Do cats always come back?
Cats are known for being wanderers disappearing for days at a time. But do cats always come back? Well, most of the time they do. However, there are some instances where cats do not come back. We’ll cover both of these here.
Cats Always Come Back for Safety
Cats look for safety. Their top priority is always having a secure home with a consistent supply of food. They detest change, and their main attachment will be to a place rather than a specific individual. Cats do not feel the need to investigate other choices because they realize they have a safe home with a source of food.
Although cats eventually build ties with people, they are first prevented from doing so by their desire for safety and food. They appear to have an innate sense of where they are when they are in it, and they are adept at returning there after a search of the immediate vicinity.
Cats Always Come Back for Bonds With People
Studies have shown that cats prefer human attention and love over food and toys. Once your cat feels safe with you, they’re more likely to come back home. Believe it or not, cats are far more social than we give them credit for. And being around their favorite people is enough appeal to get them to come back home.
Cats Don’t Always Come Back Because They Get Lost.
While most cats have a keen sense of direction, some cats don’t seem to have this. The biggest factor in determining whether your cat will get lost is if they’re used to the outdoors. Outdoor cats have a lot of experience exploring their surroundings. They’re not easily spooked by things outside, and so they keep calm and collected.
As such, outdoor cats are better at remembering how to get home and can navigate their way back there easily. Indoor cats, on the other hand, are more likely to get flustered and forget where they came from. Sometimes this is the reason cats don’t come back.
Cats Don’t Always Come Back Because They’re Stolen.
In some cases, cats don’t come back home because they’re stolen. All it takes is for someone to take an interest in your cat because of their appearance or personality. In fact, thousands of cats are stolen each year in the United States. Of these, 10% are purebred cats.
Whether or not your cat is purebred will play a big part in its being stolen. Purebreds like Maine Coons and Bengal cats are coveted. They’re also very pricey animals, and a thief who knows what they’re worth might sell them.
