My Cat Ran Away! What Should I Do?

My cat ran away. How do I get him back? You may have a cat who likes to explore and go out on his personal adventures. And it’s fine. You’re used to your cat being gone for days at a time, because you know he eventually comes back. Cats do this a lot. But what if it’s taken far too long and you notice that the food bowl hasn’t been touched? Cats run away for several different reasons. Find out why your cat or kitten ran away and what you can do to get him back immediately.

Why Did My Cat Run Away?

A cat’s natural curiosity is one of the primary reasons why it sometimes leaves the comforts of home. Understanding the reasons why cats run away can help you prevent it from happening again in the future. House cats run away for reasons such as:

·       Searching for a mate. This is especially true for male cats, which have a higher tendency to wander off in search for a female in heat.

·       Chasing small animals. Cats have a strong prey drive and some of them just couldn’t resist the thrill of the chase. Your cat may have left home chasing after mice, a squirrel, or other prey.

·       Territory fights. Cats sometimes get displaced chasing after another cat that it considers breaching its territory.

·       Hunting for food. Some cats leave home to go after a food supply, it has gained access to.

Why does my cat run away from me? If your cat comes and goes and then suddenly doesn’t show up for a longer time, there’s also the slight chance that something bad has happened. Cats that leave home are prone to dangers such as:

·       Predation. Your cat may have been attacked by a larger animal.

·       Injury or death. Cats are extremely fast and agile, but they can also get hit by cars or injured in some way if they’re outdoors in a panicked state.

·       People. If your cat has been seen wandering unsupervised, somebody may have picked him up and brought him home or to an animal shelter. Your cat may also have been picked up by animal control.

Are there other reasons why my cat runs away from me? Cats may also run away because they’re not feeling well, mentally or physically.

·       Anxiety. Cats can get anxious when something about their daily routine or environment is disrupted. Anxious cats may run away if there’s a major change in the household. Find out if your cat has anxiety and how to treat it.

·       Age or illness. Lost cats are sometimes too old or too sick to return home. It’s also not uncommon to hear about dying cats suddenly leaving because they prefer to be alone and to rest on their last days.

Do Cats Come Back When They Run Away?   

My cat ran away. Will he come back? Cats sometimes disappear for periods of time. They often come back, but there are times when they don’t. If your cat has been gone for longer than you’re comfortable with, don’t worry because studies have shown that cats are somewhat able to find their way back home, even though it doesn’t happen a hundred percent of the time due to several factors.

·        Homing instincts

A survey by Lost Pet Research showed that 67% of indoor-outdoor cats and 25% of outdoor-only cats are able to demonstrate homing behavior. Only about 7% of indoor cats, however, are able to find their way back home after having been lost. Some animal behaviorists suggest that cats are able to follow direction based on the earth’s geomagnetic fields. Science has also shown that a cat’s keen sense of smell works allows it to track familiar scents that enable it to make its way back to its own territory.

·        Cat-human bond

Veterinary doctor Dr. Myrna Milani suggested that cats and their owners are connected at an atomic level. Based on her Bell’s Theorem, cats will be able to locate their owners when separated because of a human-animal bond created when atoms sync up in a natural rhythm. Humans and animals alike are made up of atoms and when separated, the paired atom alters direction.

·        Cat personality

Depending on your cat’s personality, he may have an easier or harder time to find his way back to you. If your cat is timid or easily frightened, he would spend a lot of time in hiding when displaced until he needs to look for food. If your cat is bold or friendly, he is more likely to come to you when you call him out during one of your searches.

What to Do If Your Cat Is Missing?

My cat runs away from me. What if he can’t come back? Cats have different reasons for running away and there are plenty of other factors why they may be unable to come back home, despite their innate ability to do so. So what can you do if your cat has gone missing? There are plenty of things, but first of all, you must remain calm and plan strategically.

·       Do a thorough search. Go door to door around the neighborhood and ask to look under porches, in the garages, crawl spaces, basements, and other places your cat may have squeezed into. Searching for a cat in hiding may be more effective if done during the night time or dawn.

·       Put up lost cat posters in strategic locations. Include a clear photo and your updated contact information.

·       Report your lost pet to PawMaw.com and alert community members in the area. You can also search the lost pet database in case someone has reported your lost cat.

·       Call animal control and shelters. Do this weekly or as often as necessary. You may also visit them in person.

·       Be ready for your cat’s return. Leave out food and make sure there’s a door or a window open to let your cat through in case he returns.

A little prevention of course doesn’t hurt. When your cat is safely back home with you, take some steps to make sure you never lose him again.

·       Make sure your cat’s ID collar tags are always updated.

·       Have your cat microchipped to make it easier to locate your pet when he goes missing.

·       Never leave your doors and windows open or your cat unattended,

·       Consider spaying or neutering your cat, to eliminate the possibility of him going out to look for a mate.

·       Train your cat to return home.

·       Provide a safe and secure cat sanctuary in your yard.

Will my cat run away? If your cat is an indoor cat with occasional access to the outdoors, there’s a high chance he might. So, it’s better to know the reasons why cats run away and do everything possible to keep it from happening. If your cat has already gone missing, stay focused on finding him and to never give up. Cats have the ability to return on their own and you can help your cat find his way home.