Will My Cat Leave Me for Someone Else?

 

Recently, I received a message from one of my Cat Adoption Guide followers. They were heartbroken and confused:

“My cat goes outside and disappears for three days sometimes a whole week before coming home. Could she be leaving me for someone else?”

It’s a question many cat parents ask, especially when their once-devoted feline starts vanishing for long stretches. The answer isn’t simple, but it’s rooted in instinct, environment, and emotional safety.

 

Why Unsterilized Cats Wander

If your cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, wandering is almost guaranteed. Male cats (tomcats) will patrol their territory, seeking mates and defending their turf from rival males. Female cats will roam in search of a suitable mate, often traveling several blocks or even into wooded areas to find one.  This behavior isn’t abandonment. It’s biology. But it can lead to heartbreak, injuries, disease (FIV or FeLV) and unwanted litters if left unchecked.

 What If My Cat Is Sterilized?

If your cat has been fixed and still disappears for days, it’s time to look inward. Cats are deeply sensitive to change. Even small disruptions like a new pet, a visiting relative, or a shift in household routine can trigger stress. When cats feel anxious or displaced, they may seek comfort elsewhere. A quieter yard. A neighbor who feeds them. A space that feels safer or more familiar.

 A Story from My Own Backyard

Several years ago, a black cat began visiting my backyard feeding station. He never left. After six months, his original owners finally appeared. They explained that they’d adopted a young queen cat with kittens, and their senior male now 15 had been pushed outdoors because she didn’t tolerate him.

He wandered just four blocks away and chose my yard as his new home. He wasn’t lost. He was displaced and he made a choice.

 Do Cats Leave Their People?

Yes, sometimes they do. But it’s not about betrayal. It’s about survival, comfort, and emotional safety.  Cats don’t stay where they’re merely tolerated. They stay where they feel loved, secure, and seen.

So, if your cat is wandering, ask yourself:

• Has something changed at home?
• Is your cat feeling stressed or excluded?
• Could another yard feel more peaceful or welcoming?

Cats choose the people they want to love. And sometimes, they choose again.

Bombay Cat and Green Clover Wall Clock

This Bombay cat with its shiny coat sure does look gorgeous with green clover contrast and this photo clock makes or a fabulous gift for cat lover.

Bombay Cat and Clover Wall Clock by Susang6

A few years ago this cat found my yard by the woods and decided to spend the summer with me.  At the time I thought he was visiting with the other neighborhood cats and going home at night.  But when six months past and weather started to change I realized that the cat had taken residency in my garden shed.



This regal looking black cat had ran away from his people after they had took in a queen cat and her kittens.    Know that I took many photographs of this mature cat, and that in the green clover photo he is age 16.  After reviewing all of the photographs I found that this photo was the best and that it works well when used as a wall clock

This clock would make a wonderful gift for a cat lover.  It is a good size wall clock for home office and will compliment any cat theme.



Bombay Cat Clock