Dealing with a Lost Cat: What to Do When Fluffy Disappears
Recently, I’ve received messages from several friends asking, “My cat slips out as soon as I open the door, and I can’t find it. What should I do?” It’s indeed distressing for pet owners when their feline friends go missing suddenly.
The situation of a lost cat is not uncommon. According to a foreign study, about 3% of households in the United States lose their cats on average every year. While the stray cat population in the U.S. might contribute to this statistic, the occurrence of lost cats is not uncommon domestically, especially among indoor cats.
So, what should we do if we discover that our beloved cat is missing?
Step 1: Confirming if Your Cat is Truly Lost
In many cases, cats tend to hide rather than venture outside. This is especially true when moving to a new home. With the constant movement of items and a new environment, some cats, being naturally timid, might retreat and hide. Pet owners often experience the illusion of their cat being lost during such times.
During such moments, it’s essential to stay calm and thoroughly search all possible corners. Cats may hide in extremely inconspicuous places, making them hard to find. I recall a time when I moved houses, genuinely thinking my cat was lost. After an extensive search, I discovered my cat concealed within the narrow crevice of the sofa.
Step 2: Identifying the Escape Route
Now, let’s determine how your cat made its escape. Did it slip out through an open door, or perhaps it leaped out from an open window?
Identifying the specific escape route can significantly narrow down the search area and help in the quest to locate your missing feline friend.
Step 3: Assessing the Exploration Range Based on Your Cat’s Personality and Life Experiences
This step involves evaluating your cat’s exploration range by considering its personality and life experiences.
(1) For indoor cats that have been exclusively kept at home and may be less adventurous:
In such cases, the cat is likely to stay close by. If you’ve ever attempted to walk a cat on a leash or cared for a friend’s indoor cat, you might have observed their initial hesitation or tendency to find a hiding spot in unfamiliar environments. Cats, being creatures that crave security, often need time to adapt to new surroundings before becoming active. Therefore, expanding the search gradually in areas like hallways and corridors, with a focus on checking hiding spots such as shoe cabinets and clutter piles, is crucial. Last week, a friend’s cat went missing, and it was discovered concealed in a pile of debris on the rooftop.
If the cat escaped through a window, inspect places like window sills and air conditioning units, where it could easily hide.
(2) For cats with a history of roaming, bold personalities, or those that are semi-free-roaming/ free-roaming:
In these situations, the difficulty of the search may increase, as these cats might wander farther. If there are surveillance cameras in the hallways or the vicinity, accessing the footage could aid in tracking their movements.
Step 4: Broadening the Search Area
As you continue the search, it’s crucial to emphasize: avoid continuously calling its name. A cat feeling highly anxious in an unfamiliar environment won’t respond to your calls. It’s more effective to conserve energy and focus attention on finding the cat.
During the search, consider bringing along items with the cat’s scent, such as towels, a cat teaser, or treats. While their utility may vary, having familiar scents can be beneficial.
Step 5: What to Do After Finding Your Cat?
Sometimes, due to injury or excessive fright in an unfamiliar environment, your cat may be unwilling to let people approach.
In such cases, there’s no need to rush to pick it up. Instead, open a can of cat food or offer treats to help it relax and dispel any apprehension. Once it willingly comes out on its own, wrap it in a towel to provide added security.
What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Cat Anywhere?
If your cat has ventured outdoors, it might be challenging to locate it immediately. Cats are skilled at hiding, making it difficult for pet owners to find them through their own efforts.
However, don’t despair. Many pet owners have shared stories of their cats returning on their own after being missing for days or even weeks.
Apart from patiently waiting and hoping, there are several methods to increase the chances of finding your cat:
(1) Using Urine Odor to “Lure” Your Cat Back Home
Cats are highly sensitive to smells. Researchers Turner and Mertens discovered in a study that the urine markings of male and female cats on a farm were evenly distributed within their living area, not just along the boundaries. This insight suggests that we can scatter used cat litter around our homes, utilizing the scent of urine to guide our cats back home.
(2) Post Posters
Print some posters and display them at the entrances of your community and other places with significant human traffic nearby.
You can also post missing cat notices on platforms like FaceBook, mentioning and tagging cat-loving neighbors. The more people involved, the greater the collective effort!
(3) Search for Your Cat Again at Night
Cats are nocturnal creatures, and the quiet atmosphere at night encourages them to explore. Searching for your cat again during the night might increase the chances of success.
(4) Seek Help from Others
Reach out to individuals who regularly feed stray cats in the community, security personnel, janitors, as well as nearby rescue centers, adoption agencies, pet hospitals, and pet stores.
How Can We Prevent Cats from Getting Lost?
(1) The Most Important Thing: Always Close Doors and Windows
The most crucial measure is to always remember to close doors and windows. Adding screens to windows is highly recommended.
Managing doors can be challenging since cats tend to slip out when you least expect it. Pet owners can avoid this by paying close attention to their cat’s movements.
(2) In Situations Where Cats Are Prone to Getting Lost, Use Collars with Identification
In situations where doors and windows are frequently opened (such as during moving or transporting items), it’s advisable to proactively put a collar with identification on your cat. Include your contact information on the collar to significantly increase the chances of recovering your cat.
(3) Spay/Neuter Your Cat
Cats going out during their heat cycle for mating is a common reason for them getting lost, especially for male cats. Spaying/neutering can significantly reduce this risk.
Some pet owners may have concerns about spaying/neutering. To learn more about this, refer to:
Finally,
Wishing every cat a happy and healthy life at home, and hoping that every lost cat can reunite with its owner.