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Lost your cat? We understand how worrying it can be when your cat goes missing. Take a look at our guide on what to do next.

Contents

How to find a lost cat

Follow our step-by-step guide to help you find your missing cat. 

  1. Check your home and garden. Cats love small, cosy spaces, so they might just be hiding somewhere in your home. Check cupboards, garden sheds, behind curtains, under duvets and even in household appliances like tumble dryers and washing machines. If you’re having building work completed, check under floorboards or in any holes big enough for a cat to nestle into.
  2. Call for them. Go outside and call your cat’s name early in the morning or at night, when it is likely to be quieter and your cat is more likely to be active. Keep calling your cat, leaving enough time for them to hear you between each call. 
  3. Entice them home. Shake a box of your cat’s favourite treats or leave out a bowl of their favourite food. Cats have a strong sense of smell, so the smellier the food, the better. You could also try leaving out other items that smell familiar to them, for example, their favourite toy, unwashed bedding, used litter from their litter tray, an unwashed item of your clothing or the contents of your vacuum cleaner. 
  4. Speak to neighbours and delivery people. Ask around to see if anyone has spotted your cat. Ask them to check their own homes, sheds, outbuildings and vehicles. Your cat could be hiding inside or underneath a parked car or van. Remember to speak to neighbours on both sides of the road, as well as those with gardens that back onto yours. You could provide them with a photo of your cat, reminding them to keep an eye out.
  5. Register them as missing. If your cat is microchipped, contact the company that their microchip is registered with to let them know your cat has gone missing. Make sure that your contact details registered to the microchip are up to date. You can also talk to Petlog on 01296 737 600 and Identibase on 0330 912 8077 to register your cat as missing. 
  6. Contact Cats Protection. Speak to your local Cats Protection to see if your cat has already been handed in to us or ask us to keep an eye out for your cat. We scan every cat that comes to us for a microchip, so we will be able to quickly reunite them with you if they are chipped and your contact details are up to date. 
  7. Contact vet practices and animal shelters. Get in touch with any vet practices and other animal shelters in your area to see if your cat has been handed in to them. 
  8. Post online. Post about your cat in any local community or lost pet groups on social media, and on any local lost and found websites. Include a clear photo of your cat, their name, the area they went missing from, and details of how people can get in touch with you if they find them. You can also regularly check these websites and groups for reports of found cats that might be yours. 
  9. Create a poster. Make a missing cat poster to put up in the local area or give to your neighbours. 

How to make a missing cat poster

A missing cat poster can be a great way to get the word out to your local community about your furry friend. Remember, not everyone has the internet, so you might reach more people with a few posters in your area.

Your poster should include:

  • a recent photo of your cat so your neighbours will recognise them
  • information about where they like to hide, for example, sheds, greenhouses, garages, in boxes
  • whether to approach them. If you have a skittish cat, just ask neighbours to let you know if they spot them
  • any features they might have that are recognisable, such as colouring or unique patches
  • your contact information, so if anyone sees your cat, they can get in touch

If you don’t have a printer at home, visit your local library, as they might have printing facilities you can use, or ask a friend who may have one.

Microchipping 

Microchipping your cat is the most effective way to ensure that they can be identified if they go missing. If your lost cat is found and taken to a vet or animal welfare organisation, they should be able to scan them and contact you quickly.

Keeping your details registered on the microchip up to date is important. If you have moved house or changed phone number, you’ll need to let your microchipping company know so that your details can be amended.

Find out more about microchipping

Why do cats go missing?

There are several reasons why cats can go missing, including:

  1. They’ve wandered further than normal. Cats are usually good at finding their way around their territory and getting back home again. But sometimes they may venture further, perhaps because they’re exploring something interesting or chasing some prey. They may also run beyond their territory if they’re scared or being chased. If they go too far, they may get lost and struggle to find their way home.
  2. They’re trapped. Cats love to find new places to explore, hide and sleep. If they venture into a home, shed, garage, outbuilding or vehicle, they may accidentally get shut inside. This is particularly common in the colder months, when they might be seeking shelter and warmth.
  3. They’re stressed. Any changes or disruptions at home can cause cats to become stressed. Typical causes can include new people or animals, building work and loud noises. When cats are stressed, they may run away to find somewhere calmer and safer. Find out more about cat stress.
  4. They’re sick or injured. If they’re unwell or in pain, cats may not be able to get back home on their own. 
  5. They’re looking for a mate. Unneutered cats can wander far from home in search of another cat to mate with. If they have to travel far, they could be gone for several days at a time. Getting your cat neutered means they’re more likely to stay closer to home. Find out more about neutering. 
  6. They’re unfamiliar with the area. If an indoor cat escapes their home, they’re more likely to become disoriented and lost because they’re unfamiliar with their surroundings. Similarly, if a cat has just moved to a new home and is let outside too early, they may struggle to find their way home. Find advice on letting your cat outside for the first time.
  7. They’ve been taken in. Many cats love food and fuss, so if they’re offered this elsewhere, they may be keen to stay. This can be more likely if they feel they’re not getting enough food and attention at home. But even cats who are well fed and cared for sometimes venture into other homes. Some well-meaning people may take them in, thinking they don’t have an owner. 
Tabby cat looking up

How far away can a cat find their way home?

Cats can establish large territories that go way beyond their own home and garden. Some particularly adventurous cats can travel around 50 to 80 miles (80 to 128km). But most cats will usually only venture a few miles from home. 

Once cats are familiar with their territory, they are usually very good at finding their way home on their own. They have a strong homing instinct and use their sense of smell, good hearing and visual memory to help them navigate. It’s also thought that cats may be able to sense the Earth’s magnetic field to help them find their way.

But the distance a cat can successfully return home from depends on several factors, including their familiarity with the area, the terrain, and their health and age. 

How long can cats go missing for?

If your cat goes outdoors, it’s normal for them to wander. Usually, they will return in time for their next meal. But it’s also common for some cats to disappear for days at a time and return with no trouble, looking perfectly healthy. They may be catching their own food or finding food elsewhere, and they may have found alternative places to sleep. If this is normal for your cat, there’s no need to worry. 

But sometimes, cats can go missing for weeks, months or even years. How long they go missing for will depend on how far they’ve travelled and if anyone finds them. If your cat has been gone for longer than normal, follow our step-by-step guide to try to find them.

Will my cat come back home? 

If your cat has gone missing, we know that it can be a very worrying time. Keep searching for them using our step-by-step guide. Cats Protection often reunites cats with their owners weeks, months or years after they went missing.  

Only you can decide when it’s time to stop looking for your lost cat. Even if you stop actively searching for your cat, there’s still hope that they may be found and reunited with you.  

It’s normal to feel grief for your missing cat, no matter how long you’ve been apart. If you would like to talk to someone who can provide a sympathetic ear, you can contact our Paws to Listen grief support service. 

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