Behaviour
When an outdoor access cat suddenly disappears, it means that something has happened to interrupt the cat’s normal behaviour of returning home. If an indoor only cat escapes outdoors, they tend to hide in silence close to the escape point.
The recommended method of finding an outdoor access cat is very different to the method that should be used for an indoor only cat and understanding the cat’s behaviour will increase the chances of a successful recovery:
Outdoor Access Cats
Cats are territorial. If an outdoor access cat fails to return home, it means that something has happened to interrupt or stop the cat’s normal behaviour. The cat could be injured, trapped somewhere or even deceased within their territory. The disappearance could also be because the cat was transported out of the area, either intentionally by an irate neighbour or unintentionally by the cat climbing into an open vehicle. It is also a possibility that the cat was displaced into unfamiliar territory, this can happen by a dog chasing the cat out of their area which can cause them to run in panic and hide in silence.
The question we need to ask when an outdoor access cat goes missing is
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAT?
Indoor Only Cats
The territory for an indoor only cat is the house it lives in. If the cat escapes outside they become displaced, the territory is unfamiliar to them. The cat will usually look for the first place to hide that will offer them some form of concealment and protection. A cat will naturally use their instincts to protect them from predators which means they often hide in complete silence. The length of time that they will remain in hiding is down to the cat’s temperament
The question we need to ask when an indoor only cat goes missing is
WHERE IS THE CAT HIDING?
Feline Temperaments
A cat’s temperament will influence their actions and the distance they are likely to travel. The way a cat behaves within their normal territory will affect how they will behave if they become lost or displaced. A recovery strategy can be developed based on specific behaviour with the use of the following temperament guidelines:
Curious Cat – This is a gregarious cat that often runs into trouble, they are eager to greet strangers and are rarely afraid of anything. When they become displaced, they will initially hide but then they are very likely to travel.
Recovery strategy is to place posters within the immediate area. Approach neighbours in a door-to-door search, ask to search possible hiding places in nearby gardens and other areas close to the point in which the cat escaped. You must not assume the cat will come when you call.
Care-less Cat – These cats are typically aloof and don’t seem to care about people. They are most likely to stand back and watch if a stranger comes to the house. If they become displaced, they will initially hide but will eventually break cover and try to return, they can often meow and will possibly even travel.
Recovery strategy is to search nearby hiding places. Approach neighbours with a door-to-door search and ask to thoroughly check their gardens. If you do not get results, you could consider the use of a humane baited trap.
Cautious Cat – These cats can be a little shy but are generally stable, they do like people but will often hide from strangers who enter their home. Given a little time they will often peek around the corner with interest and eventually come out to investigate a new person. When displaced they will hide in fear. If these cats are not scared off from their hiding place, they will often return to their escape point or meow if the owner calls for them. This behaviour is typically seen when the cat has built up some confidence, this can be within the first two days but it might not be seen until seven to ten days later when they need food or water.
Recovery strategy Conduct a thorough search of immediate area. Focus on neighbouring property and consider the use of a humane baited trap.
Catatonic (xenophobic) Cat – Xenophobia is the fear or hate of strange or foreign things. These cats are afraid of anything that is unfamiliar to them. Xenophobic cats will hide from strangers in their home and will rarely come out until that stranger has left. They do not like to be petted and are very sensitive to changes in their environment. When they become displaced, they will bolt and hide in complete silence. These cats tend to remain in the same hiding place and become catatonic, completely immobilized by fear. They are often mistaken for “feral” if found by a stranger.
Recovery strategy – The use of a humane baited trap.
Problems during a Lost Cat Search
Owner Behaviour That Creates Problems - The owners of missing cats can sometimes create problems that will reduce the chances of finding their cat. It is common to develop tunnel vision and focus on unproductive theories. Owners can experience grief avoidance and are quick to give up any search efforts. People around them can discourage the search because they don’t understand the significance the cat has on the owner’s life. Comments such as “it’s just a cat” or “it’s probably been injured and gone off to die” can leave owners feeling both helpless and alone.
One of the biggest problems is that owners simply contact the local shelter when their cat goes missing or post the odd flyer. These techniques are important and should not be overlooked but the more productive techniques such as conducting an aggressive search on neighbouring property or setting humane baited traps should be the primary recovery techniques used. Permission from neighbours should be obtained to enable you to perform a thorough, physical search of their property. A neighbour will not search aggressively and crawl around in tight spaces looking for someone else’s cat and you can’t expect them to! You need to conduct the searches yourself to ensure they are performed thoroughly.
Rescuer Behaviours That Can Create Problems –
Occasionally a rescuer can misinterpret a cat with a fearful, xenophobic temperament and sadly assume the cat is feral. A cat with a xenophobic nature will hiss, spit, twirl and lunge when trapped which makes them appear wild. Behaviours like this should be seen as a reflection of a fearful temperament and not be associated with a lack of tameness. All rescued cats should be checked for microchips and research should be done to determine if the cat is actually a family pet.
How To Recover A Displaced Indoor-Only Cat
Did your indoor-only cat escape outside and is now lost in unfamiliar territory?
Please don’t panic because your cat is probably not lost at all, they are most likely hiding right under your nose! A cat that is transplanted into unfamiliar territory is known as a displaced cat. Most cases will involve an indoor-only cat escaping outside but cats can also become displaced if they get out of their carrier at the vets, run off while you are on holiday or perhaps they managed to escape from a vehicle when being transported.
There have also been cases of outdoor access cats becoming displaced when they were chased from their territory by another cat or a dog. This means your cat could literally just be up the road and has found a safe hiding place in a neighbour’s garden. Often, these cats will take a few days to adjust and will then find the confidence to make their way home but others could remain disoriented and are too afraid to move from their safe place.
This is why a thorough physical search of your neighbour’s property is absolutely critical and it needs to be done by you!
Why do displaced cats hide?
When a cat becomes displaced into an unfamiliar area they are usually hiding in fear. This is because cats are territorial and if we take the indoor-only cat as an example, the inside of the house will be their territory. When the cat escapes outside to an unfamiliar place, it will seek shelter and hide in fear. A scared or injured cat will seek concealment in areas such as thick bush, under a deck or even under a house or porch. They will hide in complete silence to stay safe from predators. This behaviour is a natural response and does not mean they do not love their owner, it is simply because this is their primary protection from predators! If you call your cat with no response, it does not mean they are not close, it means they are scared and are hiding. Most cats are found within 50 meters of their home!
Humane Traps
One method that is very successful in capturing an indoor-only cat is to use a humane cat trap. These traps use bait and have a mechanism that is triggered by the cat, the door will shut when pressure is put on a plate and the cat will be contained. Leaving a window or door open at night can also be successful especially if it’s the window they escaped from but is not always practical depending on your area.
Never leave cats unattended in a humane trap, always seek help and advice to avoid injury.
Cameras
The use of a digital wildlife camera is highly recommended. This is especially useful in areas where there are a lot of cats. You can place out a bowl of food, set up a camera and record any activity overnight. The next morning you can check the footage and if you spot your cat, you know exactly where to set up a humane trap. Remember that cats hide in silence so you must be prepared that it could take several days or even weeks to catch them. It could take time for them to get used to the trap before they enter it.