When trying to find a lost cat, don’t panic, take a deep breath, and keep a level head. Experts say that indoor cats may be closer than you think—hiding out near home in a bush, under a porch, or in the neighbor’s yard.
Searching for a lost cat is a task no pet parent wants to face. When Bianca L. realized her cat Extra had slipped out of a motel room, she wasted no time following expert steps: searching the immediate area, placing familiar objects outside, and turning to social media for extra eyes. Extra returned home after 31 days.
A missing cat does not mean you failed as a pet parent either. Cats are curious, sneaky creatures who can slip out doors, windows, and harnesses in a blink of an eye. Here we break down how to focus your search, the best tips to find a lost cat from our experts, and Bianca’s success story.
Photo credit: Bianca L.
How to Find a Lost Cat
When it comes to finding a lost cat, it’s important to be proactive and persistent, says Dr. Mikel Delgado, a cat behavior expert and consultant at Feline Minds. When you’re not sure where to start searching for your lost cat, start with these expert tips.
Do a physical search
A physical search is reported to be the most effective method for a lost cat. As you look around, be sure to call your cat’s name or make sounds that they usually respond to (shaking a treat bag, kissy noises, etc.). Avoid “drive-by” searches as this may increase the chances of scaring your cat or you missing out on slow or subtle movements.
Here is where you should search:
- Search inside your entire house. Assuming you didn’t see your cat jet out the door, double-check every nook and cranny, shake your cat’s favorite treats, and crack open a can of food.
- Search your entire house exterior. Once you’ve confirmed that your cat isn’t still indoors, move the search to the immediate outdoors. Finding a lost indoor cat starts with searching nearby hiding spots like under porches, cars, and decks and in bushes, open garages, and sheds. When an indoor-outdoor or free-roaming cat goes missing, it’s likely because they were spooked or chased out of their territory and became lost because they were disoriented.
- Search your neighbor’s garden, toolshed, or garage. Cats tend to hide close to home, and these are all great hiding spots. Before searching these areas, make sure to ask your neighbors if you can search their property or have them search their property for your cat.
- Look at dawn and dusk. Dr. Delgado says your cat is most likely to feel safe at dawn and dusk because they are crepuscular rather than nocturnal. They may come out of hiding to seek food and may be easier to approach.
- Purchase a security or wildlife camera. Bianca knew she could only physically search for so many hours. Bianca had a special interest in a wooded area that feral cats frequented, so she set up a trail camera to monitor activity. Dr. Delgado adds that cameras monitoring your yard can spot and alert you of your cat coming out of hiding at night.
Get help from your community
Enlisting the help of friends, neighbors, or a professional is a great tool to better the chances of finding your cat. More eyes on the neighborhood and surrounding areas can only increase the likelihood your cat is found safe and sound. Make sure the parties looking for your cat know not to approach them suddenly or try to grab them. This can startle your cat and potentially scare them away.
Here’s who can help:
- Hire a pet detective. Look for a pet detective that is Missing Animal Response (MAR) trained. The Missing Animal Response Network has an easy-to-use directory for MAR-trained specialists in your area.
- Scope out the neighborhood and recruit neighbors. If your cat isn’t on your property, it’s time to extend the search to the next-door neighbors. “Knock on neighbor’s doors and ask if you can look in their yard for your cat,” Dr. Delgado says. “Ask neighbors to check under their homes or in garages—anywhere your cat could hide.”
- Contact local vets, shelters, and rescues. Call local organizations to let them know your cat is lost and describe their physical features. Frequently check-in for your cat.
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Use social media and advertisements
Flyering is a tried-and-true method for finding a lost cat. Additionally, with the advent of social media, there are more ways than ever to spread the word about your lost companion. Make sure the information of the fliers or social media post is clear and includes relevant contact information and instructions on if and how someone should approach your cat if they spot them.
Here are some ways to spread the word:
- Utilize social media. Think neighborhood-oriented outlets like NextDoor and Craigslist, where the community is active. Post to local Facebook and Reddit groups with a recent picture of your cat. Instagram and TikTok are also great for getting the word out to friends.
- Register your cat on pet finder websites. Petco Love Lost is a free-to-use website for finding lost cats. It works by scanning your pet’s face and comparing them to pets found in your community.
- Make and put-up fliers. Take the additional step with fliers and hand them directly to people. Cats are more likely to be found when fliers are distributed and posted on poles. Use a recent, clear photo of your cat and include your contact information and reward.
Set up a trap
Trapping is another effective method to bring your cat home. However, ensure you read up on how to properly establish a trap and what to do after your cat goes into the trap. Effective traps are set up right after you realize your cat is missing and conduct a thorough search.
Here are some tips on trapping:
- Set up a feral cat trap. Dr. Delgado recommends placing the trap close to home with food inside to lure them in.
- Put your cat’s favorite things or food outside (not the litter box). Cats have 40 times more olfactory receptors than us, making their sense of smell one of their most powerful senses. You can attract a lost cat home by placing familiar smelling items near your door and the feral cat trap. In an effort to guide Extra back to the unfamiliar motel, Bianca placed Extra’s doggo sister’s harness on their motel door and a comforter from home on the car.
- Lure them in with their favorite foods or treats. One of the best ways to get a cat to come home is by enticing them with their favorite foods and treats, especially wet food. You can also try and lure them home with their favorite human foods too, including tuna, salmon, chicken, or anything else your cat loves.
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Can Cats Find Their Way Home?
There are lots of stories about dogs finding their own way back home, but can cats find their way back? Yes, there is a chance that your cat will come back when lost, thanks to homing instincts. Cats and other animals can use the angle of the sun, the position of the stars, and the pull of Earth’s magnetic field to point them in the direction of home.
While this sounds near impossible, a Florida cat walked 200 miles home after being lost during a family vacation. Another cat named Ninja was so homesick after he and his family moved that he walked 850 miles over a year to return to his old address.
But this doesn’t mean that your cat doesn’t need your help making their way home. Like humans, some cats are born with a better sense of direction than others, and they might get confused if they’ve spent time in a shelter, bounced around addresses, or encounter dangerous obstacles.
What Are the Chances of Finding My Cat?
Chances of finding a missing cat are greatest in the first week of their disappearance. After the first week, the search becomes more difficult, but not impossible. According to a 2018 study by University of Queensland, most cats that were found alive were found within the first two months.
The same study also notes that 75% of indoor cats were found within 500 meters of where they went missing. Missing outdoor cats are usually found further, about 1,600 meters from home. Relying on fliers and professionals were associated with lower chances of finding a lost cat than physically searching.
However, this doesn’t mean you should focus on one type of search only. “Extra got home because of his microchip,” Bianca says. “I still get emotional remembering that moment my phone rang.” Extra had been found less than a mile from the motel where he had gone missing. He had wandered into a good Samaritan’s yard who scooped him up and took him to the local vet clinic, where his microchip was scanned.
Pro-tip: Use your knowledge of your cat to your advantage. When putting up fliers, you may want to offer details about sounds, treats, or behaviors your cat likes or dislikes.
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How Can I Prevent My Cat From Getting Lost?
The best way to prevent your cat from getting lost is to limit free-roaming outdoor time. Cats can safely enjoy the outdoors by installing window perches, building or buying a catio, and training them to walk on a harness and leash. If your cat is harness and leash trained, pick them up and set them outside instead. Designate one low-traffic door for outdoor leashed adventures.
Prepare for the worst by taking your cat to the vet for microchip implantation, and keep it up to date. You should also consider collar, ID tag, and a pet tracking device, although be aware that these can snag and tear as your cat explores. Bianca also credits pet detective Kim Freeman’s, The Lost Cat Kit as a helpful tool for knowing exactly what to do when her cat went missing.
If your cat is indoor only, try these tips to prevent your cat from getting outdoors:
- Clicker train your cat, focusing on spot training, recognition of their name, and recall.
- Make the entryway a “no fun zone” by greeting your cat when you are inside your house and away from the door.
- Put up baby or pet gates or restrict access to entryways when there is a lot of in-and-out traffic.
- Spay and neuter your cat. According to Brown University, fixed cats are less likely to roam.
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Myths About Finding Lost Cats
- Myth #1: Putting out a litter box will lure your cat back home. According to the Missing Animal Response Network, putting out a litter box may do more harm than good for your lost cat. Cats are highly territorial, and urine and feces are one way of marking territory. Putting out a litter box could attract territorial Toms, putting your cat at risk of a fight or keeping them away. Sure, putting out food will also attract other cats, but the experts say it won’t provoke territorial aggression like a dirty litter box might.
- Myth #2: Cats run away when dying. There is no evidence to suggest that cats run away to die. However, sick cats have an increased tendency to hide and, if away from home, may be too weak to return.
- Myth #3: A wild animal has killed your cat. Until you find physical evidence, don’t assume the worst. Your cat may be waiting at the shelter to be claimed or hunkered down somewhere safe close by.
- Myth #4: If you’ve microchipped your cat, there’s no need to look. While a great tool, microchips are only successful when someone finds your cat and takes them to a facility where they are scanned. And, they only work when all information is accurate and up to date. Being proactive in searching is the best method to finding your cat.
What to Do When You’ve Found Your Cat
Cats can end up in all sorts of strange places, and this curiosity can often result in a lost cat. If your lost cat ends up in a hard-to-reach or dangerous area, contact the fire department or animal control to help. It may be hard to contain your excitement about seeing your favorite feline. But remember, stay calm and talk in a gentle voice, your cat is likely still very frightened.
When your cat reunites with you, you’ll want to take them home and return to normal life ASAP. But first, take them to the vet for a complete check-up. While checking for fleas, ticks, and other parasites, your vet can treat dehydration and provide tips for easing back into your routine.
And if you find a cat that isn’t yours, do your part by getting them checked for a microchip and scanned, posting them to social media, and registering the lost cat on pet websites like Petco Love Lost. “Just a moment of your time can change someone’s entire world,” Bianca says. “You can help pet parents make their family whole again.”
