These examples go to show that when they are scared, cats will conceal themselves and miss opportunities to be rescued. If driven out of their own territory by another alpha cat who is larger and more aggressive, cats … I can't help but wonder where on Earth my cats go when they head 'through the cat flap'. Obviously, ‘survive ’ is the key word here. It is not unheard of for people to think a cat is homeless and take it in. If your cat is taking longer than a day to come home, there could be a problem. I hate to mention the possibility but it does need to be considered. Once you have your little bundle of fur back with you, prevent this from happening again. Cats sometimes get lost after climbing inside a vehicle that drives away. Start a search as soon as you realize your cat has vanished. It can take longer if something has happened to prevent the cat from going home, such as injury, becoming trapped in a structure, being picked up by a concerned individual or a shelter, etc. Cats love wandering and can very easily get beguiled by some interesting new territory. This is obnoxious, of course, but it does occur. Cats can be easily distracted by this and it’s a common reason why your kitty might go missing from home for hours or even days at a time. The best advice is to start a local search as soon as you realize your cat has vanished. We're planning on giving out hand-outs asking people if they've seen him tomorrow. Even so, collars can be lost, especially the breakaway collars I recommend for safety. If you have a neighbour who was away during your last round of enquiries, check-in with that person. She was fatter than when she had left. ! Cats Are Curious. Call your cat’s name the way you usually do, stand in your garden and have a loud conversation for your cat to hear your voices. In this situation, some can revert to a wild state and manage to hunt or scavenge, but most will struggle to survive. Cats like to roam, not always that far but they are naturally inquisitive which can sometimes lead them in the wrong direction. They are a true masterpiece of nature and formidable tools of vision. The number one method that was the most successful in recovering a missing cat was conducting a physical search of the area. It was the most horrifying, panic-drenched 36 hours of my life. Usually, a missing cat will return within 24 hours. On average, once a cat has been missing for 24 hours it will typically be missing for another 1 to 2 days before being found. You have done so much already. You then have a cat that’s not getting out until the door gets opened again and in the meantime, a very worried owner. … They keep it indoors where they think it is safe not realizing that someone is fretting over its wherabouts. I, myself, have had three cats given up for lost that have returned: 1. Some how he jumped into my Tahoe window which wasn't but a quarter open and he couldn't even use his back legs he dragged himself 2 weeks but now he just has a slight limp. Have your vet look at her to make sure she hasn’t picked up any diseases. Important Note: If your cat is missing … If a cat has ventured a little further than usual and something takes it by surprise, its natural flight reflexes may cause it to bolt for cover. Find and buy the best cat tracker in the UK today. I have a one year old male cat who is not neutered and is usually a house cat. How long do cats go missing for? Our cats are mostly house cats (one of them never goes further than the garden and rarely further than the back doorstep to sunbathe, the other will go a little further than that but within sight of the house) so it would be highly unusual if they went missing. No creature can go without food or water for a long time, and cats are no exception. 0 like. I also had my other cat go missing a week I believe he was hit by a car too I found him hiding in a unused car in my yard. 10/25/2014 at 11:22 AM. Staff Member. When one doesn’t come back at the usual time, panic quickly sets in. Un-neutered and Un-spayed Cats Often Go Missing For male tom-cats which haven’t been neutered one of the most common reasons why they may disappear for several days (or even weeks sometimes) is they have caught scent of a female cat in heat. Reactions: catladyjess31 and noblibluewolf. Quite often, they are gone for days at a time. You should do this within a couple of days of your cat going missing. In fact, a cat usually has its fate sealed in the first few hours after it goes out. Most of the time, cats will stay relatively close to their home and will stick to their known territory. On the 18th december (sunday morning) he jumpd out of our window and when i got up he was nowhere to b seen. A healthy cat should have absolutely no problem taking care of herself for this kind of time-span; cats are highly adaptable and very good at finding food and shelter when they need to. Send out Rapid Lost Pet Alerts to vet clinics, animal shelters, and PetRescuers within a 25-mile radius of where your pet was lost. Your cat will probably be ravenous at first but you shouldn’t let her overeat. The odds are very good that your cat will wander back on his own in a day or two. Make sure you check her carefully for pest infestations or injuries. You may also want to take out an ad in the paper. It’s extremely likely that your cat will return unscathed on her own but you can still do things to help get her back. How likely is it that I'll ever find George again? It is very distressing when a cat does not come home. Hopefully, your cat will be back with you soon. It takes time and effort to learn their behaviour but its completely worth it. most cats will come back, especially if they are inside cats. If your cat is a serial offender and goes missing often, you might not worry for the first 24 hours. The owners of the garage had actually opened their garage the day before to see if he was in there but he had obviously hidden from them and missed his chance to escape. Like many cats, Gracie is a little stubborn. Felines like to explore their terrain, which could keep them away from home for a while. So in answer to the question ‘how long do cats go missing for?’ – it is impossible to say for sure. When you allow them outside you know when to expect them home. Moderator. But we always see him somewhere around the estate when he's out, but we've not seen him. If your cat hasn’t returned by the time dinner time comes around, however, you might be worried that your cat is missing. Written by Richard Parker Basic instincts govern felines, so your house cat may go missing for hours or even days at a time. I know it’s easy to tell someone how to prevent something from happening after it has happened. Because some people still don’t seem aware that cats have microchips, when they find a hungry unknown cat in their garden, they assume it’s a stray, feed it, and adopt it (or it adopts them!). Sometimes cats get stuck on roofs or in trees, etc., having climbed up and found they can’t get down. Once you’re sure they’re not in the house, start to go a little further afield, starting with the bushes and shrubs in your garden and the surrounding area. As an owner, you get to know your cat’s habits. I've been searching for him endlessly but still no luck. After the first night, we scoured the neighborhood, posting leaflets through doors asking people to check their sheds, garages, and other outbuildings. Make another round of the local shelters and think hard about anything you may have missed. Why Do Cats Leave and Come Back? Of course, there are many others. But I have had cats go missing for 5 days. Cats are known for their fast healing ability. So to keep your cat from wandering and becoming lost you should seriously consider neutering or spaying. Finally, I hope your cat never goes missing but if it does, spread the word far and wide. It is far better to reduce the chances of your cat going missing by having it spayed/ neutered, having it micro-chipped, keeping in after dark, having set meal times, and by stimulating it in your home with lots of play and affection. In a moment of clarity I gathered myself, sat on the floor with tears streaming down my face and Googled "what to do if your cat goes missing." His owner had checked there many times but he has remained hidden. How long do your cats stay outside for? my 1year old cats been missiing for 5 days now, he's never gone missing before, only for 2days at the most. After the second night, we traipsed around the same areas calling his name. Some cats see an unattended vehicle with a door left open as an invitation to come on in and explore – they just can’t resist it. Abusive humans are a growing concern. However, if the kitty is not micro-chipped, what can the vet do? Female cats should be checked for pregnancy if they got out before they were spayed. Usually, a cat wandering off is due to curiosity, hunting, or territorial instincts. Call local vets and rescue centers, put up posters locally and talk to all your neighbors. Cases of cats having been adopted in this way are often only discovered if the new owner takes the cat to a vet and the vet happens to scan it and finds it is micro-chipped, which leads to the discovery of the prior owner. In 2013 academics from the Royal Veterinary College and the Universities of Lincoln and Bristol together with a team from BBC Horizon studied 50 cats living in the village of Shamley Green, near Guildford UK. How Long Do Cats Go Missing For? Cats are not only fantastic pets but also wonderful and complex animals with great personalities. I expect this cat missing it's tail will also fully recover. Best Cat Tracker UK – Opinion – I Need Stuff, […] regret it! To get the recovery process underway in a matter of minutes log in now. This is one of many reasons why cats go missing. Some cats can go missing for hours, some for a day or two, and some for a week or more. Something worth pointing out is that fatter cats are not necessarily going to survive longer just because they are fat. Verify that your contact information is correct and upload a recent picture of your missing dog, cat, or other pet. it is cold outside so they will look for a warm place to sleep. They will most likely be quite close and locked in somewhere they ventured into. If your cat has never gone missing before, it’s best to worry sooner rather than later. It’s not uncommon for cats to sneak into a shed, garage, outbuilding etc and become stuck there, either because someone closed a door while the cat was inside or because the cat can’t get out the way she came in. Fortunately, you can find some answers right here. I have an un-neutered male cat who has been away from home for more than 2 weeks. The sooner you do something the better chance you have of finding your lost feline friend. My mum just happened to see it, and sure enough it was our moggy. If possible, leave his litter-box out too. It’s not unknown for a cat to come down with something or become injured; in this case, she may well decide to find a secure spot and hide for a while till she feels better. Cats can go astray for so many reasons. Then there are cats who go missing for several months and even a year or two or three, sometimes considerably longer. On the whole owners will discover that their cat will happily return back home each night. It’s a scary and distressing time for any cat owner when a pet goes astray. For those who wonder if their missing cat will come back, statistics show that the vast majority do find their way home. If your cat is chipped and wears a collar with your name and contact details, you have a good chance of being reunited soon. If your cat looked as though she was lost, she may have been taken in by a neighbour or a passer-by. Norachan; Jun 22, 2013 . I almost searched my entire area. This will allow your cat to relocate his home via smell.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'catbeep_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',143,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'catbeep_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',143,'0','1'])); .leader-2-multi-143{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-top:15px !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;text-align:center !important;}. Then there are cats who go missing for a couple of months or three or four, and then again, there are cats who go missing for a year or two or three, sometimes considerably longer. Cats are very territorial (even neutered ones). If they haven’t yet returned, give them a few hours before you make a plan of action. A missing cat is something most cat owners experience at some point. and turn up again as soon as their humans come home. If your feline is skipping meals or rejecting water, there’s an underlying reason. Even indoor-only cats may slip out the door unexpectedly. Enjoy the site. One of our cats went missing a few years ago. Call their name and hopefully, they’ll respond. Unspayed females can become frustrated and may seek out the company of male cats. How long do cats go missing for? The driver is then faced with the problem of what to do for the best, especially if they have made several stops that day and have no idea where their furry stowaway embarked on their journey. My cat went missing for only 3 days earlier this year and that was bad enough. The worry, the stress; wondering what could have happened and how long it will be before your pet is safely home again. Try not to panic. This is when it will find that open garage and go in for a … The best advice is to start a local search as soon as you realize your cat has vanished. My cat Gracie was missing for 36 hours. In one instance I’m familiar with, a family “lost” their cat after getting a new dog. If you're the owner of an indoor-outdoor cat, you may be faced with a situation in which your kitty is suddenly missing. I know some people find their pets months or even years after they go missing but I think these cases must be the exception rather than the norm. Others go missing when their humans go on holiday (maybe they go looking for them?) In situations like this, vets often turn to social media and lost pet sites to advertise the details of the cat. —The Reality. Most cats don’t stay missing for very long (the old saw that “she’ll come home when she’s hungry” often holds true) and typically recover very well once they do come back. It’s always difficult when a beloved cat goes missing. Occasionally they go so far that they can’t find their way home. While both types of cats may be equally likely to go missing, indoor-only cats are much more likely to be found (Table 2). How long will it take for your cat to come home. Usually, a missing cat will return within 24 hours. Hopefully, the vet finds the cat is microchipped and the owner is traced. Once these well-meaning new owners let their ‘new’ cat out, said cat often returns to its real home, much to the delight of its real owners, who then wonder where it has been for weeks! After a week or so they will be at serious risk of developing irreversible health issues. Roamed around streets with his food calling his name. Some people think it’s reasonable to take a beloved cat away from the owner as retribution. Generally speaking, yes. There are many pet locators on the market. Ensure your cat eats well and at routine times as this will help to keep their focus and prevent hunting needs from rising to the surface. Send out Rapid Lost Pet Alerts to vet clinics, animal shelters, and PetRescuers within a 25-mile radius of where your pet was lost. Even indoor-only cats may slip out the door unexpectedly. If you haven’t already, have your cat microchipped as this gives people who find a stray cat the best chance of reuniting it with its family. If you’ve wondered why cats do this, then I … Be prepared for a period of adjustment when your cat finally does come back. I think after 2 weeks I would personally not give up hope, although I think there is a limit to how "intensely" you can maintain the search for her. he is not neutered. She will probably be very shaken up after two weeks away from home. From how long it usually takes for a lost cat to come home to the tricks that can bring a cat back, we have the answers you’re looking for. An RFID chip can’t get snagged or fall off, and gives vets or shelters a way to reunite you with your pet. After months of cold weather, he is probably just out enjoying himself. My case records show a similar trend with around 75% of lost indoor-only cats being found versus only 33% of lost outdoor-access cats. After two weeks, I would definitely be concerned about my cat’s whereabouts. Create a Lost Pet poster using the uploaded photo. This is of course extremely rare but you occasionally see news items about these incidents in the press. Keep searching for your pet and don’t give up. The first thing I read said that fewer than 2 percent of missing cats are ever returned to their owners. The microchip is a an absolute boon as it enables people who find a stray cat to have it scanned for a chip. He was found to cover up to 3.3 hectares (eight acres) in a 24 period, a larger area than any other cat. A healthy cat can survive without food for a couple of weeks. This is why I advocate for cats to be kept indoors if at all possible: the world is full of risks, from fast-moving vehicles to aggressive dogs and other possible predators. You’re probably reading this as one of your cats hasn’t returned, it’s a horrible feeling. Welcome to CatBeep – My name is Barbara Read and I’ve spent most of my life around cats and would love to share my knowledge, experience and research with you. One of our cats was trapped in a neighbor’s garage for two nights but we’ve known cats who have been gone for a week, even months, but have eventually returned home. When she's chilling in a closet or napping under the couch, she's not coming out, whether you call her name or not. Some people taking it upon themselves to destroy “stray” cats with poison, while others kill pets for fun. But as soon as your cat has been gone for longer than any previous time, you should start to feel concerned and begin your hunt. On average, once a cat has been missing for 24 hours it will typically be missing for another 1 to 2 days before being found. They lay low and hide and wait. Cats are not only fantastic pets but also wonderful and complex animals with great personalities. While some cats have the remarkable ability to use the homing instinct to work their way back to their territory, other cats that are displaced either don’t possess this skill or they’re too frightened to use it. It’s vital that seeking veterinary attention be your first step to uncover what’s really going on. Also, take a packet of treats, a tin with a tin opener, or your cat’s favourite noise-making toy during your checks. How Long Can a Missing Cat Go Without Food? How long do cats go missing for? It takes time and effort to learn their behaviour but its completely worth it. This 10-year-old Siamese mix came running across the field one sunny day after being missing for four months! We were lucky to hear him meow from inside someone’s garage but then had to wait several hours for them to come home from work to release him. I've been worried sick about him. An absence of a week is rather concerning but not terribly unusual. If at all possible it is best to encourage your cats to come inside before darkness falls and then keep them in overnight. It can take longer if something has happened to prevent the cat from going home, such as injury, becoming trapped in a structure, being picked up by a concerned individual or a shelter, etc. The longest time he has been out is 3days. Here are a few suggestions that might help: Cats with very small or no gardens at all will need other things to occupy them. Verify that your contact information is correct and upload a recent picture of your missing dog, cat, or other pet. Most shelters will not keep a cat indefinitely. The median distance found (how far the cats traveled) for missing outdoor-access cats was 315 meters (344 yards). Reason 8: Your cat runs away from home due to a baby arrival. At the next stop, one of two things usually happens: either the cat darts out and runs away (worst-case scenario) or the driver is able to contain the cat (hoped-for scenario). They do this all the time without going getting lost for more than just a couple of hours. If they see an open door, they love to have a nose at what’s inside. How Far Do Cats Go? my cat gets out every once in a while and he always comes back howling at the door. So, how long do cats go missing for? cats go missing for as long as they feel like. You can fetch him back using a humane trap baited with his favourite treats. Playing with your cat regularly provides important stimulation and this can help to prevent them from wandering off in search of adventure. Phone your local shelters and vets to see if they’ve encountered a cat matching your pet’s description (chipping should obviate this but sometimes the chip is missed). Sometimes they lose their bearings and can’t find their way home. Is It Okay for a Cat to Lie on Your Pregnant Belly? I’ve known several cat owners who went through agonies of worry over a missing cat, while the object of their concern spent a couple of days being fed and pampered on someone’s sofa. https://petfbi.org/i-lost-a-cat/tips-to-lure-a-cat-back-home-2 These statistics on cats running away can help provide some context [4]: 75% of cats are found within a 500 m radius of their home, so a physical search is very important. If you're the owner of an indoor-outdoor cat, you may be faced with a situation in which your kitty is suddenly missing. This can make her sick. How Long Can Cats Go Without Food? Fortunately, you may not have too long to wait. Speak to neighbors and check garages and outbuildings where your cat might be trapped. If your pet is collared and chipped, someone else may bring him home or contact you with his whereabouts. Of course, she should also wear a collar with your details attached. Here are her recommendations, based on all those years of experience. Reply. Oftentimes, cats follow their curiosity. Our Facebook Ohio Administrator has been counseling and consoling people with lost cats for at least five years. If a cat is unsure of where it is after this panic sprint, it may then be unable to relocate its home territory. Often, cat-hating neighbors, who are tired of free roaming cats entering their yards, will bait a humane trap to remove the neighborhood cats. However, chances are your cat did go too far. The worst possibility is that your cat has suffered a serious injury or has lost her life. We had one go missing for 3 weeks, he'd wandered way over the other side of town and someone looked after him, but put a found advert in the paper. When cats go missing for weeks then return, they may have found a ‘new home’. They took the dog away for a short “holiday” at a friend’s house, and sure enough, the cat returned while the dog was away. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'catbeep_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',144,'0','0']));Four days is really not that long for a cat to go missing. An indoor life may seem limiting but it really is the best for your cat. These locators can really help speed up the process of finding your cat next time they’re out beyond curfew time. g.jpg. In fact, they will defend their territory at all costs. If you don’t locate your cat quickly, put up lost cat posters and spread the word on local social media groups and missing pet sites. Anonymous. Cats are very territorial (even neutered ones). It is, of course, a very difficult question to answer and we can only go on averages. Neutered males and spayed females generally have a smaller territory and rarely go far beyond it. How long do cats go missing for? In fact, a cat usually has its fate sealed in the first few hours after it goes out. What distance do cats roam? Another reason a cat might take longer to return is that she’s become trapped in a structure. While you might be worried, they’re likely to stroll in and wonder what all the fuss is about. I've hung flyers in the neighborhood, went to the local shelter to look for him there and nothing. Nov 23, 2019 - Most cats that go missing return home or are found within 24 hours. As suggested above, place her bedding and litter tray near the door to help her find the way back. Most cats that go missing return home or are found within 24 hours. I work with clients regularly on missing cats. I have a one year old male cat who is not neutered and is usually a house cat. In cases of displacement, even though the cat … Keep in mind that most cats, especially inside cats, do not go very far. A week’s time away does suggest something a bit more serious than the usual “got chased by a dog and hid in someone’s shed overnight” adventure; even so, cats generally come back even after this kind of timescale. Posted on Last updated: March 10, 2021 By: Author Jane Pettitt. If you’ve recently brought a new pet into the household, for instance, this may have caused the initial disappearance and may also be deterring your cat from coming home. Always do your best to help a cat you think is lost. Most cats are within a 1-mile radius of their home when they go "missing." Nausea swept over me in full waves. Found a Pet? It is now been 4 days and he still hasnt returned, noone has seen him and when i call him and go walking to look for him there is still no sign. How long your cat is missing before you worry will depend on many factors but many owners start to feel concerned if their cat is missing for over 8 hours. Some people will take the cat straight to the animal shelter (one reason why it is imperative that cat owners immediately search their shelter for their missing cat), and others will simply release the cat into another area of town. He is un-neutred, we were going to get him done, but he's gone missing. On the 18th december (sunday morning) he jumpd out of our window and when i got up he was nowhere to b seen. A less pleasant possibility is that your cat has been displaced deliberately. He was finally discovered several months later in a building site next to his home. My cat has gone missing will he come back. They may remove the cat to a shelter or simply take her to another location and let her go. This can happen if you have a dispute with a neighbour or other acquaintance. If it hasn’t happened to you then there’s a good chance it will do (unfortunately) at some time. With this purpose in mind, they also can easily lose their way. Nov 23, 2019 - How long do cats go missing for? But these things are really worthwhile considering most owners will experience this at some point. Gizmo was hiding inside an abandoned bathtub in a yard just two houses away. Tip: if you ever move house get your details updated on the microchip database – make sure you get details of how to do this from your vet when you have your cat microchipped. Well, usually they return within 24 hours. Cats can disappear for days at a time and return with no trouble, looking perfectly healthy. It’s unusual for a contented domestic cat to run off for more than 24 hours. Don’t forget about what happened here. This is when it will find that open garage and go in for a sniff only for the door to be shut behind them. If your cat is an unspayed female, she may have become pregnant and taken herself off to have her kittens. If you see your cat hanging around outside but he is skittish and resists your attempts to bring him in, something may have given him a scare. Consider putting up an advert in your local store or newsagent. Barbara Read - Cat owner, researcher and behavioural expert. If you’ve found this page, you probably have many concerns about your missing cat. Harriet N(3) 10/25/2014 at 11:22 AM. Cats which have regular access to the outside travel longer distances than indoor only cats which run away. Missing 2 year old male cat by: Anonymous Hi I had a ginger cat he used to go out every night and come back. The longest one of my cats went missing for a 2 months!! They probably stay within a five house radius for the first few days and weeks. So if your cat is naturally indoor-outdoor, there's a good possibility that he or … When the driver reappears, the cat hides and finds itself on an unplanned journey to who knows where with a blissfully unaware person at the wheel. When they do return, they don't seem to be hungry and seem pretty content with life. Call a local vet or cat rescue center for advice. There are lots of things you can do to speed up your cat’s return. You should also step up your searching activities, broadening the radius and checking in spots you may have missed. How long do cats go missing for? However, chances are your cat did go too far. Your cat may not even have wanted to leave in the first place, becoming lost after getting chased by a dog or pursuing a prey animal out of his normal range. This one (click to read reviews on Amazon) is our favorite because it is a nice size for a cat’s collar. People sometimes pick up “stray” cats and drop them at the shelter, too — one more reason why your cat should be chipped.
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