Key takeaways
Trapping or catching a cat is notoriously difficult. They are brilliant escape artists, and chasing them will only make them run further.
It's essential you take the best steps to catch your cat when you find them, otherwise, you may risk them running away again, and this time, even further.
In this guide, we explore the top three techniques to catch your kitty, before exploring the best ways to comfort them when they're home.
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How to catch lost cats
Trap them
Set up wildlife cameras: Capturing footage around your house and in the area where you spotted your lost cat can help you decide where to put your traps.
Disguise the trap: Covering the trap with sheets or blankets will make it more likely your kitty will venture inside.
Use strong-smelling food: Cats have an excellent sense of smell and it's likely your lost cat is pretty hungry! By placing strong smelling food into the trap, you'll make it easier for your furry friend to find it and tuck in!
Traps can attract other wildlife and pets, so checking it regularly is essential
Don't leave your cat in the trap for too long otherwise they will become even more distressed
Place your trap in a safe place so you don't lure your cat into a dangerous situation
Lure them home
Leave food outside: Lost cat behavior usually follows instinctual decisions, one of which is the need to seek food. Leaving their favorite treats outside your house and some strong-smelling food, like tuna and other tinned fish, can be very effective in luring them back home.
Leave their litter box outside: The most attractive smell for your kitty will be their territory, and their litter box will have the strongest scent. Leaving this outside can help your furry friend find their way home, but be careful as it can also attract other cats and wildlife.
Leave toys, blankets, and clothes outside: Any item that your cat has left their scent on will also be effective in luring them home, like old toys and linen.
Open up doors and windows: Our cats also have fantastic hearing, and we can tap into this to lure them home. As well as calling their name regularly, open up doors and windows so familiar sounds from the house can travel further.
Patience
Bring treats: Bringing an offering can help your cat take an interest in you and can convince them to come over and check you out.
Play a familiar sound: When my kitty went missing, we recorded the sound of our front door opening, which indicated it was dinner time. When we finally found them, we played this noise over and over again until, eventually, he came over to us!
Don't approach them: Your cat's fight-or-flight mode will mean they'll be more skittish than usual, so avoid approaching them or walking towards them, as this can cause them to run further away.
Talk to them: Our furry friends can recognize specific vocal patterns, and yours will be most familiar to them! Continually talking to them can help them remember that you are safe.
What to do when they're home
Secure the house
All windows are closed
All doors are closed
You take extra care when leaving and entering the house
Check them over
Malnourishment: If they look visibly thinner and their coat doesn't look healthy, they may be malnourished.
Surface injuries: Check your kitty for scratches and cuts, as these can quickly become infected if your cat is struggling to heal.
Other injuries: Broken limbs are also very common among feral cats and cats that spend a lot of time outdoors. Look out for limping when your kitty is walking, or holding their paw up when they are sitting.
Take them to a vet
FAQs
How do I capture my lost cat?
To capture your lost cat, you'll need to be very patient. Do not approach them directly or attempt to pick them up, and never chase them! Instead, sit patiently with some treats and wait for your cat to come to you. If they are reluctant, you may need to use a humane trap.
How can I attract my lost cat?
To attract your lost cat, you need to tap into their strong sense of smell. Leave out strong-smelling foods, like canned tuna, familiar-smelling clothes and toys, and their litter box.
How to catch a cat that runs away?
Never chase a cat that runs away when you are trying to catch them. Instead, you should sit patiently with some treats and lure them to you. If this doesn't work, try a humane trap.
What are the chances of finding a lost cat?
The chances of finding a lost cat are around 70%. This means you are more likely to find your missing kitty than not!
How to catch a stray cat without a trap?
If you're trying to catch a stray cat without a trap, you should sit patiently with treats to lure them to you. Don't approach them, grab them, or chase them.
How do cats survive when they run away?
Cats survive when they run away by hunting for food and finding shelter. However, an indoor cat may not have the necessary experience of the outdoors to survive predators and cold weather for too long.
Will a cat come back if they run away?
Many cats do come back if they run away, as they have natural homing abilities. However, you shouldn't wait for this to happen. Instead, actively search for them and report them missing to local animal shelters.
Final thoughts
Written by
In this blog, I combine my two areas of expertise: pets and writing. I share my personal experiences alongside plenty of animal behavior research to help owners look after their pets. I have always lived with furry friends and am now a loving cat mum to two orange kitties.
