UK cat advice- domestic cat desperate to be outdoors all the time.
To start, I live in the UK in a quiet and safe area and my boy is free to roam. If this doesn’t align with your beliefs on cats’ access to the outdoors please don‘t feel the need to comment.
My boy is coming up to 1yo and has always loved going outside. He used to come back tired and cuddly, and ready for his tea. the past couple of months he’s desperate to be out all the time. Sometimes he doesn’t even bother coming home for his dinner and stays out all night. If he does come in and go to sleep in the house he’s howling to go out again at 2:50am and damaging the windows trying to get them to open. Catflap is not an option because when I had one he would be bringing in multiple catches a day and rip them to pieces around the house, then straight back out again to catch another one.
He was not a feral kitten, and has been with me since 12 weeks old. He is neutered. I’ve always had very strict routines so there’s no change in the house that would trigger anything. He has the best of everything; food, toys, blankets, beds etc. He’s not interested in any of it, only going outside.
He is collared. He’s not being fed elsewhere as he will only eat off his feeding mat, and when he does eventually come in he’s ravenous anyway.
I’ve had cats before but he is some sort of wild beast I swear. I got another cat because I live alone and wanted the company, but I’m really struggling with how difficult this situation is. He used to be cuddly and want to spend time with me. Ignoring him howling doesn’t work, he continues to yowl for hours. Telling him off doesn’t work either. Has anyone else had a similar situation? Is there anything I can try? Will this get better?