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2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39
Cats are often considered independent animals, who love to explore and hate any limitations in their movements or behaviors. In reality, each of them is different and reacts in their own way to the different stimuli offered by the outside world; some prefer to simply stay indoors. Unfortunately, however, for a series of reasons that we will analyze together, the possibility of them getting lost still exists. So here it is what to do if your cat is lost.
Possible causes
There are several factors that we often underestimate and that can lead a cat to get lost and never return home alone. Let's examine them here:
- Contact with other animals: many non-sterilized cats tend to have the impulse to leave the house in search of companions for the coupling. Regardless of the instinct for reproduction, however, other animals often represent a considerable distraction for the cat: they could see them as playmates, small prey to be chased at all costs or even threats from which to get away quickly.
- Boredom, curiosity: paradoxically, even the absence of distractions and stimuli can lead the cat to want to "change the air" for a while.
- Unexpected exploration: even the most experienced explorers can run into unexpected events totally independent of their will. This is the case, for example, of cats who tend to hide inside cars, risking to find themselves in a completely unknown area in a few minutes if the car is moved.
- Discomfort due to sudden changes: a move, a sudden change in the cat's daily routine or even the arrival of a new pet in the house can cause him enough discomfort to push him out, even if he normally tends not to want to venture outside.
What to do if the cat is lost
If you have seen the cat go away
If you have seen your cat heading out, go after it, but don't run and do not make noise. Try not to lose sight of it: Usually when a cat ventures outside it can be overwhelmed by smells and sounds it is not used to, so the first thing it might do is find a safe place to hide near home.
Any possible noise, even a clap of hands or the sound of your voice shouting his name, could scare him further. If he stops staring at you, kneel immediately without looking him in the eye and extend your hand. Try calling him using a tone of voice as calm as possible. If there are no distractions or obstacles separating you, it may be heading towards you.
If the cat got lost before you could see it
If, on the other hand, you realize that the cat has moved away before you could see it, follow these tips:
- Keep calm: if you get overwhelmed by fear you will end up making things worse and maybe wasting precious time to find the traces of your four-legged friend.
- You do local mind: rethink his habits and any favorite hiding places, check them carefully one by one and then go through all the unusual places he might be using as a temporary hiding place (radiators, old furniture, cellars, attics, garden sheds); don't forget to look up (roofs, gutters, trees, balconies).
- Equipped with a flashlight (even during the day) and his favorite toy, proceed with one detailed search in the area around your home; remember not to make too loud noises and do not rush to move away, because in most cases the first hiding places of a cat on the run are near the house;
- If you have recently moved home, go and take a look at yours old house, perhaps asking your former neighbors for news and asking them to check the same type of hiding places that you have already excluded in your home;
- Hang up and distribute flyers in the surrounding area, with a clear photo of your cat and information on how to contact you. THE social network like Facebook they can prove to be even more useful for the same purpose because they are able to reach many more people at the same time, while allowing you to continue with the searches in the neighborhood together with friends and neighbors;
- Remove any other animals in the area, which could pose a danger to your cat or simply discourage him from returning with their smell;
- Prefer the early hours of the morning e the evening to search: this is the moment when the noises of the city fade and it is easier to perceive a possible recall by the animal. In addition, animals feel safer in the evening, so if your cat is hiding nearby waiting to calm down, it may come out at that time;
- Place his l in front of the house, perhaps with a bowl of fresh water, so that the smell easily recognizable to him brings him back home. We also advise against leaving food because it could also attract other animals and cause the opposite effect.
Preventive measures
- It would be a good idea to equip your cat with a collar equipped with a GPS device, which is extremely useful for its tracking;
- Implant a identification microchip it is also a safe and relatively inexpensive alternative to safeguard the well-being of your pet. In this case, your cat will be found more easily because collars or tags can come off in a second, but the microchips, similar in shape and size to a grain of rice, will remain in place under his skin. When a cat with an implanted microchip is found, the unique identification code on the chip is read, from which it will be possible to trace the origin of the animal and contact the owner;
- Sterilize the cat, while not completely eliminating the risk of loss, it significantly reduces it since it cancels the reproductive instinct in the animal;
- Once the chip has been implanted in your cat, it will also be possible to enroll it in the National Feline Registry, to which you can provide a whole range of useful information in case of loss;
- Have some ready recent photos of your cat, and not only of its adorable face: take a clear and color photo of the entire animal so that it can be identified by means of it in case of need;
- Investigate the various associations they offer assistance in case of loss of animals. Their volunteers will be ready to answer any questions that may help you in your search.
- The installation of fences and protective nets for windows or walls will ensure that the cat can enjoy an outdoor space without going too far.
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