My indoor cat escaped outside last night and is terrorfied. I realized it this morning when I went to feed him and he wasn't around. He is hiding under my deck, which is low to the ground <3 or 4 inches, and is howling, hissing, growling, and makes a screaming like noise when I call him to come in. What can I do to get the cat back in the house ... HELP!
2007-08-15 04:59:20 · 17 answers · asked by jenimay 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Can you shine a light on him? Those noises he is making aren't normal. He may have had a very bad night, gotten into a tangle and even been hurt.
I would look around and see if there is another cat hiding in the bushes. He could be frightened of a cat that fought and hurt him.
When he is this agitated, he can claw and bite so you need to be careful when handling him. You may want to have some thick rose gloves or a thick bath towel handy to wrap him up in.
If you cannot reach him, try placing a can of tuna fish or his favorite wet cat food and a dish of water several feet from the deck. You may not be able to coax him out until it is dark and he feels safer.
Leave the door open so he can scoot in if he feels like it. If you sit outside with him and ignore him for awhile, he may feel confident enough to venture out. There are ways to scare him out from under the deck but he is already super agitated so it is better to take the extra time and have a calm kitty.
2007-08-15 05:15:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My family and I have had indoor cats all my life, and we've had this problem several times. We haven't discovered a simple answer. With my cat, opening a can of tuna near where she's hiding is effective. With my mom and dad's cat, though, they actually had to dig her out the last time she hid in a neighbor's crawl space. You could put on gloves and attempt to grab the cat even though he's protesting, if you can reach him. The cat WILL come out when he's hungry or thirsty enough, but I know you probably don't want to wait around for that!
2007-08-15 05:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by Riki G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try holding a can of wet cat food or tuna down by the deck. Chances are this will draw him out. I had the same thing happen and this worked! Propping the door open may also work if he will come out at any point. Good luck!
2007-08-15 05:09:28 · answer #3 · answered by jst2funlvn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try leaving some food at the end of the porch for him. Make it something he doesnt get very often. Like fresh turkey or something.
Sometimes he just needs to calm down and realize that you are the one trying to get him out from under the deck.
also, you may want to check to make sure he is not stuck under there since it is so low to the ground.
Good luck!
2007-08-15 05:04:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. I am the "mother" of four indoor cats. When one of mine escaped and hid under my deck, I took the bag of cat food or treats out and shook it so the cat could hear it. This worked for me...the cat came out. Remember, if it has never been outside, it is scared and can even scratch or bite you. A gentle voice and treats worked in my case. Good luck!
2007-08-15 05:12:03 · answer #5 · answered by happychappy30 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bad Kitty.....
Leave the door open he may come by itself.
When I can used to run away, I normally managed to get her out by shaking the little box of cat treats. Put some found outside at the exit of the deck to tease her out.
2007-08-15 05:06:50 · answer #6 · answered by apocaliste 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get one of those humane traps from your local animal shelter. They're like a cage open at both ends. You place food on the trip mechanism in the center, cat enters to eat and the doors drop down. Only problem is you might end up catching a raccoon or opossum too. Still it's the best method.
2007-08-15 05:05:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, you need to take some food out there on a plate, sit down next to the porch, and just quietly call and coax the cat out. It will take a long time. And there is no such word as "terrorfied." 'Terrified' is the proper word.
2007-08-15 05:04:58 · answer #8 · answered by gilgamesh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave him for now he's probably hurt or scared. put some food and water and some bedding close to him or try and lure him out with a treat. dont rush him or he'll get scared and go back under. once he calms down, try sitting at a distance so he's at least comfortable with you there. if it doesnt work, you might have to trap him with a towel or call a vet and see what he says. maybe you could by a humane trap but he wont like that. just calmly lure him out, tempt him with treats, toys and let him know you still love him
2007-08-15 05:05:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Indoor only cats who escape are often frightened. And he seems not to recognize you, so he may really be scared and defensive. If he chases a laser pointer, this might work to lure him out. But I would suggest just sitting on the ground where he can see you and reading to him. He may recognize your voice and come towards you.
2007-08-15 05:26:22 · answer #10 · answered by cat lover 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋