Ziggy is relishing total freedom. He had difficulty manipulating the metal cat door, and we eventually removed the flap completely, planning to install a perspex one when our handyman has time to do it. Once he (Ziggy, not the handyman) was totally free, he took to staying out all night. We worried about “our boy”, and found him on neighbours’ properties a couple of times.
We delivered a flyer to all the neighbours, with a photo and a plea to please not encourage or feed Ziggy if he comes to visit. We gave our phone number and asked if anyone saw him, to call us and we would come and retrieve him. One neighbour told us Ziggy has made friends with her cat, often comes to visit, and she has seen them both crossing the road together at night :-(. Other neighbours have phoned to alert us that he’s in their yard. Some nights we’re aware that he goes in and out several times – prowling. In the daytime he’s usually happy to sleep on chair or bed, conserving his strength for his nighttime rambles.
We’ve never had this kind of behaviour from a cat before. But then we’ve never had a young (mainly) male cat before either. He loves cuddles, and we’ve noted his grey/silver markings seem to be getting darker, maybe because of being outdoors more. He’s happy to catch and eat flies, spiders, and any other insect he spies. At least he hasn’t killed any birds – yet!
“This inquisitive roving lad
does not stay home at night – too bad!)
He’s beautiful. The young, mainly male cat next door is a night roamer. Seems to be part of growing up.
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Yes – I wonder how long this adolescent phase will last.
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Not too long I hope. The wee cat I know was soundly beaten in a dispute a week ago and he has been very subdued since. However I expect he will be out to test his strength again soon.
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That’s sad.. I don’t know of any aggressive cats in our neighbourhood, and I guess Ziggy will just have to take his chances.
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We inherited a 3yr male stray from the west coast last year. After our last cat lost a leg from being hit by a car 10yrs ago we have had a rule of indoors at night. We wondered how this cat would cope but after a couple of 3ams stern talks he sleeps through till his let out time of 6.30am. I don’t know how a young energy full cat would cope with being locked up though. They are a worry, especially with one being so lovely looking as your Ziggy.
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He is beautiful, and we love him dearly. We just hope he will soon learn that home is best.
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Our Mum has a curfew for us. When it gets to about 6:30pm or so, she turns the lock on the flap so that we can’t go back outside. Most unfair, I think … cos I like to dance at night. In front of the windows so my Mum can see me, but not get me! And I can leap, frolic and chase bugs that are out then!
Still … she gives us our dinner when we are both in for the night, and it is okay. I’m used to it now.
Love Murphy xxx
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Darling Murphy,
I’m pleased to hear you’ve grown into such a good obedient boy. I hadn’t learned until yesterday that there are doors where you can mechanically set in or out or both, and I didn’t fancy the electronic ones. I’m hoping Ziggy will be less inclined to roam as he matures, but I’m not certain about that.
Love to you and Marco.
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Oh he is beautiful. Our vet advised us to keep Jazz and PG(his brother) in at night because of road tragedies. We did this but Jazz objected to it mightily all his life. PG was more than happy to be a couch potato come sundown. He was a more retiring cat by nature. I think Jazz was such a sociable cat that he would have invited his friends home via a cat door had we had one!
Be safe Ziggy (of the Stardust it would seem!)
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OG, the road is the greatest hazard. Maybe Ziggy’s more likely to learn road sense if he’s out there more. He is definitely sociable – with both cats and humans.
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Skipper brought in a rat tonight…and I suspect he didn’t wander far to get it!
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I suspect there’s plenty of those around our way too, especially near the river. I trust it was dead when he brought it in.
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Ziggy is adorable! I had a large tom a few years ago who was wanderer – we eventually had to just keep him inside… which made all of us pretty miserable.
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I think we’d all be miserable too if we constrained him. He stayed inside all of last night (I think). We just hope as he gets older he’ll have less urge to wander.
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I suggest that what you are seeing is normal behaviour for cats! And maybe for some years…..
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I fear you may be right.
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