Finding a lost cat might feel challenging, but chances are, you will be reunited in no time. The good news is that studies have shown that about 74% of lost cats are eventually united with their family again5. So try to stay calm and hopeful until your feline friends is in your arms again.
However, chances are also very good that your cat may travel back to your old home, particularly if they lived there for a long time. Some reports say that up to 30% of cats will try and return to their former homes.
It isn't uncommon for cats to go missing for 24 hours, especially if they like spending a lot of time outdoors. In some cases, cats can even stay away from home for up to 10 days at a time. We also know of cats that leave home while their humans are away on holiday, returning soon after the family arrives back.
Cats will usually stay within a 3-4 house radius from where they went out as long as they can find a place to hide within that area. They look for the first place to hide and then they stay there (sometimes for days on end) as long as it is safe and dry.
Yes. According to research from Lost Pet Research & Recovery, some lost cats can find their own way home using homing behavior, which they define as "the inherent ability of an animal to navigate towards an original location through unfamiliar areas."
Find out more about microchipping and what to do if you your cat goes missing. Even though your cat can recognise you, it's unlikely that they remember you in the same way you would remember them when you are apart. Cats live in the moment and don't see time in the same way we do.
Common Reasons for Cats' Disappearance
Territorial Exploration: Cats are known for their territorial nature. Venturing off to establish or protect their territory is a common trigger for their disappearance. To understand more about this aspect, you may want to look into the top causes of cats running away.
Call your vet's office and tell them your cat is missing so they can keep an eye out for your cat. You should also contact local animal authorities, such as the animal control department and the local shelter.
In fact, one survey of 1,210 lost cats found that 75% were found within just 500 meters of their escape point! Outdoor cats may be more likely to return home on their own, as they are familiar with the sights and sounds of the neighborhood and know their way around, and have a stronger “homing” instinct.
Well, when they're lost from their territory – your home – fear is likely to be their greatest feeling, rather than hunger. In fact, the Missing Animal Response Network has found that cats will often hide for one or two weeks after becoming displaced from their territory.
Visit your local shelters as often as you can to check if your cat is there, keeping in mind that it can take weeks before a lost cat lands at a shelter.
Most cats, when feeling overwhelmed or lost, will hide instead of run. They can spend long periods of time in one area moving from hiding spot to hiding spot. Therefore, it can be valuable to re-check areas you have already searched.
Cats can smell over a mile depending on wind conditions. Then make the scent strip and “Cat Chum” (Described below) trails back in the most direct and safe way to your house and/or traps.
If possible, leave a way for your cat to return home, such as an open porch, garage or window, preferably near the point where he got out. Many indoor-only cats will attempt to return home within the first week after escaping, and they will most frequently do so in the middle of the night when no one sees them.
It may be that your cat has found somewhere else they feel safe and secure. Maybe a neighbor has been showering them with attention, or feeding them bowls of mouth-watering food. It could be because there has been major upheaval at home – a new baby, a new pet, even a change of diet.
You do not need to worry if your cat leaves, however, if it has been more than two days, you should consider notifying your local vet and animal warden that your animal has not come back, as they might have been injured, preventing them from coming home.
Most cats don't go missing for very long.
And reassuringly, cats have a great sense of direction. However in some cases, cats can go missing for days, weeks, months or even years. They may return, or might not ever make it home.
Try not to panic. Cats can disappear for days at a time and return with no trouble, looking perfectly healthy. While you might be worried, they're likely to stroll in and wonder what all the fuss is about. If they haven't yet returned, give them a few hours before you make a plan of action.
Cats will miss their owners when they are gone, but the response to a cat missing you may vary. Some kitties may express their sadness through purring, meowing, or following their owner around, while others may show no outward signs of sadness. Here are some common signs your cat missed you: Meowing and Crying.
Anyone simply "present" in their life is someone they may remember, but not associate with any emotion. But as long as you and your cat have shared a pet or two, and as long as you fed them a few of their favorite meals, your cat will remember you as well no matter how long you are gone.
The lost cat could be hiding in the neighbor's yard. If not found, the cat will likely end up in your shelter in a few months. Cats who are afraid or injured will seek areas of concealment such as under a deck, under a house, under a porch, or in heavy brush. Most critically, these cats will not meow.
It's theorized that they can follow their own scent trails all the way back home. Their powerful sense of smell is also why it's recommended to put a lost cat's litter box or favorite blanket outside. Those familiar scents could help them remember where they live.
According to studies, cats usually don't travel further than a one mile radius of their home. When cats are missing for 2-3 days or less, they were probably just exploring their territory, seeking a mate, or hunting a prey.
When a cat is scared by something outside, they may hide indoors for a few hours to a couple of days, depending on their personality and the intensity of the fear. Providing a safe and quiet space for your cat to recover, along with gentle reassurance, can help them come out of hiding sooner.