If you own an outdoor cat, you may sometimes wonder what they get up to when venturing outside the home. And there may be the odd sign which has you questioning their loyalty.
To help spot whether your puss could be ‘cheating’ on you with another household, Catrin George, animal wellbeing specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance shares the biggest clues to watch out for. And it's not as simple as lipstick on their collar.
Disappearing for longer periods of time
If cats begin to disappear for longer lengths of time, it could be down to spending time with another home. "Cats are naturally very curious creatures, so this sign alone is not enough to signal disloyal behaviour, but it is definitely worthwhile monitoring the lengths of time they seem to take on their adventures before returning home," said Catrin.
Putting on weight
If your cat is looking slightly more plump than usual, it may be visiting other homes for food. But it could also be an underlying health issue. Catrin said: "If you have any concern about your pet’s weight, always seek the advice of a vet.” If your cat is getting their tummy full elsewhere, they may even start to completely dismiss their usual food.
A shift in scent
Notice a new scent appearing around the house? "Whether they’ve picked up the smell of a friendly stranger’s perfume or now smell just like their second home, they have some explaining to do," said Catrin.
Change in body language
Cats aren’t famous for being the overly affectionate type but each cat is individual and it may be noticeable if they start behaving shiftily. Catrin says: “If you find your usually cuddly cat is starting to give you the cold shoulder, it could mean they are getting their affection fix elsewhere."
You catch them red-handed
Cats might be sneaky, but sometimes they aren’t so subtle about their mischievous antics. Catrin said: "If your cat is prowling around your street looking for attention elsewhere, you may hear reports of this through your neighbours - or even spot them on your local community’s social media posts."
