Key takeaways
It's tricky enough when your cat goes AWOL. But when it comes to tiny, curious kittens, finding them can feel like a lost cause. But it doesn't have to be. Follow our systematic approach and tick off all possible hiding places in and out of the house before you begin to panic.
Unless your kittens have already ventured into the great outdoors, the likelihood is that they have found the perfect snoozing spot somewhere in your house. Even the smallest apartments have a surprising number of hiding places for your fur baby. Follow our checklist in this article to find them.
If there's no sign of them indoors, it's time to start a wider search. While cats have incredible homing abilities, your lost kitten may not have had enough time or practice to really tap into this superpower. So you'll need to help attract them back to the house.
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Where do lost kittens hide in the house?
Under beds: Poking your head under the bed just won't do. It's dark, and there are objects to hide behind and in. Pull out all the items under every bed in the house. Remember to do so gently while calling your kitten's name so you don't startle them.
On beds: Now, we're not talking about a cat curled up on the end of the bed. I remember when my fur baby went missing, and I eventually found her fast asleep IN a pillowcase. For this reason, you'll need to take all bedding, pillows, and blankets off the bed to double check your tiny friend hasn't settled in for the night tangled in sheets!
Cupboards, drawers, and furniture: Kittens are the greatest opportunists. If you leave a cupboard door open for a second and turn your back, you bet your curious kitty will be trying to explore this exciting new place. It's possible you didn't notice and accidentally trapped them once you shut the doors. Don't worry! Stay calm and check all the furniture throughout the house, opening doors and drawers as you go.
Move your couches: Yep, that's right. These furry little nightmares will get you uprooting your whole living room. Remove any throws or pillows from your couches and then slowly pick them up and move them to give you a full view of the underneath.
Utilities: Fridges, freezers, dryers, washing machines, and any place that could look intriguing to a brand-new kitten is worth checking. Whether they're desperate for that bit of cheese left in the fridge drawer or they want to try out the spinning washing machine, don't underestimate their determination.
Wall cavities: While you may be rolling your eyes and questioning our madness at this point, trust us. It happens more often than you think! Unless they're new builds, most houses will have some sort of hole or access to the house's inner walls. And wouldn't that make the perfect hiding spot? Search for any access points and listen for quiet meows and scratching. If successful, attract them back to the hole by leaving treats and food and calling their name.
“Unless your kittens have already ventured into the great outdoors, the likelihood is that they have found the perfect snoozing spot somewhere in your house.”
Lost kittens outdoors
Under cars: Kittens are likely to be afraid if they haven't gone exploring before. This means they'll try to find secluded places to hide, and this often results in kittens under cars. Not only is this dangerous if the car starts to move but there is the added risk of oil spills. When I found my timid cat hiding under a car, it took at least five baths to remove all of the oil from her fur. Remember, this is extremely toxic to cats if they try to clean themselves.
Up trees: Your kitten probably hasn't had the opportunity to climb yet, which is a natural and exciting instinct for them. They seek high vantage points because they feel safest from potential predators and other wildlife (source). Check all of the trees around your house and listen for quiet meows. Be warned; you may have to call the fire brigade to help reach your furry friend.
In hedges: Thick brambles and tangled twigs make the perfect hiding place. However, it also makes it difficult to escape once you're in. Not only can thorns and sharp sticks injure your kitten, but if they happen to become stuck, they can be very hard to find. For this reason, it's important to systematically check all hedges and bushes in your back and front garden. If they are injured, they may be unable to respond to your calls, so don't rely on listening alone.
In bins: If you own a kitten, you know they'd do anything to eat a scrap of food. If they smell an area where all your scraps end up (i.e., your bins), they'll think they've hit the jackpot. Unfortunately, if bin lids are lefts open, they can blow shut in the wind, trapping your little buddy. Check in and around all of the trash to make sure this hasn't happened.
Sheds and outhouses: Sheds provide the perfect shelter from extreme weather and predators. It's possible your kitten found a hole or a small window to enter the building but is struggling to leave again. Open up all doors and windows and get searching.
Tips for finding lost kittens
Chat with your neighbors
Attract them back home
Leave their litter box outside
Leave blankets and clothing that they have slept on outside
Open up your doors and windows to help them hear
Leave treats and food around the outside of the house
Keep calling their name throughout the day and utilizing any familiar noises, like shaking treats and opening cans of food.
Why do kittens run away?
1.
They are curious
2.
Their home has been disturbed (loud noises, new visitors, etc.)
3.
They don't feel safe
4.
They are sick or injured
FAQs
Can kittens find their way home if lost?
Kittens can find their way home if they are lost, but how well their homing abilities are developed depends on their age, whether they are indoors only, and how long they have lived at your house. Be sure to make your kitten wear a collar in case someone else finds them.
Kitten missing for 24 hours
Kittens can go missing for 24 hours and return home completely fine. However, it depends on your kitten's age and whether they have been outdoors before. Start searching for them immediately; it's never too soon!
Can cats find their lost kittens?
Cats have an incredible bond with their babies, and they can often find their lost kittens if they go missing. When separated, 23% of cats searched for their kittens for over a week (source).
How long does it take for a lost kitten to come home?
Cats can come back home from anywhere between 24 hours to 10 days to even years. However, kittens don't have the same developed homing abilities, so it's worth continually searching for your kitten to help them find their way.
Will my 3-month-old kitten come back?
At three months old, your kitten will be just beginning to socialize and explore a little further afield. This means they won't necessarily have developed their homing abilities fully. They likely won't travel far and should still come back, but it's important to start physically searching for them.
How do I find my lost kitten at night?
To find your lost kitten at night, do the following:
Bring treats and food to shake and leave out
Bring a torch
Don't be too loud to avoid startling your kitten
Listen for meows in answer to their name[[/faq-answer]]
I lost my kitten outside
If you have lost your kitten outside, don't panic. Open up your doors and windows and start searching the outside space. Check:
Under cars
Up trees
In hedges and bushes[[/faq-answer]]
Kitten lost in house?
Losing a kitten in the house happens more often than you would have thought. Be sure to check the following places:
Wall cavities
Utilities (washing machine, dryer, fridge)
Under and in furniture
Under and in beds[[/faq-answer]]
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.
