04/07/2026
LOST/MISSING CATS ( TIPS
1. Cats will come back to the way they left the exit area that they left the house. ( window, door, garage etc.,,)
2. They only travel a couple block radius from home,
3. They 99% of time know where home is. They are fantastic at smells.
4. Do NOT put the cat litter box out. This is a myth. Cat p*e is actually used for coyote bait. And it invites other male Tom cats to spray your house marking it as their territory. Both these scenarios could keep your kitty from coming home.
5. Leave wet stinky smelly cheap cat food and water near area he left and this could lure him in.
6. Cats are extremely resourceful, they calculate every move from cover to cover. Excellent hunters even if never outside. it is inherent trait.
7. Once cats hit the grass they hit that wild mode of “freedom”. They really are more self reliant than ppl think. If never out before they can be out for up to 10 days. If they have been out before, it’s whenever they feel like coming home. I call this their Rumspringa or Walkabout. Once weather turns crappy they show up like nothing happened. Meanwhile owners are in panic mode.
Some things to do at night / early morning - as kitties most active evenings/dusk and early morning.
1. Use favorite toy or catnip, laser pointer to lure them out in a calm and quiet manner, they feed off our emotions and any anxiety it will likely bolt.
2. Kitty likely within ear or eyesight, as this is typical while you’re frantically calling. And literally, not come to you while sitting in the bush next to you. - extremely typical.
3. Like previously said wet smelly cheap cat food, fried chicken, sardines in oil ( oil less likely to fully freeze) and if you have a camera near the area feeding - I’d be extremely surprised if not coming around at night, when they think no one watching or around.
4. If he goes in a trap all the way and you’ve had enough of the waiting game, you can trap, however you’ll likely trap a lot more than just your cat. So be prepared. I put camera out see what time animal is coming and set trap in that time frame only. Keep trap locked open w all kinds of food in it and a treat or dry food trail from multiple directions back to the trap.. we want to see what is coming in.. once you get his time frame set it… if kitty hears trap go off prior or he’s not all the way in trap and gets out - good luck trapping him again.
I Love all my kitties, but I also have the understanding that cats are… (jerks) , and I tell everyone this. We are only here to feed them, give them water, clean their litter box and a warm bed. When lucky - you could have a snuggle, but in many cases you pet them when they want us to lol….
Usually suspect kitty to be close and stay optimistic. Sit outside and just call softly, laser pointer some catnip, toys or if you have treats, the treat bag shake or treat can shake can sometimes bring them home as well
