Any advise on how to finding a missing indoor cat?

Question

My cat snuck out an open door around 2 AM yesterday. I've called for him, put up fliers, contacted the microchip company, contacted the animal shelter, contacted the vets in town, set out his favorite food, and even left the garage door open at night. Today, I rented a humane cat trap from the animal shelter. Is there anything else I should be doing?

Answer 1

Your cat is probably scared to death and hiding, as mine did when she got out.

In a calm, friendly voice, walk around the areas near your house and call his name. Maybe even take some cat food so he can hear it rattle - whatever sound will remind him of home. Have a blanket or towel with you so you can wrap him up securely as you walk back home - any car or other noise could scare him right out of your arms again.

He likely hasn't gone far from the house, and he remembers where he lives even if he's an indoor cat, so try not to worry too much. Good luck!

Answer 2

First of all don't feel guilty. My late cat Katie could not be trained to stay indoors. I spent many a sleepless night looking for her but she generally would be back within a couple of hours. The noises of people starting their cars or dogs would freak her out and she would come running in. I would leave the door open which wasn't to safe for me. Generally she would stay under the car. Unfortuantely one night I left her for 20 minutes and she was killed by an animal. One of the few times she didn't have the car there to hide under. She was young and I am crippled and couldn't run after her. A marathon runner couldn't catch this cat. When you haven't raised a cat from the beginning it is sometimes hard to change old habits. The previous owner allowed her outside. My older cat doesn't have a problem with staying indoors as her previous owner kept her inside.Once in a while she will run out for a few minutes but I leave the door open and she will suddenly run back in within an hour.

Answer 3

Put posters up all around the community on telephone poles and at the animal shelters, also this sounds crazy but put some tuna on a plate and walk around the neighborhood when it is getting a little dark calling your cats name and maybe he will come to you because I am sure he is hungry by now. Be sure and leave food and water in the garage for him and by your house.

Answer 4

My cats have snuck out a couple of times, and they always come back. Your cat most likely knows where you live. Don' t worry about it too much, its most likely just exploring the neighborhood. But in the mean time you might want to put some cat food and water outside of your house. And ask your neighbors to keep their eyes open for your cat.

Answer 5

Depending on if he is fixed or not...he could be out finding a mate. When I was a child, our cat used to disappear for days at a time but then come back. I would leave some food out for him and also go outside and shake the bag of food if he is used to the sound. Animals like the sound of food!

Sounds like you have done about everything. Now just wait and pray.

Answer 6

I think you've covered just about everything. Put his litterbox in the garage with the door open. Walk around the perimeter of your house BAREFOOT - he will recognize your smell and know he is close to you. Even put dirty laundry from your house around outside. Cats find their way home by smell more than sight. Since he has never been outdoors the inside smells need to be put outside for him.

Most cats who are out for the first time as very frightened and tend to be hiding close to where they went out unless they have been frightened off by a dog or another stranger.

Answer 7

Go outside and make a sound your cat will know is you and only you. If you fed him at a certain time and their was a routine or a certain sound, go outside and try to replicate that sound or situation. They respond to routine. Good luck, because they are usually frightened. Check the most direct path to a good cover and you might be lucky enough to find them hiding there under cover.

Answer 8

the first question is what kind of cat!
some cats get scared easier than others, like i have 2 tabbys and they get scared sooo easily they hide under bushes and in other ppls yards too if that helps.


PS. Good luck finding ur cat!!!

Answer 9

Oh dear!

There isn't much else you can do: Just talk with the neighbors, and look up trees and under things: Your cat might be too scared to come out.

Answer 10

if u were good to ur pet she should come back to u for shelter when she is in need