- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Some cats prefer the comfort of home, where they get plenty of snoozes, cuddles, and treats. Other cats enjoy exploring the great outdoors and may try to sneak outside any chance they get! Whether you already let them outside or have just started to consider the idea, you’ll want to make sure you know how to get your cat home at night to keep them safe.
An outdoor environment can enrich your cat’s life, and many cats—especially those used to going outside—may not be happy staying inside all the time. That said, outdoor time does pose some risks for cats, especially at night.
We asked three experts how to get cats to come home and settle in for the night. You’ll find seven tips below, plus some guidance on what to do when your cat doesn’t come home.
Feed Your Cat On A Regular Schedule
Ideally, feed your cat twice a day, once every 12 hours, recommends Dr. Alex Crow, MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. This schedule imitates their natural, pre-domesticated eating habits.
He suggests feeding cats in the morning and evening or splitting their meals into three smaller ones over the course of the day.
“It’s essential to adapt the schedule to your cat’s preferences and your routine,” he says. “If life gets busy, a single evening meal can suffice, but make sure it’s enough to keep them satisfied until the next feeding. Your cat’s contentment and health are what matters most!”
To help get your cat to come home to eat, Dr. Crow recommends the following tips:
- Stick to a schedule. Cats thrive on routine, so establish a consistent feeding schedule. Cats who know when to expect food are more likely to come home for their meals, Dr. Crow says.
- Create a cozy dining nook. Find a quiet and comfy spot to feed them. A relaxed atmosphere helps them savor their food without any distractions.
- Avoid leaving food out all day. This can lead to overeating and potential weight gain. Instead, serve controlled portions at designated meal times.
- Always leave fresh water out. Hydration is essential for a cat’s well-being.
- Watch for appetite changes. If your cat’s appetite suddenly changes, contact your vet right away. They may have an underlying health concern that needs attention.
Increase Outdoor Time Gradually
Any kind of lifestyle transition, especially for cats who cherish a consistent schedule, will probably take some time to get used to.
Dr. Crow shares a few tips to help your cat make a smooth transition.
- Start slowly. Begin with outdoor sessions of just 10-15 minutes. “Cats can be cautious, so gradually increase the duration as they grow more accustomed to the environment,” Dr. Crow says. “This gentle approach reduces stress and helps your cat become more confident outdoors.”
- Choose a safe area. It’s important to make sure the outdoor space is secure and enclosed, like a fenced-in yard or a catio. Double-check for potential hazards a curious cat might encounter, like poisonous plants, pesticides and other toxins, or sharp objects.
- Always supervise. Avoid leaving cats unattended outside, especially at first. Paying close attention to their behavior can help you get them back inside quickly if they seem anxious or scared.
- Provide easy access to home. If you allow your cat to go in and out as they please, Dr. Crow recommends installing a cat flap or propping open a window so they can feel secure and in control.
- Reward them when they return. Dr. Crow says positive reinforcement goes a long way. When your cat gets home after their outdoor exploration, offering them a treat or a favorite toy can encourage them to keep coming back after their adventures.
Build A Routine
A daily routine will help your cat get used to coming home around the same time every day.
Dr. Crow shares an example:
Morning
- Wake up and let your cat outside for 10 minutes.
- Feed them breakfast and give them a treat.
- Play with them for 15 minutes.
- Let them back inside and close the doors and windows so they stay in.
Midday
- Give them a treat (and lunch, if they get three meals).
- Play with them for 15 minutes.
Late afternoon
- Let them outside for 15 minutes.
- Play for 15 minutes.
Evening
- Give them dinner and a treat.
- Play for 15 minutes.
- Let them outside for 10 minutes.
- Bring them inside and close the doors and windows.
Remember, consistency and patience are key when changing up your cat’s routine!
Get Your Cat Microchipped
A microchip or collar with an ID tag is crucial for cats who venture outside. Either can help identify your cat immediately.
“Microchipping is a must if you want your cat to enjoy both the indoors and outdoors,” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a veterinary consultant at We Love Doodles.
During this simple procedure, a tiny chip about the size of a grain of rice will be inserted under your cat’s skin, typically between their shoulder blades.
“This chip carries a unique ID number,” Dr. Kong says. “If your cat ever goes missing and is found, a vet or shelter can scan the chip to retrieve your contact details.”
Your vet can microchip your cat in just a few seconds at any appointment. Then, you’ll just need to register the chip online with your contact information.
Install A Cat Door
A cat door lets your cat do their own thing in the backyard and then come home when they want to—and you can control many cat doors with adjustable settings.
Dr. Kong recommends cat doors with entry-only or exit-only modes. That way, once they come in for the night, you can keep them in where they’re safe.
She also suggests considering a magnetic or electronic door that responds to your cat’s collar or microchip to prevent other animals from entering your home.
Practice Recall
Recall is an essential method of getting your cat to come to you when they hear their name or a specific word.
Zazie Todd, PhD, a psychologist specializing in pet behavior and author of “Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy,” shares a few tips to recall your cat successfully:
- Pick a word you will use only as your recall cue. It could be “Come,” “Here, kitty,” your cat’s name, or anything you like. To you, this word will mean “Come here,” but to your cat, it’ll mean, “Here are some delicious goodies for you.”
- Pick a treat your cat really loves. This should be a special treat you will use only for recall, so it’s best to opt for something special, not their ordinary dry cat treats (unless they really love them). You may also want to change the treat from time to time so they don’t get tired of it.
- To begin with, practice when your cat is very close by. Say your recall cue, and then give them the treats.
- Gradually increase the distance your cat has to come to get the treats. Do plenty of training indoors before you start to practice outdoors (if your cat has outdoor access).
- Always give the treats when your cat comes to you! If you don’t, they may lose interest in the training.
Before Your Final Decision, Check The Environment
Some outdoor environments are safer for cats than others.
Todd says the best outdoor environment for a cat is one with plenty of natural features of interest, like cat-friendly bushes and plants, safe spaces where they can hide or perch, and shelter from the elements. She also emphasizes the importance of an enclosed outdoor environment. This keeps them in—and other cats and predators out.
“If you live somewhere with busy roads or with lots of coyotes and cougars, or if you’re just not sure about your cat being outdoors, it’s best to keep your cat indoors only,” Todd says.
Do cats need to go outside?
Cats can enjoy a fulfilling life without ever going outside! An engaging indoor environment can help keep them content indoors.
“Fill your home with toys, scratching posts, and cat trees to prevent boredom,” Dr. Crow says. “Cats have active minds, and providing them with plenty of activities indoors reduces their desire to roam outdoors constantly.”
Also take your cat’s personality and history into account to decide if going outside is really right for them. Todd says certain cats may do better staying inside, such as cats who:
- Have never gone outside
- Have been declawed
- Are seniors
- Have a shy or nervous temperament
- Have issues with vision or hearing
- Are pedigree cats
For indoor-only cats, Todd says to be prepared to provide more forms of enrichment, as they have a less interesting environment than cats who can go outdoors.
Important: Cats who spend time indoors and outdoors have a higher risk of encountering other animals, which can lead to fights, unwanted litters, or exposure to diseases, Dr. Kong says. If your cat goes outside, you’ll want to protect them by first getting them spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
What To Do If Your Cat Doesn’t Come Home At Night
When night falls and your cat is nowhere to be found, you may feel very worried.
Try these tips to get your cat to come back home:
- Begin searching immediately: “Search on foot, and shake a treat packet from time to time,” Todd recommends. “Use a flashlight to search in the dark, since you might see their eyes shining back at you.” Be sure to check small places and any high places they can reach.
- Set up a shelter outside: “Use a cardboard box to make a nice hiding place at your house, close to where the cat went out,” Todd says. “Put some of your cat’s bedding in it, as they might smell it. This gives them somewhere to hide if they come back to your house and can’t get in.”
- Set food outdoors: Just as cats can see in the dark, they can definitely smell as well—especially their favorite foods. Entice your cat to come back home by setting a bowl of food outside.
- Ask your neighbors: Talk to your neighbors and ask them to watch for your cat and check their sheds and garages in case your cat somehow found their way inside.
- Wait: Sometimes, the only option you have in the middle of the night is to wait for your cat to return.
If it’s been several days since your cat has come home, Todd recommends:
- Putting up posters with your cat’s photo and your contact info: “They need to be big, simple posters if you want people driving by to be able to read them,” Todd says.
- Distributing flyers in the neighborhood and posting online in neighborhood groups and local lost animal groups: “Remember, not everyone is online, so different tactics will reach different people,” Todd says.
- Checking regularly with your local animal control or shelter: Cats who run away or get lost can end up at the local shelter. Check the shelter’s website, call their office, or visit in person to try finding your cat.
It may reassure you to learn cats typically don’t go very far, Todd says. They’re more likely to stay close by. In some cases, you might even find them hiding inside your house!