Every pet owner thinks of their pets as family members. So, it can be heart-breaking when a cat goes missing. Maybe you have lost your cat, so you are reading this article.
No need to panic. Never give up hope. It is not impossible to find a lost cat. You have to take some steps with patience. But if you have no idea where your cat is gone, how do you find a lost cat?
There are a few of the best ways of how to find a lost indoor cat. Remember, if your cat has verbally just run out of the door, don’t run after them. Keep them in prospect and try to convince them to come to you. This may involve getting low down, calling them, not looking directly at them. It can be scary to a cat.
Additionally, just show up or shake the treat packet to them which may also help. Generally, an indoor cat will want to return home again, therefore make sure they have a clear path back indoors.
14 Ways on How to Find a Lost Cat
Here are some things to help you find a missing cat and bring him home safely. This is like a checklist for finding lost cats:
1. Firstly Search Inside Carefully
Well, if you are not sure where your cat is, at first search carefully inside the house in case they are under furniture, in a wardrobe, in the basement, or some other hiding place. Generally, cats can get into some amazing places, if they are fearful and new to your home.
Moreover, they may be able to get inside your divan, open cupboard doors or drawers, hide in tiny gaps behind furniture, get in behind the washing machine or fridge, hide behind books on shelves, even curl up underneath your clean linen.
2. Search Around Home
Needless to say, the most effective strategy is searching on foot. Because, most cats are found close to home, so search very sincerely in the immediate area.
In the next step, look in places where a scared cat might hide such as in bushes, in sheds, under decks. Additionally, remember, to look up in the branches of a tree or on the roof of a shop or shed.
3. Find it at Night
After all, it’s a good idea to search at a quiet time of day. Generally, after dark, you can search with a flashlight. Because you might see the light reflect back from their eyes.
4. Attract it with a Treat
At searching, keep with a treat canned food with you and shake it from time to time. Remember, a scared cat would not dare to come out to you.
5. Use Litter Box Tempts
On the other hand, if your cat is an indoor-only cat, you can put their litter box outside close to the left point. Because cats have great smell power and will be able to smell it.
They may find it encouraging, then come back to use it, or wait nearby. But, if your cat has outdoor access, there seems a little possibility to do this, as they will be used to toileting outside anyway.
6. Prepare a Place Next to the Door
You can prepare a hiding place right by the door. By turning upside down and make a hole cut out to make an entrance. Then put some of your cat’s bedding inside it. It is for your cats hiding in case they come back when you aren’t there to let them in. Moreover, you can keep food and water nearby too.
7. Set a Trail Camera
Realy, if you have a trail cam, set it up so that you will see if your cat is in your yard or your neighbor’s yard, with permission.
8. Converse with Neighbors
Obviously, speak to neighbors and ask if they have seen your cat. Keep a recent photo of your lovely cat and ask neighbors if they’ve seen him or her. Moreover, ask them to check carefully hiding places on their property, or if they will let you search their yard for your cat.
9. Expose Leaflets
In the next step, make lost cat leaflets with your cat’s photo on them. Then put them up in the neighborhood where people can see them, such as near community mailboxes or on utility poles.
Sincerely include your phone number in order that people can contact you if they find your cat. Remember don’t put your name and address for security reasons.
10. Post Flyers to Media
You can post your lost cat flyer to social media too. Make the post public in order that it is shareable, and share it to any missing pets and neighborhood groups in your area. Remember again, don’t post your address.
11. Converse with Vet
Call your vet and tell him your cat is missing. You should be able to put up a flyer at his office too.
12. Visit Shelters
At this moment, visit your local animal shelter and animal control in case someone has caught your cat there. Somewhere they take details of missing cats to keep on file.
13. Search at the Old Address
If you have moved house nowadays, you should also search back at your old address, as there have the possibility of cats going back to where they used to live.
14. Use a Cat GPS Tracker
To make it easy about how to find a lost indoor cat you should attach an exclusive cat GPS tracker with your pet’s collar. In that case, you can find it very easily according to the signal from it.
Above all, keep searching close to home. This is the most important thing to do.
Also Read: What to Do if You Found a Lost Cat
Hope you now already know how to find a lost indoor Cat. Obviously, if you find your cat, remember to update social media postings and take down the leaflets you put up in the neighborhood.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that your cat doesn’t think like a human but has emotional feelings. It is likely that they are just trying to survive.
Generally, cats have been known to be returned to their owners after weeks, months, and years. For this reason, please don’t give up looking.
Dr. John Morris, DVM is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who has seven years of experience in feline medicine, dermatology, and behavior. He also enjoys volunteering at a local NGO that supports literacy programs for children and adults. In his free time, he enjoys fostering kittens, traveling, vegan cooking, hiking, and biking. Learn more about Justin here.
