Poor kitty!

Last night, my husband was home from work and he decided to take the dogs out for a pee around midnight. Our brown tabby, Elliot, has had this fixation with going out lately. He is neutered by the way, so I'm not 100% sure what's triggering this behaviour. Everytime he sneaks out, we go get him and bring him right back inside. His brother Jacob, doesn't even seem interested in going out. Anyways, I guess Elliot snuck out of the house when Carlos took the dogs out, and he didn't notice as Elliot is quite dark and it was quite late. I was fast asleep, so I had no idea. Elliot must have gotten behind the house, because Carlos didn't see him when he came back. We usually don't look for them as they tend to like playing downstairs, so we assumed he was in the house safe and sound. BTW, none of our cats are outdoor cats, so this was purely an accident. I guess poor Elliot was outside all night long! :( When Carlos got up this morning, he heard him meowing so loudly from outside and let him in immediately. He was so scared! Jacob, started attacking him when he came in, and didn't stop for a good 10 minutes! Does anyone know why Jacob did that, and why does Elliot have this uncontrollable urge to get out lately? We think Jacob attacked him because he was mad at him for leaving the house, but I'm not sure.

I don't know why Jacob attacked Elliot, perhaps because he smelt different.

My cat also gets into obsessive moods where he's suddenly transfixed by something he didn't care about before. And until I either remove his option to do that thing or he gets tired of it on his own, then he'll go to any length to get it.

Perhaps if Elliot had a bad night, that'll curb his interest in the outdoors.

My cat has gotten out in the city once (found him playing in the neighbours yard) and stayed outside overnight 3 times in the wilderness (one night it even froze overnight). I freted each time (and figured he'd been eaten bu a bear) but he showed up each morning and now he still would go outside if he could. Though sometimes I'll either hold him outside or let him on the ground with supervision.

Maybe Jacob attacked Elliot because he smelled differently after being in new surroundings all night. Not really sure though, just a thought. I have a foster that is constantly trying to get out, he's quick too! Back at my parent's house we have three bichon frise's that will run off if they are ever given a chance. My mom does in home daycare and once, when i was away at school, one of the kids accidently let our youngest bichon, abby, out. Abby tore off, of course, and my mom was alone with the children in the house (two babies were asleep and a couple of kids were awake) so she couldn't run out and chase her. My mom said she was so nervous, tried calling a few people she thought might be home to come out and help without much luck, and then about an hour later there was scratching at the door. Abby flew in the house with her tail down between her legs as soon as my mom opened the door and hid under the bed for the rest of the night. After that, she never tried to get out again, so maybe this night outside will cure Elliot of his desire to get out. :)

I never even thought that Jacob might have attacked him because he smelled different! That makes sense though. I really hope his 6 hours outside alone has taught him not to go out without mommy or daddy! I usually harness and leash them with a huge 20' leash and let them explore the front yard, but never alone! I was shocked when Carlos told me about it. When we looked at the door, the door frame is all scratched up. The poor thing must have wanted in so badly! It scares me too, because we have a lot of coyotes that frequent the area. I'm just glad he's safe and sound, and I hope he stops trying to run out. It's only in the spring/summer that he tries this. Never in winter, because he's afraid of the cold! Silly kitten! :o

I suspect Jacob attacked him for the same reason he would have if Elliot had been the vet or somewhere else with strange smells. Cats use their smell to figure things out and if the other cat smells differently, that would definitely affect Jacob. He probably did not recognize Elliot! (This happens also in multicat families when one cat has been away to the vet).

If Elliot encountered any intact toms on his big night out, he may have been sprayed by one them, and that would make Jacob very uncomfortable and not recognize Elliot.

I suggest you wipe Elliot down and then rub Jacob with the same cloth.

Okay. Thanks for the tip Lucky! :)

That's a great tip Lucky!! I am so happy things worked out for Elliot -even if poor Jacob was unhappy with the new smell. Poor baby - and I like you hope it means he won't want to venture out now!