Why do cats get lost?

Although nowadays there are more and more cats that always live inside a house with their human family, there are others that go out for a walk almost or every day. Normally, if at home they receive all the care they need and feel comfortable, after having been outside for a while they return, but sometimes this does not happen, and that is when we wonder why cats get lost.

Furry animals have an excellent sense of direction, so it is rare that they do not know how to return home. Let's see what can happen to them.

Dangers outside

On the street, especially in the city, there are many dangers. Cars, people who do not like cats, poisons, ... If we live in one, the most sensible thing is not to let our furry out, because the risk of something serious happening to it is very high. Although we see that there are feline colonies and that they appear to be well, the reality is that without the care of the volunteers these animals would not live long. Therefore, if our cat goes out, can get lost or stop coming home due to the amount of dangers that may be encountered.

Why does a cat go and / or get lost?

It has moved away from its territory

Cats that go outside leave their scent for everything they consider their territory. But sometimes, either because he has met an unknown cat or because he has gone in search of a mate, he can leave his »domain». In doing so, since he has ended up in an area where he has never been, he sometimes has trouble returning.

He has gone looking for a partner

During the mating season (normally spring-summer, but it can last until autumn in warm climates) female cats that are not neutered will become very affectionate and at night they will meow desperately to want to go outside; on the other hand, male cats will do their best to meet female cats. And when I say everything, it is everything: from becoming aggressive - especially with other cats - to staying in front of the door to leave as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

For all this, once they get out, the first thing they are going to do is look for and find a possible partner to mate with her, not caring about anything else. The problem is that, especially the males, tend to fight with other cats, and they can be lost more easily because they tend to move away more than the females.

The cat has become pregnant

If our cat has gone outside and is not neutered or spayed, it is most likely that she will end up pregnant. In case of occurrence, she may decide to stay hidden until the cubs are born.

He has had an accident

It is one of the most common causes. Cats that live in cities or towns they are often victims of abuses, often quite serious. You have to think that a single hit can do them a lot of damage. My cat Benji for example had nothing broken (at least not in appearance), and yet he died from a chest trauma caused by the impact of a car.

Therefore, and taking into account that who else who has a vehicle less, you have to be very careful when passing through areas where there are or may be cats, because although what for us may be a simple touch, for them it is usually a major blow that will prevent them from returning home.

Has been poisoned

The sense of smell in cats is highly developed and, as a veterinarian told me, it is difficult to poison them. But of course, if they eat grass or animals that have been treated with toxic products, then the cat will be in serious danger.

But beware: symptoms may appear after hours or days, depending on the poison, so as soon as he returns home we will take him to the vet for a thorough examination.

Are the victim of abuse, or do not feel comfortable at home

The cat you need to live in a quiet, safe home, where you are respected and cared for with love and patience. But if we are constantly harassing him, forcing him to do things he does not want, ignoring his body language, or let alone mistreating him, that cat will leave as soon as he has a chance. And reasons will not be lacking.

If a cat runs away, does it come home?

It is impossible to know. As we have seen, there are several reasons why a cat can leave home. What I can tell you is that if it is an animal that has already left before, it will be much easier for it to return since it will detect smells that it knows and, therefore, it will be able to follow the trail to its home.

How long does it take for a cat to come home?

Again, depends. There are cats that, by accident, poisoning or disorientation, do not return. But if they are well (or well enough to be able to walk) and manage to orient themselves, it is normal that they take a few hours, unless it is the mating season in which case it will take longer (days or weeks).

What is the behavior of the lost cat?

A lost cat, especially if it has never been outside, is a feline that is going to have a very bad time. The first thing you will do is hide anywhere that makes you feel safe: garages, holes in the wall, under cars, between floors, ... When night comes, as there is less noise, it may come out of hiding, but it will not go far since it is normal to have a lot fear, or even freeze.

For this reason, it is very important to go looking for it without making too much fuss, with a can of wet food in hand. If he listens to us calmly, he will begin to feel that way too and that will be when he approaches us.

My cat has disappeared, how to find him?

If a cat disappears and does not return within 24 hours, or if it is a cat that has never been outside, what to do is the following:

Look for it around the house. If you live in an apartment, search the entire building and ask the neighbors.
Put up WANTED signs in the area, if possible offering financial reward (so people tend to help more).
Look under cars (Also if possible inside, just in case, since it can hide in the engine for example. Do not hesitate to call the police if necessary if you hear a cat inside a vehicle), garages, ... in any corner where may have hidden.
Go out in search of him in the evening, which is when you will be most active. Take a flashlight, so you can see it better.
Leave your litter box outside the home, because you will be able to smell its smell.
If possible, have an open window so you can enter.
Don't lose hope fast. There are cats that take a long time to return, and others that never do. But precisely for this reason, I advise you to continue looking for it, at least for a month.

How to prevent the cat from getting lost?

So that the cat does not get lost, what you have to do is take care of him as he deserves, neuter him before the first heat, put the microchip and, at least, a necklace with an identification plate with our phone number. However, as an alternative to this collar, I recommend a collar with GPS, since this way you will instantly know where your cat is, so that you can go out and look for it, avoiding greater stress and fear.