Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Is my tom cat gone?

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/8/2009


Question
I have a (just under a yr) old tom cat. He was part of a liter that was born in my backyard. My wife kept feeding them everyday and we both became quite close to our little kittens. After a while we tried to coax them inside (they were kinda skiddish. After a cpl months 1 became real friendly and we let him inside the house everyday. Shortly after that the others disappeared. The tom cat that stayed, we pretty much called him ours and he would stay in the house all the time. When he wanted out he would go to the door, meow and we would let him out. After a bit we would let him back in. Then recently he would only stay inside a short time and want back out. Be outside a short time and we would let him back in. Then after about a week of that, we let him out and he didn't come back! That was 3 weeks ago. We loved him,is he gone for good?

Answer
Perry,

Without being neutered tomcats will travel to find females. He may have done that and gotten lost, or maybe he is not through "tom-catting". Or someone else may have thought he was a nice stray cat and adopted him. Cats have been gone a month or more and have returned, You can only hope for the best, and WHEN he comes back, get him neutered!

I would also put up signs where people in the neighborhood shop and get gas. Someone may have seen him around or knows where he is, but they don't know who to call.

I sincerely hope you find him!

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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