close, why don't you try to do an on foot trip with him on a leash? That way he would know the way back to the new house. Good luck, and greetings from Portugal.

[Anna]

What a worry. Have you heard of the old wives tale of putting butter on their paws to prevent them returning home? (perhaps its just a UK thing).

A more useful suggestion may be to try feliway? It is a diffuser or spray that mimics the cats natural facial pheromone which makes them feel happy and secure in their environment.

http://www.feliway.com/gb

I've used it when moving and to stop my cat spraying with great success.

Good luck!

[Fenke]

i would also suggest to keep them inside a little longer. my cats never came home from an early outdoor adventure (he got away through a half open window) when we moved years ago. and maybe accompany them on their first steps outside. good luck!

[Carlos]

I useed Feliway for the first weeeks but removed it on the weekend thinking we didn't need it anymore. I'll put it back immediately and get a refill!

I haven't tried thte butter thing but I will!

[Tena]

I've had the same experience with my cat Maxi years ago, also a male. When we moved, he would often go to the old neighborhood, and come back after a few days. Unfortunately, to get there and back, he would have to go through some heavy traffic streets, so after a few months he just didn't come back :(
So, if I went through it again, I would try and keep him in the house for a while.

[Carlos]

The distance is about 3 km so it's further than just a block or two away I'm afraid.

[Carlos]

Thanks!

[Carlos]

That's what I worry about too, traffic.

[Robyn]

My family moved about the same distance a few years ago, and to make sure my cat (who is a very outdoorsy tomcat) didn't return home, we kept him inside the entire winter (about 4 months). That might be a bit much for Bonus, since your weather is so nice, but I think at least a month or 2 would help.

[Zosia]

I never had a cat, but I hear they like to go their own ways. I guess he was missing the old place, but hopefully, he will get used to the new home soon. It's getting lovelier and lovelier every day, so he is bound to like it. And maybe after this adventure and being cold and hungry for a while he will appreciate the comforts of the new abode and the love he gets from you and Wille.

[Peta]

Poor Bonus! And you! You must have been so worried.
It always amazes me that cats can find their way back to an old home. I hope he's learnt his lesson and won't wander off again. I'd keep him inside a bit longer just to be sure. It's better to have a grumpy indoor kitty for awhile rather than risking having an escapee kitty that could go missing forever.
So glad you found him.

ps - I like you choice of dining chairs. ;-)

[Aleta]

What a worry...at least he's safe now. When we first got our cat from a rescue centre we had a visit from someone to 'advise' us on his settling in period. She was insistent that we should keep him indoors in his new home for at least 6 weeks, and longer if we thought he was a bit unpredictable. By the end he was climbing up the walls, but we've never had a problem from the day we first let him out so I guess it worked!

[Mal]

You poor things, when I moved with two cats, one Mini's doppelganger, I did keep them in, and let them out only with me for some time. (before felliway) That was summer, too, and involved some very early mornings trying to coax them back in before I went to work. (I was very careful to not feed them before going out!) They did settle eventually, although Sam did the same trick as Bonus, and vanished for a week once.
So, both your babies have given you a fright now! (Mini's accident)
best wishes, Mal

[jja]

What a drama! This is for sure my worst nightmare. I am so happy for happy end!

What is this butter trick about?

[MacLeod House]

Whenever I've moved with cats, I've started with keeping them in one room. Then adding a few more. Usually about 3 weeks inside is enough for them to get the 'smell' of the new house memorized. My gran always used to say 'put butter under their paws so that they get the smell immediately' but I was never keen to try it - and have to clean it up afterwards! (Although I did get my cat to eat pills by crushing them, mixing it with butter, and putting a glob onto their fur - they instantly lick it off - and take their medication at the same time).

[stacey]

i have moved 4 times with 2 cats and one of them used to be very adventurous- she couldn't wait to get out to explore! but they always came home every night.
so i must have done something right.
i always kept them inside for 2 weeks..then they had supervised outings for the following 2 weeks, after that i was still cautious of how long they spent outside and would keep them in after dinner at night with a supervised toilet run before bedtime!
its all about gradually letting them get to know their new surroundings.

[Lena]

We took over our cat from a couple in the neighbourhood when we moved (they had several small children and it was too busy for the cat). We were very worried that he would return to his old home and wanted to keep him inside for a few weeks but he escaped after a few days (maybe three days?). Luckily he returned the same day and funnily while he had escaped through the back door he returned at the front door, meowing to be let in, altough our house is a row house. I don't even know how he could know that it was the right house! He's really a smart cat, isn't he? So I don't really have any advice on how to keep Bonus to return to your new house, but I can't resist sharing kitty stories:-)

[Katie]

I think most of these recommendations are sound! In addition perhaps do more harnessed, supervised outings and when you return them to the house, give them a treat which is a nice association, I think. Also maybe make a space for them inside the house that they like. A little kitty nest by a window so they can enjoy the view and sun? That might make them feel more secure and happy in their new home.

[paraskevi]

benita,you have to be patient for a while. here in greece there is an expression saying that cats always bond with places, not with people.everyone in greece can tell you a story for a cat travelling miles away, just to return to his previous home.we 're talking of course for cats who are free to go outside.never been a home owner and always a cat person, I always had trouble persuading my cats staying with us at the new houses.the most strange thing that ever happened,was a cat, born and raise in an appartment, always sleepy and sluggish, when finally we moved to a house with garden, she transformed to a super active explorer ever since. she never slept for hours again, she always climbs, explores,hunts.be patient, don't let them outside unattended for a while, and always, always spoil them for a while and let them decide where is the right place to stay for their benefit.

[Monica]

Oh what a nightmare! So glad you found Bonus.

[T.]

Glad that you found Bonus :)

When we brought our cats home from the animal shelter, they told us to not let them go outside for 4 weeks and only under supervision for 2 more weeks, because by then they would accept our house as their new home.
I guess you can shorten the timeframe a little, because your cats already associate you and Wille with "home", but I wouldn't let Bonus (or both) go out alone for at least 2 weeks.

[Iiris]

Well, that must have been worrying. Luckily he is back where he belongs! Though I guess, in his mind he is not really where he should be as he went back to your old house.
When we moved, my old(er) cat disappeared after a week being ok outside and coming in nicely. It was really cold and snowy and as he needed constant medication, I was really worried. We ran out of ink because I printed so many leaflets out!
I was looking for him everywhere, new neighbours thought I was mad rattling stinky catfood tins and calling his name walking up and down streets. My mother in law said I should have smeared his paws with butter before letting him out. Why, I don't know, but that's an old belief in England. By then I was so worried I swore I'd smear the whole cat if he ever came back!
And after a week he was there, on the patio waiting for me. He ate three bowls of food, went upstairs and slept for three days looking mighty happy.

I think they must have an instinct to go back 'home' and guess all you can do is to keep him in long enough for his internal navigation system to get confused, and starting to accept that this really is his home now. Can't be anything personal like 'I'll show her for moving me here!', just an autopilot in their brain. Just be patient with an annoying outdoorsy cat stuck indoors and probabaly driving you mad but I can't think of any other way. Good luck!

Iiris

[[email protected]]

After a recent move, my cat who is strictly indoor escaped out the back door when the children weren't paying attention. We didn't realize it. After about 24 hours we realized we hadn't seen him in a while. We looked everywhere. We walked outside and searched and called. After about 3 days, I put fliers with his picture in all my surrounding neighbors doors. I went to all the local animal shelters and send notes to local rescue organizations. A few days later I got a phone call from a neighbor that was just two houses behind me saying that my cat was under his car. I immediately went running. He was terrified of course and darted into the drainage system that goes under the parking lot. I bent down and essentially put half my body in there. As soon as he smelled me he immediately came running out. After that incident (he was gone for about a week) he would occassionally go out and sleep in the sun on our front walk, but he never again went out of sight of the house. I think he learned his lesson.

[Michelle]

Hi Benita,

Greetings from Australia. I have 2 cats as well so can only imagine how worried you must have been. My New Zealander husband has said that his family did the butter on paws suggestion that a few UK readers have suggested. He said that worked for them.
Love what you have done with the new house and can't wait to see the rest.
Good luck with Bonus, I think I would also keep him in for a bit longer although I know how hard that is with an outdoor cat

Michelle

[Claudia Martins Dietrich]

So lucky to get him back! My little cat Zaza has desapeared since Sunday evening, and I couldn't find her in the vicinity. I live in a very busy city and I'm almost giving up hope, for she had never ventured outside the house, she was very nervous even to go to the front yard, keeping only to the inside garden. Her brother, Romeu is feeling lost and depressed without her and so are we, the humans that are so dependent on their animal love...

[homestilo]

Oh no, he was missing his old home? Glad you found him (and that the story had a happy ending)

[Anna]

I had a situation where we had to transition our cat to become an indoor cat and after about a month inside she was fine. We did engage her in a lot of play with hunting like games-mouse on a string, scratching post, etc. We also have a large window where she could sit and watch the world go by.

[devil]

Bonus looks a bit tired from his adventures, but certainly no worse for wear. Adorable photo.

I agree w/others about leashed outings for a while. Staying inside for a couple/few months won't hurt Bonus. It actually may save his life.

So sorry you had all that worry...no one needs that kind of stress, especially after a big move.

[Lisa]

Oh, I'm so glad this scare ended well! I'm envisioning all the traffic in the Stockholm suburbs.
I haven't moved with a cat, but I too would keep them in a lot longer, do the leash thing for a couple of weeks, and then only have them out on the loose when you are around to start off with. So exactly what you have done, but over a much extended period.

I'm from the countryside, and used to having outdoor cats. I live in an estate abroad now, a "radhusområde", and I didn't want a cat, because I think cats are happier being allowed outside, which I wouldn't be comfortable with here. But then a neighbour moved away and left their cat behind. In winter he was eating the bread we were throwing out for birds. He's a longhaired cat, and his fur was one big ball. It was awful. So we had him castrated and shaved, and he has now been an indoor cat for nearly 2 months, and he is (suprisingly!) perfectly fine with that. I'm not happy about keeping him inside though, he doesn't get enough exercise, but people here drive like maniacs, and some are rather cruel to cats. The other day I watched a woman walking past let her 7-8 year old son set their dog after a neighbour's cat, they even ran after the cat into her owner's garden! The dog was snapping after the cat, and my partner and I were stunned, watching in horror before we yelled out to make them stop.
Sorry about the long comment, I know you have nicer neighbours, and hopefully after a bit more time inside and "on supervised parole" Bonus will stay put.

[Sarah]

Not as helpful as other comments, perhaps, but maybe interesting: http://news.illinois.edu/news/11/0526_cat_study_Horn-Mateus-Warner.html

Also, I can't recall the name, but there was a guy who attached a small camera to his roaming cat, designed to take pictures at intervals in his travels. I think he'd started selling them, so maybe bonus could have a photoblog of his own if you were interested in that kinda thing. A cats' eye view of the world :)

[Luckybeans]

Yes, we used butter on the paws when we moved. I think it has something to do with helping them to adjust to the scents, and by the time they've sorted out the butter, they are adjusted? I followed my mother-in-laws advice, and it did seem to work. Poor bonus, and poor worried you!

[Valeria]

So glad Bonus is OK! Could you build him an inexpensive screen enclosure with wood and let him get used to the outdoor this way? On line there are many plans for simple structures. Just an idea. Good luck!

[Jenny]

What a relief! We were worried. I had cats when I was little and that happened now and then, I remember how we suffered. So glad for you! Jenny

[Lisa Flaherty]

Oh, my gosh! How stressful! We have a pond and had a turtle "run" away and it came back a full year later! No experience with wandering cats, however. Glad everything ended well. Poor baby--that picture of him crashed out after his adventure is adorable! Good luck with it; looks like a lot of good advice for you here.

[elisa rathje]

what a relief! what i want to know is how they figured out about cats in butter in the first place!

[D]

yeah, the butter. Cats groom when they are comfortable in their surroundings. Cats groom when they have something on their fur. Cats dislike oily stuff on their paws, and generally like butter.

So. Putting butter on their paws makes them lick it off, which is supposed to make them feel comfortable in the new surroundings....or at least they appear that way, since a grooming cat is associated with a happy, settled cat.

By now I would say it would have zero effect.

If he's ok outside with the harness on, I'd do that. You could string one long line overhead, and attach the leash to that, to allow more roaming room. A breakaway harness would keep him safe from being tangled badly enough to come to harm.

[Jeannette]

This may sound really weird but I remember my mother telling me that when you move and if you have cats, to wipe butter on the bottom of their paws before they go outside. The scent that they leave behind will help them find their way home and is non toxic. Unfortunately, our cats were indoor cats when I lived at home so I can't say from experience that it works but it could be worth a try.
Good luck! Oh, and your new home is lovely. I really like the changes you have made.

[Jeannette]

Oh my - now I just see that someone posted the same thing as I did! Maybe Mom was right?

[Messy]

Could not agree more. Especially now that it's spring.
My cat disappeared for four days after we moved. He was very weak when he finally made it back. The river between our old house and the new one prevented him from going back, I think we were lucky he made it back. We had been in the new place for weeks already, but it was unsettling because they were still building etc.

[theresa]

We did the butter trick when we moved twice with our two cats, we also kept them in for about four weeks each time, (our boy cat was NOT happy about that!) I don't know whether the butter has any affect but they both enjoyed it. I'm so glad that he's home again, what a terrible worry for you both.

[Tina]

Hi,
when we moved 2 years ago our vet told us to keep our cat (male) inside for a month. 2 to 3 days he just kept hiding under a pillow, only his tail looking out.
Then he started exploring house, cellar and attic.
When he first went outside after 4 weeks he was so afraid of the odours of the neighbours cats he went inside instantly. But he never went back to our old house only 1 km away with very heavy traffic in the middle of the way.

Friends of ours let their cat out after a few days and it went straight back to their old home only 500m away. And he still does after a year in the new home !!!!! So they have to get the cat back twice to three times a week!

[Megan]

I agree with most of the comments. I have 2 cats both of whom are outdoor cats. Phoebe is now a ripe old lady and has moved all over the country thanks to military life. Like all cats, they don't particularly like change (Phoebe in particular). Whenever we move I always keep the kitties inside until they start to look really comfortable. For both of them, this is usually about a month. Once they are looking really comfortable inside (i.e. they have developed their own "usual" hiding/lounging places and walk around looking prim and proud like cats do) I'll start doing supervised outdoor visits. I won't let them have time alone outside until I'm really, really sure that they know what their boundaries are. Once again, they usually have usual habits, hiding places and lounging places in the yard. Once they do that, then I'm comfortable letting them explore. I think the last time we moved the going outside process took another month.

I just always err on the side of extreme caution with my kitties. They're such temperamental little animals! Things that take them out of their comfort zones can really affect them emotionally and lead to some sad situations. After losing one kitty after a move so I'm super cautious now.

[ChicagoGirl]

Cats are territorial creatures and they probably feel like the old home is still theirs to monitor. You might try spending time with them outdoors a few more times before letting them out on their own again. Maybe in a few weeks their instincts will change and make them feel that the new place is home territory? I know ours took a few months to really feel like the new house was their "home" even though they do not go outside.

[Hazel]

I moved a while ago with 7 cats! kept them in for a month and by then were used to the house, location, area and particularly the smells. Hopefully his bad experienced will put him off for a while but I would keep him in for a while longer. Good luck nothing more stressful than a missing cat.

[Robyn :)]

I have to put my cat on a leash(I hook 2 together) or he will roam the neighborhood. He comes back, but he is very friendly and cute and I am always afraid someone will take him!!

[Jaimie]

My cats are strictly indoors, but I have heard of people putting butter on kittens' feet so they can find their way back home when they first let them outside. I have no idea if that actually works or not.

[Christine]

Put him on a leash in your backyard. They make tiny ones for little dogs. A cat should have no problem with it. Just make sure he cannot climb anything, or the leash will get stuck so he does not hurt himself with it. That way he will enjoy outside but not run off.

[Maddy]

We moved sevaral time with our cat Fluffy. Every time, despite good intentions, she would find her way out. Every time, she went missing for a few days, and every time I fretted. She always came back thouh. Someone told me that cats explore the new neighbourhood in increasing circles. Maybe Bonus recognised her old territory when she got to it?
It is stressful for you, and a lot of good advice given here, good luck to all of you!

[Robyne]

I've just been through the exact same thing when we moved recently. My female cat was happy to stay around the house, but my male cat Tiger kept going back to out old house. The first time after we kept him inside for two weeks, we got him back pretty quick though. We then kept him inside for another two weeks and he escaped by pushing in a fly screen and jumping out a window. He went back to our old house, but he was very difficult to catch - he was living in the park behind our old house- he became so used to living on his wits that he became scared of us. Eventually after several weeks he became very hungry and went to the old house and the new owners let him in. He seemed so happy to be home that after a week inside I started to let him out for very short periods. Then I couldn't beleive it when he went again! Luckily he remembered his way back and came back on his own after three days. So now I have kept him in for a week again and only letting him out under supervision, trying to balance the time he can go outside. He is such an outside cat I worry he will get cabin fever and try to run away even harder. Sorry not much advice here, just try and keep him in as long as possible. good luck.

[Account Deleted]

Maybe in a few weeks their instincts will change and make them feel that the new place is home territory? I know ours took a few months to really feel like the new house was their "home" even though they do not go outside.

[Noga from Israel]

I agree to every word of yours. I moved with cats 4 times. I think that , if you have time, it is best to paint and arrange furniture before moving the cats because the smells and the movements are hard for them to take. Right now, I would think to place the cats beds and food in a room that is not changing or being painted, and let them both out only when you are at home. They will return home because you are there. Maybe it is a metter of time.
It is good that you know now where to search Bonus when he disapears..
Good Luck!

[Amanda]

Oh dear The same thing happened with our cat when we moved into our house a few years ago. He survived eight moves very well, then on his final ever moved we did almost exactly what you did, and on the second outdoor day he just never returned. It's still heartbreaking for us. I wish I had known about the butter trick then, because our boys would be miserable being stuck indoors (in fact we have tried everything to keep them contained - backyard cages and all sorts and they will always find a way to be 'free' of the tricks we try). Very glad Bonus has come home safely. In the end you have to trust that you've given them an appropriate chance to learn their new surroundings.

[D]

I wouldn't use a dog harness with a cat. Dog harnesses are designed to stay ON the dog, where cat harnesses expect the wearer to be doing acrobatics above the ground, and will "break away" before the animal chokes.

[Carlos]

*weeks

[Carlos]

Bonus update, Friday June 3:

I'm afraid he escaped again! I have no idea how he got out because I swear we had the house sealed shut but somehow he got away. The only thing I can think of is that he timed when Mini jumped in through the cat door from outside and then jumped out the millisecond after before the flap locked. I've been by the old house but so far no luck. Will keep you posted.

[Pamela]

I am relieved to hear Bonus is home!

[Pamela]

Oh no! I spoke too soon!:(

[Jane]

Hi, I think the butter on their paws thing is just connected to the idea that it makes them sit down and wash their paws clean, having a treat (butter)at the same time, and that a sitting, washing cat is a more settled and relaxed one.

I recently got a new cat, three years old, and made sure that at first I only let her out (heavily supervised) BEFORE a meal, so she would come running back after five minutes when I made "dinner" noises. After a few days of this, we went in and out a lot and I would give her a small food treat every time she voluntarily came in, to reward her coming in on her own. She is all settled now.

Bonus will eventually mark out his new territory and have a few fights with other boy cats and forget about the old territory... best wishes to you all!

[Jane]

I spoke to soon also! Over time, new cats will take over his old territory, because we all guess that is where he is going now!

I once had a lost cat who turned out to be sleeping (for 36 hours) behind the washing up bowl and cloths under the sink. We checked everything, all the cupboards, calling, clattering food dishes, and he did not make a peep. Eventually he miawed! It may be worth checking everywhere inside the house again....

best wishes, Jane

[SewandKnit]

Have moved a few cats in my life. One a very short distance, only about 500 meters down the street. He had lived in the old house his whole life (about 10 years at that point) But very quickly realized where his food bowl was at and chose to follow it. So very little problems there. The one thing we have always done is to follow the two week rule. I don't know where it came from but I have always heard that a relocated cat should be kept inside or in the back yard for two weeks before being allowed to roam free. Seems like that's the time they need to reset there compass to there new location.

Good luck and I hope they both feel at home in there new house soon.

[Claudia Martins Dietrich]

After 19 days, my little cat Zaza has come back home this morning! We have no clue where she has been, just know she isn't hurt and has lost some weight. She was desperatly hungry and confused, but has already been bathed, and caressed, and well fed.

[Carlos]

Yay!!! I'm so happy for you!

[Ana]

I would really consider keeping them indoors. I know you think it's cruel but so is getting lost, getting into fights, catching diseases or getting hit by a car.

Indoor cats live longer and are healthier. Just my two cents.