How to Find a Lost Outdoor Cat

About 15% of cat owners lose their pet within a five-year period, according to a 2018 study funded by the University of Queensland. The research also found that the chances of finding a lost cat are significantly higher if the owner conducts a thorough physical search. How far away from home missing cats are found highly depends on their personality. The study confirmed that lost indoor cats travelled shorter distances compared to indoor-outdoor cats and outdoor-only cats.

So based on this information, what are the most effective ways on how to find a lost outdoor cat? Understanding lost cat behavior would also help you determine how you can find your lost pet as soon as possible. When a cat that spends a lot of time outdoors goes missing, it’s also best to understand the all possible circumstances surrounding the disappearance.

Top 5 Reasons an Outdoor Cat Gets Lost

Cats are generally territorial and are often creatures of habit. Outdoor cats, however, tend to be more independent and usually explore around a wider area on a daily basis. More often than not, there’s a major reason why a cat who loves the outdoors suddenly can’t make his way back home.

1. Your cat is injured

An outdoor cat can get sick or injured for a variety of reasons such as vehicular accidents, ingesting poison, or getting into a fight with a dog or another cat. When a cat suffers injuries, its first instinct would be to hide where it can feel safe and recuperate. If the injury sustained is fatal, the cat can die inside its hiding place. This is where it’s extremely important things to do a thorough search right away, and cover a wider area as necessary.

2. Your outdoor cat is trapped

It’s in the nature of cats to be curious. They may be taking a peek inside someone else’s garage or shed, where they end up being trapped when the owner closed the doors. It’s also common for cats to be trapped on top of the trees where they may have run after getting into a chase.

3. Your cat was escaping a threat

Outdoor cats come and go as they please.  If they see a threat such as an animal or a moving truck, the cat flees the scene and may end up in unfamiliar territory. A cat that feels threatened and finds itself in unfamiliar surroundings will follow its instinct to hide.  Depending on your cat’s personality, it might take him a long time to break cover and try to find his way back. Lost cats will most likely come out of hiding to look for food. They may break cover during hours when it’s dark and quiet. This is the reason why it’s worth a try searching for a lost cat at dusk or dawn.

4. Your cat was displaced

Your cat may have jumped onto an open vehicle or a parked RV and was unintentionally transported away from its territory. In the worst-case scenario, your cat may have been transported across the country. This is why it’s important that pet cats are given updated identification tags. Finding a cat with a microchip can also be helpful in such situations.

5. Your cat was taken

There’s definitely a possibility that someone has taken your cat, either because they’re mistaken for a stray or simply because they don’t like animals roaming in the neighborhood. It’s also possible that someone found your cat, thought it was lost, and was only trying to help a stray cat. If your cat’s ID tag has the correct information, you will be contacted by the founder right away.

2. Knock door to door

Bear in mind that your cat could be trapped somewhere and couldn’t escape. You may want to ask people for permission to search their sheds, underneath porches, and garages in case your cat is your cat is hiding in these places. If your cat has a curious personality, there’s a good chance you will find him inside someone else’s home. While you’re searching, don’t forget to check roofs and trees.

3. Search all possible hiding places

If a cat is in a fearful state after feeling threatened and going into hiding, it may not answer when you call it. When you do your search, check every corner and any possible hiding place big enough for your cat to crawl into. Check construction sites, parking lots, and alleys. It would also help to search in the dark, when it’s quiet and you can hear your cat better in case he responds.

4. Report your lost pet to PawMaw.com

You can seek assistance from concerned community members by reporting your lost cat to PawMaw.com. You can post a listing for free and browse the lost animal’s database, in case someone has already seen and reported your lost pet. PawMaw also allows you to send out a free alert.

Here is more tips on lost outdoor cat

How to Find My Lost Outdoor Cat?

If your cat doesn’t really spend as much time indoors as it does outdoors, and it may take a while longer before you even notice that he has gone missing. The best piece of advice you should heed to, if you want to find your lost outdoor cat as soon as possible, is to start a physical search within a reasonable distance from home. And lastly, don’t forget the other essential tips for finding a lost cat.