The cat ran away from home, how to find it, what to do

Why are cats so attracted to open windows?

Cats' instincts are well developed, but they work somewhat differently than those of humans. Moreover, it is the animals who become hostage to instincts in this situation.

No fear of heights

Cats are inquisitive creatures by nature, and their evolutionary lack of fear of heights prevents them from feeling danger. These animals are excellent at climbing trees, hunting birds. Therefore, nature made sure that hunting was as effective as possible, depriving cats of the fear of falling.

Life within four walls forces a cat to seek new experiences and sensations. The apartment is a completely explored space, there are no new smells or sounds, and most of the time nothing interesting happens. But there is always something interesting going on outside the window.

Lack of sunlight and fresh air

Not only people suffer from stuffiness and lack of light. Animals also need fresh air and ultraviolet light to stay healthy and vigorous. This need increases in domestic cats that constantly live in an apartment without the opportunity to roam freely.

My own compass

Zoologists are still unclear how cats find their way home. People know about this amazing ability from their own experience: cats, traveling tens and hundreds of kilometers, returned to their native spaces months and even years later! The first theory: cats navigate by the stars and the sun. It was refuted by a German scientist. Another theory about how cats find their way home is that these animals remember the route without even seeing the road. Zoologists from the USA also refuted this theory: the cats were euthanized with sedatives and taken far from home, but the pets still accurately determined the direction.

Zoologists believe that cats navigate by subtly sensing electromagnetic fields, which, like sea currents, “carry” them to familiar terrain. It is noteworthy that street cats have excellent orientation, but domestic pets managed to return home on their own in only two out of ten cases.

How to find an escaped cat

If you come home and the cat is not there, carefully inspect all the rooms. It is likely that the cat could hide somewhere and fall asleep. There are often cases when a cat sleeps at home in a secluded place and does not respond to the call, and the owners decide that it has run away. As a result, a lot of wasted nerves, energy and time searching for the animal.

If you didn’t find the cat at home and it still ran away, don’t rush and run outside. Before you go searching, stock up on everything you need.

What to take to find a missing cat

1. Cat bowl with food.
2. Treat for a cat.
3. The cat's favorite toys (preferably with a sound, for example, with a ball inside).
4. Flashlight.
5. Binoculars
6. Net.
7. Towel.

You should take a bowl of food if you feed your cat dry food. When searching, shake the food bowl a little so that the sound of food moving in the bowl can be clearly heard. Hearing familiar sounds, a hungry cat may come out of hiding.

You'll need a treat to lure your cat in when you spot her. Domestic cats are very shy. There are a lot of extraneous sounds and noise on the street. Even after hearing a familiar voice, the cat will not leave a secluded place out of fear. If the cat ran away more than a day ago, it will get hungry. It will be much easier to lure her out of hiding with a treat.

You can also use your favorite toy to lure your cat out of hiding. The toy's own scent will attract the cat.

You will need a flashlight if the search began late in the evening or lasted until night. You will also need a flashlight to spot a cat in the dark by its glowing eyes. You've probably seen how cats' eyes reflect light in the dark. This effect will greatly benefit you if you take a flashlight with you.

Binoculars will help you a lot when you are looking for a cat in the trees. Out of fear, the animal can climb very high and you will hardly be able to spot the cat behind the crown of leaves without binoculars.

You may also find a net useful in your search. A rare thing these days, of course. You can ask and borrow it from an animal welfare fund; today almost every city has such a fund.

You will need a towel to wrap your cat when you catch him. Firstly, you will immobilize her, thereby preventing her from running away again from the fright she experienced. Secondly, you will warm up. Domestic cats are not used to the cold. Thirdly, the cat may be dirty, or it could have been marked by cats, which is very unpleasant and happens quite often.

Where to look for a missing cat

• As we have already said, first of all, inspect the apartment where the cat lives. It is likely that she fell asleep and simply does not want to come out of hiding.
• If the cat escaped from the house through an open window, inspect the area under the windows. Sadly, falling from a height does not always end well.
• Entrance. Cats, when running out of an apartment, usually run down the staircase. However, if someone is coming up from below or there is noise, the cat may also climb the stairs. Carefully inspect all floors, as well as all secluded places in the entrance. On the first floor, inspect the niche under the stairs, check behind the battery. If your home has a garbage disposal, inspect it carefully on all floors.
• If the house has a basement, it is worth inspecting that too. This is a favorite and warm hiding place for cats. The cat could also have entered the basement through a window from the street.
• Carefully inspect the yard, trees, bushes, nearby entrances, under parked cars.
• Inspect the road and sides. A domestic cat not accustomed to vehicle traffic could have been hit.
• Garbage collection area, containers. A hungry cat can look for food and hide there.

While searching, do not forget to constantly call your pet by name. Rattle her favorite toy, shake her food bowl. Listen to sounds from time to time. A hungry or injured cat may meow.

Steps

Part 1

Act quickly

Make sure the cat is not in the house.
Read also:  How to bathe a kitten for the first time, at what age and how often can you wash a cat. How to wash cats.

Cats love to climb into boxes and sleep in secluded places. Before raising the alarm and causing panic in children, it is necessary to completely make sure that the cat is really not in the house. Call her while holding a bowl of food. Take a quick look around her favorite spots and check to see if there are any open windows or doors in the house.

• Don't forget to check out the garage and garden. Perhaps the cat is simply basking in the grass. Look under the car and other warm places where cats like to sleep.

• Find helpers and inspect the area around the house.

  If your cat has recently disappeared, there is no need to panic. Ask family members and neighbors to check out the area around your home. Cats are not big fans of traveling and usually don't go far.

  Call the police.

  If you have a purebred cat, you might want to contact the police. Pedigree cats are not cheap, so it happens that they are stolen. Don't forget to bring a photo and description with you.

• Bring a photo and description of the cat. This will greatly help the police.

Try to make sure the cat doesn't run away on its own. Don't waste the police's time.

Part 2

Let others know about your search

1. Post missing cat notices.

   Has your cat been out for several hours? Search more efficiently. Make an announcement on your computer and ask your friends to post copies on all the poles nearby.

   Contact animal shelters.

   Your cat may have already been found and taken to a shelter. Take the time to go in and make sure that your cat is not with them. There are also organizations that help with the search process. Search the Internet to see if they are in your city.

Part 3

Catch the cat and take care of it

1. Approach the cat carefully.
   Read also:  How to stop a cat from tearing up the sofa - possible means and methods

   Use caution when you find a cat. Your pet may be scared or injured. Call your friends to stop the cat from running away and try to talk to it. Pay attention to potential escape routes and try to predict her movements. Approach slowly and, if possible, hold food in your hands. Give your cat time to sniff your hand and trust you. Carefully pick up the animal.

   • If your cat has a visible wound, be extremely careful not to make the situation worse or cause unnecessary pain.

   Make sure it's your cat! Similar animals are sometimes difficult to distinguish. Look for special signs and also try to see if the cat recognizes you.

2. Make sure your cat is comfortable.

   If she has been missing for a long time, then you should not traumatize her even more. Let her rest for a few days and feed her more. Talk to her and show her how much you love her.

   • Do not let your cat outside immediately after returning. She needs to find her identifying marks and get used to the place again.

   If you decide to let your cat outside again, take her for walks together. Let her walk around first. Every day the walking area can be expanded.

3. Take your cat to the vet.

   If the cat has been missing for several days, it will be better if it is examined by a specialist. Injuries such as rib fractures can be difficult to recognize. Your cat could also have contracted a skin disease.

   • If you find a wound on your cat, do not delay visiting a doctor. The infection spreads very quickly.

   Don't forget to take your cat's medical card with you. It may be useful in treatment.

Olga and Lilu

A cat always lands on all fours. But paws are just paws to carry the cat away. Lilu has been living with Olga for more than 2.5 years. The first floor, the open balcony, and the birds beckoning outside the window once played a cruel joke on both the cat and the owners. And if, as the saying goes, cats walk on their own, then Lilu, who was completely at home and had never seen the street, walked by herself along the balcony frame. The result is a fall and subsequent disappearance.

For five whole days, Lilu hid in the basement of her own house and did not respond to the call of her owners.

“Actually, she has fallen several times already,” Olga, Lilu’s owner, told us. “However, I always waited patiently under the tree by the balcony.” This time everything happened differently: they came to pick up the cat, but there was no trace of her. What to do? Search, of course! On weekends, several times a day they walked around their own and neighboring yards, calling him by name and the good old “kitty-kitty-kitty” method - there was no result.

Olga and her husband methodically searched for the cat for several days, mostly in the evening when they came home from work. We literally walked around every bush, but nowhere was there even a hint of Lilu’s presence. The Lost came herself five days later: she sat under the window, as if she knew that they should see her. And so it happened: Olga’s neighbor saw the cat in the window and immediately notified the owners. Olga’s husband, rushing towards the disappearance... missed Lila: the animal disappeared into the nearby basement.

“I took time off from work and rushed home. I armed myself with her favorite food in a bag and made my way into the basement, trying to feed her, but, apparently scared, she didn’t want to go into her hands at all. I didn't grab it on the first try. What’s curious: when I came to catch Lila, about eight yard cats came running to my call. Whether to feed or to respond to a call is unclear. So, maybe it was they who scared her so much and drove her into the basement? — Olga shares the story of catching a cat.

Five days of stress and searching are now behind us. Beautiful Lilu is at home - washed, fed, caressed.

The cat came into the house: signs

If you are lucky enough to find a kitten, this is a good omen. There is no need to rush to get rid of it or try to give it to other people. Perhaps this creature will bring good luck to your home. That's why you shouldn't rush to place the animal in the wrong hands.

Newlyweds who find a stray cat will soon be expecting a new addition to the family.

A pregnant cat came to give birth in someone else's house, which means she considers this place favorable with good energy. We need to help her give birth, and leave the newborn kittens at home. She will reciprocate kindness by attracting good luck for her owners.

Important! We need to shelter a cat that ran into the house. The animal senses when help is needed. Will be able to remove negative energy and prevent trouble

It will be able to remove negative energy and prevent trouble.

If a cat has found its way to the house, you need to take it home. It is believed that the beast will bring good, will divert the witchcraft powers that evil people sent to the family. The arriving animal must be fed, and if it wants to leave, it must be released. There is a belief that cats that come to visit are deceased relatives. This is how they visit their loved ones.

Since ancient times, the cat in all countries was considered a mystical creature, so it was treated with respect. In Ancient Egypt this animal was revered as sacred. An offended animal could punish the offender by sending misfortunes and illnesses upon him.

The house has positive energy and good treatment of animals - only under such conditions will a cat live here. If an animal shits, damages furniture and bites for no reason, it means that it will try to leave this place.

You can ignore superstitions, but you should know the signs for your peace of mind and try not to violate them. All beliefs were collected over many years, based on observations of animals. Many of them can be useful and protect you from troubles.

Yard, stray cats and male cats

The situation with pets is much easier to solve than getting rid of barn or stray cats, cats or kittens. Unfortunately, the population of such stray animals is constantly growing, and often we ourselves are to blame for this. Someone simply threw a domestic cat (cat) into the street. And someone, out of their kindness, constantly takes leftover food outside to feed these animals. As a result, it turns out that animals breed and multiply without any control, and we also feed them because we feel sorry for them!

But here, too, there are different options when you need to get rid of such animals.

First: A cat (cat or kittens) has chosen your entrance to the house. It’s a little easier to get rid of here. First, you need to completely remove all food sources from your entryway. Talk to your neighbors, explain the situation to them, and let each of them keep an eye on it. Secondly, it is necessary to remove cozy shelters for these animals. Cover nooks and crannies, remove soft cloths from under doors, treat all nooks and crannies with special repellents.

Many people often use bleach as such repellents. It’s enough to just occasionally wash the floors in the entrance with water with the addition of banal “Whiteness”. But the bad thing is that gradually the animals get used to this frightening and unpleasant smell for them and stop reacting to it. It is best to use a natural repellent, which is sold in pet stores or veterinary pharmacies. This repellent is created on the basis of dog pheromones, and for a cat (cat or kittens) it will be associated with their enemy - the dog.

These two techniques will help you quickly get rid of stray cats of any gender, and for a long time, if not forever!

Second: You have a private house with a yard where strange cats wander in. This option is much more difficult, you won’t fill the entire yard with dog repellent! This is especially troubling for those owners who have their own yard cat, and the neighbor’s cats constantly come to visit her. Simply getting rid of your cat is not a solution to the problem; shooting a rogue cat is also not an option. But you don’t want to then adopt the kittens that your cat will have!

Action instructions

In the city

What to do if a cat goes missing in the city? If your cat is lost, the most effective time to find it is early in the morning, from about four to seven o'clock. It is at this time of day that there is silence, it is easier for him to hear your voice. Look under wheel rims and under cars. It would also be a good idea to look at the trees if your cat is lost.

Alternatively, you can take a treat that your pet loves or one that has a strong smell. This may make it easier for you to lure the animal out. Use different signals if your cat responds to certain sounds. For example, this could be the sound of food hitting a metal bowl.

We call the cat in a gentle voice so as not to frighten him again. If a kitten is lost, you should ask grandmothers, young mothers and anyone who spends a lot of time outside. When talking, you need to describe the animal in detail, and leave a contact phone number just in case. Many people, when they learn about missing cats, happily agree to help. You can also ask the janitors, as well as those people who feed stray cats.

Most people respond well to such an incentive; some can help find a furry one for free. If the cat is lost and you think he is on the street, look for him in the pack. When a pet finds itself on the street, it experiences shock, and when it leaves, it can join the stray cats. Also, if your cat is lost, you can write a post on a social network and ask your friends to share it and help in the search.

In the forest

How to find a missing cat in the forest and what to do? There is no need to panic, you need to calm down and think about the reason for the loss of the animal. Maybe something really scared him? While combing the area, go and call the cat affectionately. Be sure to use a gentle tone so as not to frighten the poor animal even more.

Also, it is worth talking with residents of settlements that are located near the forest. Perhaps someone will see the pet, post advertisements. When searching, carefully inspect the trees, as the cat could easily climb there. In any case, do not despair, since pets in search of food will always go closer to people, to houses.

In the country

If it so happens that you took your cat to the dacha, and he got lost there, it is better to concentrate your search in the area. Unspoken statistics say that, for example, in the summer season, more than half of cats get lost in dachas. If you have the same situation, you need to post as many advertisements as possible in your dacha community and in neighbors. Be sure to ask your neighbors in the country if they have seen your pet, describe it in detail. What else can you do if a cat goes missing in the country?

If the cat has disappeared at the dacha, place a bowl of food for your animal. This will increase the likelihood that the furry animal will return. Don’t despair and don’t forget that anything can happen to your pet, not necessarily a bad one. So, a cat lost in the country can suddenly be found near a city house, waddling around.

How to avoid becoming a victim of scammers

An effective way to find a cat is to post an ad. On social networks and on specialized city boards you can find posts about missing animals. In practice, scammers often respond to advertisements. Especially if the post about the missing animal indicates a willingness to give a reward for the find. Each such call must be treated carefully and not make rash decisions.

If a person finds someone else's cat and shelters it, he is usually as open to dialogue as possible. The finder willingly tells the details, does not get confused in the testimony and readily answers the owners’ questions. Fraudsters provide a minimum of information and try to get an advance payment or full reward before meeting the owners. The statement that a person has found exactly the cat referred to in the ad should raise red flags, as should blurry photographs in which it is impossible to see and recognize the animal, or a refusal to send a photograph altogether.

A good solution to prevent extortion would be to ask to look for non-existent signs on the cat. You can ask if the animal has a white spot on the inside of its hind leg. The scammers confirm the presence of such marks, adding that they will not be able to keep the cat for long and will be forced to release or throw it away. They create a stir, taking advantage of the helplessness and fear of the owners, putting moral pressure and intimidation that a tragedy could happen to the cat. Psychologists recommend arranging a meeting with the person who found the animal and analyzing in detail the following details of the dialogue:

Did he tell when and under what circumstances he found her?

If the answers to all or some of the questions are negative, then there is a risk that it is a scammer calling.

What not to do:

• immediately ask the finder about real signs, especially tell them yourself;
• express your willingness to pay part of the reward online before meeting the animal;
• to be scared and worried (if a person really found a cat, he will try to return it to the owners, otherwise he is only interested in the reward, so the owners will be shown acting and writing skills).

What to do if you can’t find the cat right away

If you can’t find the cat right away, this is completely normal, and you should continue your search without becoming discouraged or losing hope of success. Very often, cats are found in places where the search has already been carried out, and more than once, this especially applies to basements. In 90% of cases, a cat that runs out into the street or jumps out of a window ends up there. Over time, the cat, adapting, will increasingly go outside in search of food, and this will increase the chances of its detection.

In addition, both widespread announcements about the loss of a cat and the number of people involved in the search and methodically examining the area, which must be done repeatedly, increase the chances of success.

If you receive information from people about the appearance of a cat that matches the description, you should definitely check the information in person, standing next to the placed food to see the animal.

How long will it take for the cat to return?

There are cases where cats returned after months, or even years. According to statistics, 50% of lost cats can be found by their owners; in 65% of cases, cats return on their own, especially if the cat disappeared after a recent move or from the dacha - it is worth looking for it in its old and familiar place - at the same address. The intensity of the search, the consistency and repeated nature of the actions greatly increase the chances of success, so you should not be discouraged.

Video: how cats find their way home

The loss of a cat is a serious test for both the animal itself and its owner. A lost cat should be searched nearby immediately after its disappearance, carefully examining possible hiding places and gradually expanding the search area. You need to scan the area many times, since cats are very good at hiding. When searching, you definitely need a flashlight, since the eyes of a hiding cat are very clearly visible in the dark. Calling the cat, as well as luring with food, can be used with varying degrees of success. The chances of success are greatly increased by both increasing the number of people actively involved in the search for the cat and distributing notices about its loss. The possibility of the cat returning on its own cannot be ruled out. When looking for a cat, you should never despair and lose hope.

Lost cat: where to look?

The primary question, in our opinion, will not be “how” to search, but “where”: maybe the animal is not lost yet?

Start your search in your own home and thoroughly check all the closets, as well as the attic and basement: perhaps you accidentally locked your furry friend and he simply cannot get out.

Knock on all your neighbors and ask permission to inspect their plots, and if possible, their houses. The task is not an easy one, but the fact that a cat could visit a neighboring house and also fall into a trap there is more than real.

Look in dark, dry places - in dense foliage, bushes; perhaps in old pipes, boxes, crates, abandoned buildings.

Also, do not forget to raise your head and inspect the “second tier”: trees, roofs of houses, sheds and garages.

Be sure to return to the old search site - escaped cats tend to hide and not respond for several days, and only then, when they get hungry or calm down, speak up.

The duration of the search for the missing cat

The search for a lost animal has no statute of limitations.

Remember this. The animal can be found in a week or six months. There are cases when pet owners have already stopped all searches, and the cat returned home. Therefore, do not get tired of looking at information on websites about lost cats in your city and announcements that an animal has been found. Perhaps it was your cat who was found?! Don’t be lazy to call back and clarify information about the animal you found, and maybe even drive up and look at it. Something bad could happen to the cat that changed its appearance. And, your beautiful fluffy white cat could turn into a dirty gray pathetic ball of fur.

Where can I go for help?

Finding a cat if you did not immediately discover it was missing is not an easy task. If you have been searching for several days and there are no results, do not lose hope. It often happens that even if a cat is lost for several months, it can still be found. You can contact the temporary animal detention center in your city. Your pet can also end up there if it was caught on the streets.

As a rule, they are allowed to be picked up from there within five days. You can also call the newspaper and advertise. You can call the Search Service, if there is one, or the Pet Support Fund.

How can I make the search easier if this happens again?

Unfortunately, domestic cats disappear quite often: they fall out of windows and balconies, run away through doors out of curiosity or under the influence of sexual instincts. Most often, owners have to look for pets that have free access to the outdoors. It is necessary to start catching a missing animal as soon as possible. If you discover that your pet is not at home, you should prepare the necessary tools and devices that will help facilitate search efforts.

Things to find a pet Rationale Flashlight At night, the optical system of a cat's eyes reflects light from a lighting fixture, making it easier to find a missing animal. During the event, you will have to explore secluded and dark corners, so you cannot do without lighting. Finding themselves in an unfamiliar environment, cats most often leave their shelter when darkness falls, so a successful search is impossible without a flashlight.

But its presence is important not only in the dark. A flashlight will help you thoroughly check basements, ventilation and other technological openings in a residential building

Binoculars and other optical instruments Allow you to survey the search area at a considerable distance. In addition, the use of magnifying optics will not scare away an animal in a stressful situation. Using binoculars, it is convenient to view thickets of dense trees, hard-to-reach buildings and places. Favorite toys Often, once in an unfamiliar environment, a pet hides in secluded corners, watching what is happening from a hiding place. Having seen or heard its favorite toy, the animal can independently leave its temporary shelter, following a familiar mouse or ball. Pet's favorite treat If your cat loves dry food, you can periodically shake it in the jar. A familiar sound will lead a hungry traveler to the owner. Clicker This is a sound device that a cat associates with receiving a treat. If your pet has developed a stable reflex to the sound of a clicker, its use will help in searching for the loss.

In addition to various useful devices and devices, the owner must pull himself together, calm down and be patient. Only endurance and lack of panic will help return the missing animal home.

In Europe, microchipping is a common procedure that is done along with vaccinations. In our country, many have never heard of the method of identifying animals using a microchip, but veterinary clinics already offer this service.

Another advantage of microchipping is that the microchip does not need to be replaced. It is installed only once. And when the animal is found, it will be possible to easily determine the coordinates of its owner. In addition, in controversial cases, you will be able to prove that this is your pet.

Let you always have a current photo of your pet at hand. Don't just take a cute photo with your face. Take a photo of the entire animal so that you can easily identify it from the photo if necessary.

Organization of searches

The sooner the search begins, the greater the likelihood that you can find your lost pet. In addition, if the search is started in a short time, then the cat or cat that ran away will not go far

It is important not to be upset: a bad mood will definitely not help in catching a runner or fugitive

Before going out and searching other places where a lost pet may be, it is worth looking through the entire apartment. No matter how trivial it sounds, the animal can be in the room - it’s just hidden. Where can I find a cat in this case? Every inch should be searched. It is worth looking not only where the pet previously liked to spend time, but also in places uncharacteristic for it.

So, you should pay special attention to the following “shelters” for your pet:

• cabinets and cabinet space;
• mezzanine;
• space under the bathroom;
• under furniture;
• behind the curtains and others.

Possible places where an animal can hide

If a cat accidentally fell out of a window or jumped out of it in the excitement of the hunt, you should start searching for it in the nearby area. Serious injuries are likely if the animal falls from 8 floors or higher; lower options, as a rule, allow you to limit yourself to stress. The domestic cat doesn’t want to run anywhere; he dreams of returning to home.

How to find a dog if it runs away and gets lost

The main places where a missing pet can be found are:

• spaces under balconies;
• bushes;
• basements.

It’s worth starting your search by visiting these places.

It is important to understand that a domestic cat that finds itself in the city for the first time experiences fear, stress, and strives to hide from people, cars, and other animals that fill the streets, so you should start looking for your pet from secluded corners. Often a fallen cat is injured, albeit slightly, so it may not come to the owner’s call.

Important! During the search, you need to listen carefully; it is possible that the lost pet will make itself known with a barely audible meow. When learning what to do if a cat is lost, many owners use all available means: from visiting all basements to performing magical rituals and reading conspiracies.

It can be very difficult to find a kitten, since passers-by who see the baby on the street may decide that the owner has kicked him out and take the cat home with the best of intentions. Kind people can publish announcements about their findings on forums or in groups on social networks, so such posts should also be monitored when searching

When learning what to do if a cat is lost, many owners use all available means: from visiting all basements to performing magical rituals and reading conspiracies. It can be very difficult to find a kitten, since passers-by who see the baby on the street may decide that the owner has kicked him out and take the cat home with the best of intentions. Kind people can publish announcements about their finds on forums or in groups on social networks, so such posts should also be monitored when searching.

When developing a behavioral strategy and deciding what to do if a cat goes missing, you should not fall into despair. You can only return a fugitive home through active actions; tears cannot help your grief. Therefore, you shouldn’t be lazy, you need to walk through the surrounding yards every morning and evening after work, calling the cat by name, completely ignoring the sidelong glances of passers-by who are amused by someone else’s grief.

Note! In winter, the cat strives to warm up, so it can run into the next doorway in search of warmth. You can go around all the entrances of nearby houses

The most common places where missing cats try to stay warm are basements or porches

In the summer, it happens that a forgetful owner did not close the windows on the balcony, which is why the cat could fall, not onto the street, but onto the balcony of the apartments below. You can start your search with your neighbors. A cat can only enter the forest if it is located near the house.

Lost cat

The reasons why a cat is lost could be anything. He can slip through an unlocked window or an open door, run away from the house on his own, or get lost from fright in an unfamiliar place. The main role in this situation is played by the time when you discovered the loss. The sooner you realized that your pet is not at home, the better it will be. If the animal is dear to you, you will not regret either the time or money searching for it. Remember that when searching, every detail and minute is important, on which even the life of the animal sometimes depends.

Of course, you need to be alarmed if a kitten goes missing, since in most cases there are many dangers lurking for it on the street. Kids are afraid of cold, dampness, hunger and strangers. A kitten is unlikely to find its way home on its own, unlike an adult animal. Most often, he will look for a secluded place, meow pitifully and seek help from people. According to statistics, without human help, kittens die in 80% of cases, while an adult cat can get food for itself and survive.

According to statistics, if a pet goes missing, people find only 50% of cats, but 70% of dogs. However, 65% of cats that escaped and 7% of dogs return to their owners on their own.

Sorry, there are no surveys available at this time.

What to do if your cat goes missing

Your cat was basking on the sofa 15 minutes ago, but now she’s gone? You searched every corner of the apartment and only now remembered that the front door was not locked and, most likely, the animal jumped out into the entrance, and from there into the street? If you find yourself in this situation, you will not be envied. You have lost your cat.

When to start searching for a missing cat

As soon as you discover your pet is missing, immediately begin searching for it. Remember that the efficiency of the search is in your favor, as is its thoroughness.

Therefore, if a cat disappears in the evening, do not put off searching for it until the next morning. Arm yourself with a flashlight, ask your friends for help and go look for a missing cat in the area.

Warnings

• If you have other animals and plan to leave the door open, lock them in another room to prevent them from escaping too.
• Don't leave cat food outside. Other stray or wild animals that are more familiar with the area and know their way around at night will eat it first and take it as an invitation to come back to you again!

Unfortunately, this situation when a cat gets lost happens often. Pets play and fall out of balconies and windows, disappearing in the countryside or in the forest during country walks and picnics. What to do and how to find your lost pet, let's figure it out together.

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How to protect your pet from falling

The fact that there are risks does not mean that you need to live in a tightly sealed apartment and deprive yourself of fresh air

It is enough to take precautions in advance:

Do not leave your cat unattended. For example, if you go out onto an unglazed balcony, make sure that the animal remains in the apartment. All cat owners know about the almost mystical ability of these creatures to “leak” into the most unexpected places without being noticed; Install a net on the windows, strong enough to support the weight of the animal; Let the cat go for a walk. It has been observed that free-ranging cats rarely fall out of windows.

Even if your pet can feel free only in the summer, during the summer season, this will completely allow him to gain the necessary experience for more careful behavior. If you don’t have a summer house, regular walks can also give the desired effect.

How to look for a missing cat

First of all, hope dies last - a lot also depends on your attitude. And if a cat gets lost, runs away, falls out of a window or slips into the entrance, this does not mean at all that it is completely lost. There is a chance. And you should definitely give your cat this chance to be found. Of course, if you don't look for her or give up too early and stop looking for her, you shouldn't be surprised that you won't find her.

But, you will do this?! And we’ll tell you how to look for a cat correctly so that the chances of finding it increase several times, and what specific steps need to be taken...

If you find yourself in a situation where your beloved cat has disappeared, do not remain silent. Call the cat by name (a lot in your search also depends on how correct and euphonious the name you have chosen for your cat - by the way, you can read about how to choose a nickname for a cat here), say “kitty-kitty”, ah, If her favorite sound is the sound of shaking food in a jar, arm yourself with this “rattle” and shake it as often as possible. Perhaps you will be lucky and you will find your cat in a few minutes - scared, cold, dirty, but so loved. And, perhaps... you will have to go searching the next morning.

If luck is not on your side, and you were unable to find the fugitive in the evening, get up early the next morning - after all, the earlier you get up, the fewer distractions there will be on the street, there will be no passersby, no cars. Ask the janitors in your yard if they have seen a cat? Give them a description of the animal (it is advisable to print out leaflets overnight with a description of the cat, its photo, and your contacts) and promise a reward for their help in the search (the latter is a strong enough argument to help you find it). However, if you are looking for a cat early in the morning, remember that you shouldn’t call the animal too loudly - people are still sleeping... And, instead of help and participation on their part, you will only embitter them.

Involving helpers in the search for a cat

By the way, do not waste the time that you can devote to searching for a cat on useless calls and panic. From your long-distance calls to all your distant relatives, your cat will definitely not be found faster. But asking friends and relatives for help is possible and necessary. The more people looking for your cat, the more likely it is to be found.

So quickly organize a mini search group, and go ahead.

Don't lose hope, keep looking

Remember that not only searches are important, but also additional measures to return the runaway cat. Try to attract him with a familiar home smell. Check the dust container of your vacuum cleaner: if there is any pet hair left in it, scatter it near the door. Hang an unwashed item from your wardrobe, a T-shirt or turtleneck, behind the door. There is a known case when a cat came to sleep in an old baby stroller, which the owner, having almost despaired of finding her pet, wisely left it outside.

Many people recommend placing your cat's favorite food outside the door or spraying the door with catnip; This, despite its obvious appeal, is a controversial measure. Using it, prepare for a visit from neighbor or street cats.

The main thing is, don’t stop searching! Try to spend more time at home and in your summer cottage, delay your departure time if possible - your pet can return at any time! There are known cases where a missing cat was reported months after the loss, so don’t despair!

Kaverin Igor

What canned food tastes best for cats?

RESEARCH ATTENTION! You and your cat can take part in it! If you live in Moscow or the Moscow region and are ready to regularly observe how and how much your cat eats, and also remember to write it all down, you will receive FREE SET OF WET FOOD.

Project for 3–4 months. Organizer - Petkorm LLC.

. (RU)Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

The loss of a pet is a difficult event for the entire family, and especially for children. Cats are inquisitive by nature and love to explore new objects and places. Unfortunately, they are not always able to find their way back. Don't panic, we will help you bring your beloved Murka home.

What to do when your pet is found

Having figured out how to find a cat if it has run away, you need to consider this issue. You should not scold, much less punish, your pet; it is an animal, and physical violence is unacceptable for it. It’s better to show the cat how much you love him, that you missed him and are sincerely glad that he was found.

Note! You can buy your pet a treat, but give it only a little, otherwise he may decide that running away is the easiest way to earn a treat.

Care and attention will help the cat understand that he is loved and expected

The escape or loss of a cat is very stressful for both the animal and its owner.

Therefore, it is very important to surround your pet with love and care after returning. Most often, unneutered and unsterilized cats escape. Therefore, if breeding is not part of the owner’s plans, then it is worth considering surgery

It will become an invisible cage that will keep the animal within the house. In addition, it is a well-known fact that sterilized cats love their owners much more and have a calm, good-natured disposition.

Therefore, if breeding is not part of the owner’s plans, then it is worth considering surgery. It will become an invisible cage that will keep the animal within the house. In addition, it is a well-known fact that sterilized cats love their owners much more and have a calm, good-natured disposition.

Main reasons for running away

There are several of them. The most popular is estrus, during which cats become uncontrollable, driven by the desire to mate, so animals even jump from high-rise balconies. The amazing ability of most cats to land on all fours saves them from death. But the owner loses his pet, so he is forced to go looking for him.

Accidental loss or escape for a cat is extremely stressful

Other popular reasons:

hunting instinct. Cats by nature are created to catch birds and rodents, and the peculiarity of their visual apparatus is that they see a moving object very sharply. That is why a bird or fly flying outside the windows can cause a brave cat to jump after it; old age and illness. Cats often leave home to die alone. In this case, it is not necessary to look for the animal; accidental fall

Due to play or carelessness, a pet may fall out of a window or escape through an open door; resentment. This is the reason why animals kept in private houses with a fenced area may disappear

If the owner unfairly punishes the cat or gets a new pet, the offended animal may run away; a change of scenery. Many city residents decide to move their pet to the village or country house for the summer. However, the animal does not always understand that this is temporary; it believes that it has been abandoned, so it decides to rid the owner of its presence.

Note! In any case, no matter what reason prompts the cat to expand the boundaries of his world, you need to understand that he is experiencing extreme stress, is very afraid, and expects that the owner will be able to find him

Therefore, it is very important to know what to do if a cat goes missing, and where to start looking for it.

Cats are hunters to the core, so they can accidentally fall out of a window while chasing a bird or insect.