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Moving to a new house.
The arrival of a new baby or a new pet.
Loud construction or renovations.
Consistent conflict with another animal in the home.
4. Seeking a “Second Home”
Sometimes, a cat isn’t lost—they’ve just found a better deal. If a neighbor is putting out high-quality wet food or offering a quieter nap spot, your cat might start splitting their time until they eventually just stay where the “room service” is better.
5. Illness or Injury
There is an old myth that cats go away to die. While they don’t consciously choose to leave to spare your feelings, an injured or sick cat will instinctively seek out a dark, quiet, and secluded place to hide while they feel vulnerable. Unfortunately, this often means they hide too well to be found.