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Cats/9 YO male cat won't come home
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Question
Good day! I have a 9 year old male DSH that was a stray when I first got him in 2000. He was skittish and aloof but eventually warmed to me and became my baby. He's always been free to come and go as he pleased and until I moved on April 11 (8 blocks away), that wasn't a problem. Now, he keeps returning to the old house (or rather the wooded area around it) and while he will let me get him (i.e. put him in the car and take him back to the new house) he will not come on his own accord. He can safely make it from the new house to the old so I know he could make it back if he chose. When I moved him to the new house, I kept him in for two weeks and he adapted well but was happy to go outside again. I don't know if I should allow him to just stay at the old house (he can't get it and the house will be sold soon) or keep bringing him back. Help, I don't really want to give up my baby. Thanks!
Kris,
At age 9, your cat is pretty well set in his ways. Cats tend to get very attached to their territory. Hence, it is no surprise he keeps going back to his old haunts. I am not sure you can ever get him to stay in your new home area, especially after only a couple of weeks of inside only. You can try keeping him inside for a month or two and see if that is enough time to get him to forget his old territory.
The real problem is that his old territory is too close to your current household, and so it is easy for him to lapse into his old ways.
Good luck and best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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