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Can Indoor Cats Find Their Way Home

Important Steps To Prevent And Reunite Missing Cats

How to Find a Lost Cat! – Can Cats Find Their Way Home?

There are some steps for all cat owners to take that will help in case your cat does get lost.

First of all, ensure your cat has some kind of identification such as a microchip, tattoo, or collar with tag. In a 2014 study, only 67% of veterinary clinics recommended microchips for all cats compared to 86% who recommended them to all dogs , so ask your vet about a microchip if your cat doesnt already have one.

A collar is a visible way of showing that a cat belongs to someone, but will not enable people to contact you unless it has an identification tag. Some people dont like to use collars because they think their cat wont like it, or its not safe . Be sure to get a breakaway collar that will release if it gets stuck to something so your cat does not become trapped. It is easier to teach cats to wear a collar if you start when they are kittens, but adult cats can be taught to accept them .

In some places, tattoos in the right ear are used as an identification strategy. They identify the vet clinic that did the tattoo, the year in which it was done, and the animal. Once the clinic is contacted, it is then possible to contact the owner of a cat. Tattoos can become hard to read or illegible over time.

Permanent identification requires you to update the microchip registry any time you move house or change telephone number. If there is a central pet registry in your area be sure to register your cat and keep the information up to date.

How To Attract A Cat Back Home

If youve been scouring the neighborhood and you havent had any luck locating your precious feline friend, dont panic – there are plenty of other things you can try to encourage them to return home under their own steam:

  • If your kitty is a fan of the best cat treats , put a bowl of these by the door
  • Put your cats bed, favorite blanket, scratching post and toys outside – if they are within a particular radius, the scent will attract them
  • Try other special foods, like tuna or sardines – these are super smelly and if you heat them up, the aroma will waft for miles
  • Science has shown that cats are very attracted to their humans voice and its recognizable to them from some distance away. The caveat here is that it has to be your normal voice, not a fearful or panicked voice calling their name as this will have the opposite effect. Go outside and talk on the phone or chat in person to a family member or friend – this tone is what your kitty will be most drawn to.

Most importantly, dont give up – time and time again pet owners are reunited with their feline friends days, weeks and even months after they go missing. Although its incredibly difficult to be apart from your much-loved moggy, stay consistent and follow the tips below if your cat hasnt responded to your attempts to attract them back.

Lost Cat Knowledge From The Missing Animal Response Network

The Missing Animal Response Network is an American not-for-profit organisation, founded by former police detective, Kat Albrecht.

The Missing Animal Response Network has expert knowledge on what cats do when displaced from their homes. Its not what you might think.

It turns out that checking vets and shelters, putting fliers on lamp posts and posting on Facebook isnt very effective in finding lost cats.Not effective at all.

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Common Reasons Behind Your Cats Disappearance

Now that you know about your cats extraordinary ability, one of the things that you might find bothersome is your cats habit of wandering off and disappearing for days and even more. This is especially true for cats who get the pleasure to roam around freely outdoor.

If this mystifies you, the list below will give you a few good reasons behind your indoor-outdoor cats disappearing act:

Their Love For Hunting

While your pets may look innocent and sweet on the outside, theyre highly skilled predators that consider hunting as their favorite pastime. Their day is not complete without preying on little critters like rodents, reptiles, and even birds.

So, if your cat is out of sight, your feline friend might just be chasing their prey.

Its Mating Season

Whether you have a tomcat or a queen, both tend to stray off when theyre in search of their mate.

Theyre Scared Or Stressed

Like humans, cats also tend to run away whenever they feel scared, stressed, or anxious.

If a lot is going on in your home , your pet cat may feel stressed because of all the racket and the strangers going in and out of your home. Your cat may have also been chased away by a dog or another animal. All of these reasons would often force your pet cat to look for a hiding spot.

Theyve Found A Great Food Provider

There are good-hearted people out there who cant help but feed a wandering cat. When this happens, cats tend to go back to that source of food every now and then.

Can A Cat Get Lost

Missing tabby cat

Cats have an exceptional sense of direction thanks to their powerful sense of smell. They can find their way back home because they leave olfactory tracesalong the way. All cats have scent glands on many parts of their body such as their paws pads, cheeks, lips, forehead, flanks and tail.

During their walks, your cat rubs their face, scratchestrees, and pees to diffuse their pheromones and leave a trace. Even if they remain very rare, there are stories of cats finding their way back home after months of wandering.

So, can a cat ever get lost? It seems unlikely, but they can get scared by a loud noise, a stressful situation or can get carried away by prey and struggle to find their way back home.

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How Far Can A Cat Go And Find Its Way Home

You mightassume that your indoor cat would never leave your home, but you’d besurprised. Even the most pampered pet might find themselves outside. So, can anindoor cat find its way home?

Putsimply, a lost cat might possess the ability to return home, but that does notnecessarily mean they want to return. The reasons behind a cat’s uncannyability to find its way home aren’t fully understood yet. It’s thought thatcats possess a homing instinct, a way to tell directions in ways other thanusing their physical senses.

So if thequestion persists, can a cat find itsway back home? Based on scientific evidence, we can establish that yes, acat does have a way of finding its own route home either with its sense ofdirection or olfactory cues.

Can Cats Remember Where They Live

As amazing as it sounds, cats do have a special ability called a homing instinct that helps them find their way back home. Although we dont know for certain how it works, evidence supports the idea that cats are able to use the earths geomagnetic fieldspotentially combined with scent cuesto locate their homes.

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How Do You Help Cat Find Way Back Home

Bring along a recent photo of your cat and ask neighbors if theyve seen him or her. Check under porches and shrubs and ask neighbors to check in sheds and garages in case your cat was accidently locked in. If you did not see the cat run out then make sure you check all hiding places inside your house.

Can A House Cat Survive Outside

Can Cats Find Their Way Home If Lost

When temperatures drop, people naturally wonder how they can help cats who live outdoors. As a species, cats have always lived outside and thrived in all varieties of locations, weather conditions, and climates. They are well adapted to their environments and know where to find food and shelter from the elements.

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Can A Cat Come Back Home

A study in 1922 showed that cat mums can find their way back to their kittens within a 1-4 mile radius. Another study performed in 1954 showed that cats easily found their way out of large mazes, and that 60% of the time, they used the exit that faced their way home.

In addition, there have been multiple stories of cats traveling for miles before finding their way back home – one cat traveled a whopping 80 miles over 2.5 years!

So yes, cats can, and do, in many cases, come back home!

Psd Letter For Flying With A Psychiatric Service Dog

Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals that have mental health disabilities. PSDs are allowed to fly in the cabin of airplanes free of charge and have access rights to places open to the public. A PSD must be trained to perform tasks relating to a disability. PSDs perform an incredible variety of tasks including things like providing tactile stimulation to provide comfort during periods of crisis, reminding their handlers to take medication and interrupting harmful behaviors.

Are you interested in seeing if you qualify for a psychiatric service dog ? can connect you with a licensed healthcare professional that can evaluate whether you have a qualifying condition for a PSD and issue a PSD letter on signed letterhead.

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How To Make An Indoor Cat Happy

In many cases, a cat that has gone missing has likely not been neutered. Keeping a neutered or spayed cat home will be easier and might prevent your cat from going after others in heat.

Brushing your cat and treating fleas is still very important even when your cat is not going outside. It is also important to give your indoor cat what they will find outside for their physical and mental wellbeing, such as:

  • Catnip to satisfy their need for nature. Catnip is also known to aid digestion and promote regurgitation of hairballs once ingested. A godsend when you know that cats swallow quite a bit of hair during grooming.
  • A clean and accessible litter.
  • Toys as well as playtimethat mimics hunting. Even domesticated, cats still have a hunting instinct. Toys can vary from mice, pillows, and feathery toys.
  • A cat tree will allow your cat to get higher from the ground. They can also sharpen their claws on it, without damaging your furniture.
  • Hiding places where they can feel safe and not get disturbed.
  • Reduced food portions. Since your cat will not be exercising outside, it is important to watch what they eat.

Whether it has gone hunting, mating, or is lost, it is essential to not waste any time once you have realised your cat has gone missing. You should contact and notify local groups as well as wardens and neighbours. If your cat comes back, you will only have to notify everyone of its return. If it does not, you can maximise your chances of getting your cat back.

Get Your Cat Microchipped And Put A Tag On His Collar

How Long Can An Indoor Cat Live Outside? â Siamese Cats Rule

If your cat manages to get lost and ends up in a shelter, having a microchip could help him get back to you.

Shelters and vet clinics will check lost pets for microchips. If your cat has a microchip, it will provide all of your information so the staff can return him to you.

You should also put an ID tag on your cats collar so if someone finds him on the street, theyll have his address and your information to contact you.

Try .

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Place Humane Traps Cameras Or Food In Those Spots

If you dont see or find the cat, you can put humane traps there, wildlife cameras or even a plate of food at first to see if it vanishes.

The case of a lost cat is an investigation. The investigative question with displaced indoor-only cats that escape outside or even outdoor-access cats that bolt in panic is, where is the cat hiding?

Top 10 Tips For Finding Lost Cats

Of the many cats Ive known over the years, Ive lost four. Two never returned. I know the heartbreak of looking for and missing a beloved cat. My cat Coco went missing many years ago in Toronto. I canvassed the neighborhood, put up posters and felt her presence nearby. I kept looking and calling but she was stuck up a tree, so high up I couldnt see her and she refused to make a sound. Finally, after being in stranded up a tree for two days and two nights, someone called me from the flyer who said hed seen her. A neighbor found the longest ladder Id ever seen and since the fire department didnt rescue cats, I put my fear of heights on hold and climbed up. With one hand on the ladder, I dangled Coco by the scruff of her neck from my outstretched arm to avoid being shredded and climbed down. A small crowd had gathered and cheered. Coco was rescued safely.

Cats seem to have a sort of homing instinct which in some cases have guided cats to travel hundreds of miles back to their home. Most indoor-only cats tend not to travel far. While an adventurous indoor/outdoor cat is more likely to roam, a scared cat may not trust their inner compass, get confused and get lost. Once a cat has wandered out of their comfort zone anything can happen to scare them further: Barking dogs, wildlife, loud traffic noise, teasing school kids, the list is endless.

Top 10 Tips For Finding Lost Cats

8) Visit all your local shelters even if say they dont have a cat of your description.

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The Importance Of Identification

If your cat has proper identification, it is more likely to be returned to you. If your cat wears a collar and tags, most people will return him to you if they think he is lost. With micro-chipping and/or ear tattooing, many veterinarians and animal shelters will be able to notify you, even if the collar/tags were removed. Ear tattoos that were applied at the time of spaying or neutering can serve as an indicator that your cat has had previous preventative care and may have a home.

Probabilities Of Being Found Alive By Time Since Lost

Can Cats Find Their Way Home?…#shorts

Of the 1210 cats, the outcome could be determined for 1075 , and for 1044 of these cats, time from going missing to being found or, for cats not found, time to right-censoring , were provided. Probabilities of an individual cat being found alive were calculated using these 1044 cats. Probabilities of an individual cat being found alive by time since the cat went missing are shown in Figure 1a,b. Of missing cats, approximately one-third were found alive by day 7, 50% by day 30, and 56% by day 61. There was little increase in probability of being found alive after day 61. By one year, 61% of missing cats had been found alive and this had increased to only 64% by 4 years.

Cumulative percentages of missing cats found alive by days since cat went missing shaded band indicates 95% point-wise confidence interval. Being found dead was treated as a competing risk. first 365 days first 30 days.

Of these 1044 cats, 601 were found alive, and the median time they remained lost was 6 days . Of the 17 cats that were found dead, the median time they remained lost was 21 days . For the 426 cats not found at the time the questionnaire was completed, the median time they had been lost for was 365 days .

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What Lost Cats Dont Do

Theres no evidence that these will help find your lost cat:

  • putting their litter tray out or spreading their cat litter around
  • assuming theyve gone away to die. Sure, its possible they may be weak and unwell but its more likely that theyre simply unable to make their way home, rather than that theyve deliberately disappeared to die. Were pretty sure theyd prefer to be safely at home with you, than on their own in unfamiliar territory
  • assuming theyve been killed

Dont Count On Cats To Find Their Own Way Home

Because of that, its very important for cat owners to realize their beloved pets arent safe just because the species on the whole seems to have a good sense of direction.

In fact, the research that proves cats have homing abilities also shows that we cant always depend on them. In the 1954 study, for example, researchers found that young cats who had been raised in a lab had no homing abilities at all. If your cat is young or used to living indoors, it may not be able to find its way home if it gets lost. And if being outside makes your cat scared, confused, or overwhelmed, that could also negatively impact its sense of direction.

Research also shows that the average outdoor housecat only travels within around 500 feet of its home on any given day. Though cats in scientific experiments have found their way home from far greater distances than that, any cat more than about a third of a mile from its home will likely be in unfamiliar territory, which may affect its ability to determine which way to go to get home.

But in addition to all the things that can throw off your cats sense of direction, there are also just a lot of dangers it can encounter if its outside whether your cat is used to being outdoors, or its lost.

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