Other Behavior Issues

Q.: I don't know what sex the cat is or how old it is. My question is can a cat be damaged by living 6 different places within 10 weeks? And if there is a risk that an indoor cat that is outside during the day for a couple of weeks will later run away? It's not my cat but I'm one of the foster mothers.

A.: An elderly cat would probably be very frustrated by such an unsettled life, whereas younger cats are better at adjusting to different surroundings. But it is also a question of the individual cat's personality; just like with humans, some are better at coping with change than others.
Therefore I think you will have to rely on your knowledge of the cat. If it seems frustrated, you may have to let him lead a more quiet life for a period.
Frustration in cats often shows as bad litter box habits and/or the cat being more "clinging" than usual.
I don't think that a couple of weeks' outdoor life will give the cat so much appetite for this that it would later be difficult to keep it inside. But again, cats are individualistic. If he misses outdoor life, you may find that he is often found at doors and windows and that he is always around you when you're about to go out etc.. Maybe he will even scratch on the front door now and then.
If, on the other hand, you find that he seems happy with his life as it is, I don't think there'll be a problem here.

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