Answer
Elijah:
My dad's cat (an indoor and outdoor cat, but still) went missing for almost a month and he still came home. It's very possible your cat will return. It's even possible your cat never left.
My cat has disappeared for long periods of time as well, but I've alway found him napping in weird places. You should take other peoples advise and put pictures up, and definitely call your local animal shelters and ask if anyone has brought your cat in.
Kai:
She might, but some depends on where you live and what things your cat may have to deal with out there. An indoor can hasn't learned how to do for herself so she's probably terrified (hopefully, you at least had her vaccinated up to date so she has less of a chance of being contaminated by another cat) and may be holed up somewhere that at least gives her some shelter and where she feels a little less exposed.
Hopefully, she hasn't been and won't be attacked by anything, hasn't been hit by a vehicle. If someone else hasn't taken her in, she could get brave enough to look for her home. So don't give up hope.
But you also should post pictures of her in and around your area, especially any vet offices, shelters, pet food places--anywhere people can see that you are looking for your cat, put a contact number too. And if she's got any unique i.d. things (a spot in a weird place, etc.), keep that to yourself so if anyone calls saying they have your cat, you can ask if they see anything special (so you can sort out the sadists from the real calls).
Make sure to look in the engines of the cars too since cats have been known to crawl under cars and up into the motor (or wheel hubs too) to get warm--and that can be very dangerous for them. If you know people in and around your neighborhood, call them and let them know to keep an eye out for your girl. Etc.
Zelda:
She may but START LOOKING! My cat went missing in July, and we are still looking for him. Remember that cats don't care about property lines or streets, look under and in everything.
Your cat is probably scared and hiding under a shed, it's hard to not call, but don't, they won't respond. If you think you're cat is in your yard, leave a door open and put food just inside it. If you live some where it's cold, you may want to think about putting a feral cat shelter out to keep your cat around.
Put food out, and if you have a video camera, set it up to tape the food so you can see if any cats come by. Make sure that if your cat has a micro chip it is registered, and if not, call all local animal shelters to inform them your cat is missing.
The key to this will be their markings, like "white with black butterfly on top of head". See http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-tips/lost-cat-behavior/ . This website is very helpful and informative. I wish you best of luck.
Nessa:
It's always possible... probable actually. Your cat may be closer than you think... many times a lost cat is only a few doors down!
#1) Get onto your local shelter's website through Pet Harbor.com and list your pet as LOST with details and a picture. Also.. check the FOUND section daily, as some people will turn a cat into the shelter, some will hold onto the animal until their owner is found. Most good people will post on Pet Harbor that a pet is FOUND and being held onto.
#2 Get onto Craigslist and list your cat under the Lost and found, as well as PETS section with a picture and description.
#3 Get onto facebook and search for Lost/Found groups in your area and share share share!!!!!
#4 Put a flyer up in your OWN yard saying you are missing a cat.. with picture and description.
#5 Post flyers around town
#6 Give flyers to all local Vets/Groomers/Pet Stores
#7 Don't give up and be PROACTIVE in finding her!!! :) best of luck to you
Blue:
In reply to those asking about spay/neuter, my male cat used to roam all the time, and after I got him neutered, he still does. Sometimes that will stop a cat from roaming, but not always. And op, just because you call your cat an indoor cat doesn't mean that she wants to be.
My cat will disappear up to a day or two and always come back afterwards. It's a cat thing. My little sister is trying to keep her kitten inside and she wants to go out all the time. Eventually, she'll get out, come home, and my sister realize that you really can't control them. haha
Grace:
She might be stuck somewhere, so search very thoroughly. If you think she escaped, put up posters and ask at your local shelter if your cat has been dropped off.
Go to the last place you saw her, or if you think she escaped outside, to the front or back door. Put a piece of clothing you have worn for a while on the ground with the cats water bowl. Don't put any food there if it's outside as it will attract other animals. Check as often as you can. Many people swear by this.
Maria:
Well let's say there's a 50/50 chance
Sometimes they just explore and do stuff and then will come back , give it a week max.
But unfornutely bad things also happen. :/
But if i were you, look for her everywhere~ such as her favorite hiding/sleeping places. Remember: Cats take looonng naps, so you never know- maybe while you're stressing about your cat, she's taking a nice nap somewhere in a comfy place.
I hope you find her :)
Lex:
So cats are pretty smart creatures. I have 6 mind you, yes cat lady I know.
So two of my cats got out at the same time. (We have a pen so the cats can go in and out of the house into the pen)
Anyway, two of my boys got out. when I got home, Bruce (named after Batman) was hanging out by the trash cans by the side of the house. He popped right back insides.
Then the other one (named Forrest after Forrest Gump) is younger and I got about a year ago. I went in the backyard and made a cat noise to call him (which is weird, I know)
and my little puff ball trotted out of the woods.
So, yes, it's very possible.
I would put up flyers, contact local shelters to see if anyone has found a cat, and post on Facebook. Also, try putting food outside. Cats will always come back to where they get fed.
Narissa:
Honestly NO way to tell. You have stories of peoples cats who ran away
for days or months and returned, or leave for days at a time all the
time. Than you have other people who have their cats get out and never
return because they got picked up, died or get hopelessly lost. Only
time will tell, if it's been 72hrs, your cat probably is not coming
home.
