Cats are known for their independent streak, but what if your beloved feline is living a double life? Here are 20 tell-tale signs that your cat might just be sneaking off to a second home.
1. Suspiciously Full Belly
Has your cat been skipping meals or showing up looking suspiciously plump? It might be dining elsewhere.
2. Glossy Coat
If your cat’s fur looks glossier than usual, consider whether someone else is grooming your kitty with premium cat products.
3. Unexplained Gifts
Finding unfamiliar toys or collars among your cat’s possessions? These could be gifts from another admirer.
4. Disinterest in Treats
When your cat turns up its nose at the treats it used to love, it might be getting spoiled with fancier fare elsewhere.
5. Overly Familiar Strangers
Does your cat seem unusually friendly with strangers or particular neighbours? It might recognize them from its other home.
6. Random Tags
If your cat comes home with a new collar or tag that you didn’t buy, that’s a pretty clear sign it’s been adopted by another family.
7. Odd Hours
Is your cat disappearing for hours or overnight, only to return as if nothing happened? These are classic signs of a second home.
8. Less Affectionate
If your cat seems less interested in cuddling with you, it may be getting its emotional needs met elsewhere.
9. Different Behaviours
Noticing new habits or behaviours? These could be picked up from interactions at another home.
10. Avoiding Home
A cat that suddenly seems to avoid spending time at home may feel equally comfortable, if not more so, elsewhere.
11. New Smells
A whiff of unfamiliar perfume or aftershave on your cat can be a clue that it’s been cozying up to someone else.
12. Lack of Interest in Play
If your cat shows a decreased interest in playing with you, it might be because it’s using up its energy playing elsewhere.
13. Knowledge of Unknown Spaces
Seeing your cat navigating neighbour’s yards or houses with too much familiarity? It’s likely been there before.
14. Extra Scratches or Petting Marks
If your cat’s fur shows signs of recent petting (like being brushed the wrong way), someone else might be showing them affection.
15. Social Media Sightings
Ever stumbled upon a picture of your cat on social media where it’s hanging out in unfamiliar territory? Time to investigate.
16. Unusual Litter Box Habits
A decrease in the use of the litter box could indicate your cat is doing its business elsewhere.
17. Neighbours’ Comments
When neighbours mention seeing your cat frequently, or even feeding it, the jig might be up.
18. Reluctance to Come Inside
If your cat hesitates or outright refuses to come inside, it might not want to leave its other home.
19. Increased Sleepiness
Appearing more tired than usual could indicate your cat is active elsewhere, exhausting itself at its other residence.
20. Bringing Home Other Animals
If your cat starts bringing home other animals, like other cats or even wildlife, it might be more comfortable in its second home.
Betrayed by Whiskers?
Discovering your cat’s double life can be quite the shock, but it’s just another proof of their independent nature. Maybe it’s time to consider setting stricter boundaries—or just getting a GPS tracker!
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nils Jacobi.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
