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david - 19 Jan 2005 23:12 GMT

Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
of my wife and I and having given her a lifetime of love we do not
understand her behaviour.

She came in tonight and had something to eat but as soon as my wife
walked into the room she looked scared and went out the catflap. She
seems to have changed in a couple of days from a sociable and loving
cat to a nervous and frightened cat. We hate to think of her staying
out in this cold weather. Has anyone got any ideas please ?

David

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Karen Chuplis - 20 Jan 2005 00:13 GMT

> Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
> time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> David

Block the catflap. Get her checked by a vet (15 y.o. should have a geriatric
panel done) as she may associate some pain with you even though you don't
know about it. Buy a Feliway diffuser. I would definitely keep the flap shut
though. She really CAN get frostbite.

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Rhonda - 20 Jan 2005 04:58 GMT

> Block the catflap. Get her checked by a vet (15 y.o. should have a
> geriatric panel done) as she may associate some pain with you even
> though you don't know about it. Buy a Feliway diffuser. I would
> definitely keep the flap shut though. She really CAN get frostbite.

Ditto! She could be very sick. They can act very strange when they don't
feel well, often hiding from their owners.

Whether it's medical or behavioral, don't let her go outside right now
until the problem is resolved.

Rhonda

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Alison - 20 Jan 2005 00:14 GMT

> Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
> time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> David

Hi David ,
The next time she comes in, close the cat flap so she can't go out.
provide her with a litter box if you don't already do so. She is not a
young cat so I would advise you to take her to the vet for a check up
in case there is something physical causing this change in her
behaviour.
Alison

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Cathy Friedmann - 20 Jan 2005 00:51 GMT

> Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
> time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> David

Don't let her out - block the catflap somehow, & make a vet appt. for her
ASAP. May be behavioral (anything different the house or about your wife -
esp. scent-wise just lately, for instance?), or maybe there's a medical
problem that's surfaced. Whenever a cat deviates from long-term routines,
there's usually a problem.

Cathy

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Phil P. - 20 Jan 2005 13:21 GMT

> Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
> time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> cat to a nervous and frightened cat. We hate to think of her staying
> out in this cold weather. Has anyone got any ideas please ?

Along with the other excellent suggestions you've received, ask your wife to
get a checkup including a blood test and x-rays. Sometimes an internal
disease affects a human's scent which a cat (or dog) can detect.

Phil.

"One small cat changes coming home to an empty house

to coming home". ---Pam Brown

Feline Healthcare and more: www.maxshouse.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline_Health_and_Behavior

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Karen Chuplis - 20 Jan 2005 18:42 GMT

>> Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
>> time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Feline Healthcare and more: www.maxshouse.com

That is an excellent idea Phil. Never even occurred to me, but it is VERY
true that they can suss out problems in humans before they know it.

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Phil P. - 21 Jan 2005 07:27 GMT

> >> Our cat, aged about 15, has suddenly decided to stay outside all the
> >> time. It is just above freezing at the moment. She seems frightened
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> >
> That is an excellent idea Phil.

Thanks, but I can't take the credit for the idea - I got it from a cat.

Never even occurred to me, but it is VERY

> true that they can suss out problems in humans before they know it.

It can also be a reason why a cat will attack or shun another cat after
living together in harmony for years.

Phil.

Among animals, cats are the top-hatted, frock-coated statesmen
going about their affairs at their own pace. --Robert Stearns
Feline healthcare http://maxshouse.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline_Health_and_Behavior

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Barb - 20 Jan 2005 15:44 GMT

All of the above, plus, is it possible that another cat or small animal came
in through the flap and scared her and you don't know about it?

--
Barb
Of course I don't look busy,
I did it right the first time.

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