This little female cat is constantly running away from her owner’s house. Why does she do this, and what can be done to stop it?

Question

I adopted 7-year old brother & sister cats in January. I kept them inside the house for 3 months before letting them outside. They are my only pets and I adore them. My problem is with the female cat who is constantly running away, goes into other peoples’ houses, hangs out on the street in traffic, etc. She was just nicked by a car a few weeks ago and I kept her indoors till she recovered from her limp. Then last week I discovered a neighbor had kept her locked up for a couple days thinking she was a stray (she had lost her collar, again!). I’m keeping her in the house again while getting another collar, but I’m at my wit’s end about what to do. She has the best of everything: food, fresh water, affection, toys, and there are no dogs around. Why does she continually run away? Should I not let her out at all?

Hi Theresa
When you say your cat has the best of everything, do you think she agrees with you? Because I don’t.
You see if this cat was content with her lifestyle and with you, she would not be running away. And that just about sums the whole thing up in a nutshell.

My guess is there is something not to her liking which is the reason she is leaving home. Again I am going to guess it’s a food related grievance and the only way to find out is to give her a permanent, self service smorgasbord of all her favourite foods.
Remember she’s not interested in cost or what the expert said, or all the vitamins but rather in what she wants to eat. And it better be ‘that’ or she’ll continue running away and eventually meet her maker on a busy road.
Good luck.
Glynne