help please. some questions on a missing cat

Hoping someone out there can put my mind at ease or answer my questions. My 2 yr old male indoor cat, neutered and chipped, ran away 4 days ago in middle of the night. I've been reading for days on all useful things to do to find him and I've carried most of them out regularly. I saw him the day after he left but he darted away when i approached. I've read that he is most likely hiding in silence. Im wondering will the silence break eventually or is it possible he'll just remain silent and die in the spot he's in ??? He is inquisitive and very clever and i don't believe he is trapped because i saw him 2 streets away the day after he left. Ive tried everything to bring him back but he remains silent. . . . Will he snap out of it and return my calls or get braver and start exploring ways to get home or is it possible his fear will just keep him to one spot until he wastes away. Pls help im absolutely distraught and can't eat or sleep. He is not friendly so i know someone hasn't brought him inside. Also the weather here has been wet and windy which is making my search more difficult. What do you guys think???

Hmm, I'm not sure how to help you. The only thing I can think of is to take the smelliest food he likes (tuna if he likes that) and try to entice him that way. Also, if you can leave your scent near where he got out and leave an opening for him to get back in, that might help if he's trying to find his way back. Has he ever been out before?

He's never been out before but usually sits up high on back wall so he can see a great distance from there. Im trying the food and scent each time i go searching. I live in a busy suburb of city centre sitting i can't leave access open plus if i leave food out imagine likely to attract other cats or rats. I just want him home.

You could try borrowing a trap from a rescue organization, and putting it where you've seen him, but there's no guarantee you'll trap him. You might trap some other animals/cats instead.

I'm assuming you've already done the usual and posted flyers and checked the local rescues and made sure your microchip info is current in case he does get picked up by someone else?

You may have to borrow a humane trap from a shelter or rescue organization. Have you seen this? Recovery Tips - Displaced Cat Behavior
that you manage to get him back inside soon!

I know what it's like to have your cat go missing. I honestly gave up all hope. I got lucky 13 days later.

Be sure to never stop calling for him. If he gets too hungry and too lonely and he can hear you, he will come to you.

Definitely bring some smelly tuna with you because cats can smell at great distances. If he's hungry and he can smell it, he will come to eat.

Keep checking websites that post photos of cats caught and brought in.

Don't give up hope!

Thanks. There are a lot of resident outdoor cats in the area so im likely to trap a different cat and anger my neighbours. Does anyone think that given a bit of time he'll feel bolder and make his way bk or will displaced cats always hide in silence until found?

I think there's always a chance he'll come back on his own. There are many stories here of cats who have done so, days, weeks, months, sometimes years later. So don't give up hope. It's only been 4 days which seems like a long time to you, but cats are very adaptable, and if there are lots of outdoor cats in the area, he's probably getting fed.

How vocal is your cat? Does he meow much? Will he answer if you call him? All I can say is just keep going out with food and keep calling his name.

Even cats who see their owners -esp indoor cat s according to one pet searcher) /detective. They can be under your step and still not come. YOU need to go to her - put up flyers "alert neighbours -go on the offensives so to speak. She is scared and traumitized so yelling for her to come does not necessarily work in these situations. Curious I know. I think the web site is cat in the bag (tootle that and it shd bring you to how to find missing kitties) . If it were ne -after 4 days, I would borrow or rent a safe trap -the type used by s /n groups or those who help Gerald. Your Kitty has not learner to live outside and may be hungry as well as cold, frightened and defensively. Find her favourite food -place it in a trap and while you may find a few Gerald neighbour cats but she will likely show up soon. The chances are VERY. High she has not gone too far!! Good luck!!

He's not very vocal at all. But yes i will continue calling for him with some open tuna cans. I just can't believe how upset this has made me and the thought of him suffering in any way just makes me feel ill :-(. He is a quirky little character and very clever. . .maybe he's enjoying himself and has every intention of coming home once he's used up all his curiosity. I really hope so. Please come home my sue-sue x

Pls excuse my typos. I could not see when typing tho typically typing is not my forte anyway. :-) Also sorry to have changed your cat 's gender. I do hope he comes home soon! Some ppl like the grid notion and walk in every area near your home. Given his personality as an indoor cat, it is very likely he is scared and will not even come to you so you need to find him and maybe enlist friends and relatives to help search. Bring his tuna while you do. Other people use tracking dogs -if you know a beagle or lab or any dog who smells your cat and is feline friendly, you might take the dog or let the dog 's human bring the dog to help. Just some thought. Keep calling -and contact the pound, and any animal rescue groups in case he has been picked up. And call or visit every neighbour. You just never know!

Thanks all for your comments. Here's an update - I've now seen sue for the past 2 nights in same area. He ate some food i left but won't come near me and bolts if i approach too close. Im now just going to that area every night with some food and sit and talk out loud then walk slowly bk to home calling him all the way and just hope this routine comforts him and eventually makes him follow. Please please please. Its now 7 days since he left. I really want him home safe and sound.

At least you know where he is! I don't really have any advise other then a live trap, I'm sending you vibes for him to come to you, and praying for his safe return.

I would really try a trap if you know his general area especially if he's eating the food. Many vibes for his safe return.

vball91 said:

I would really try a trap if you know his general area especially if he's eating the food. Many vibes for his safe return.

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I, too cannot stress this enough. Get a trap from the humane society and use tuna.

I hope you catch your baby soon.

Ok. Iv managed to catch sue by luring him into his carrier with food. However since iv brought him home. He's just sitting catatonic in the kitchen staring out the window plus his brother chased him when i brought him in. Is this normal?

emjem2211 said:

Ok. Iv managed to catch sue by luring him into his carrier with food. However since iv brought him home. He's just sitting catatonic in the kitchen staring out the window plus his brother chased him when i brought him in. Is this normal?

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Cats do act strange when they are stressed, but something bad may have happened to him while he was outside or he caught something and you should take him to a vet ASAP. I would keep him away from your other animals because he may be sick and he is also stressed. You should close him in a room with his favourite food, water and litter box. You could try to get some feliway spray or plug in, which may calm him down.

Thanks yes he's now in the kitchen with food water and litter but he's hiding under cabinets and won't come out. Iv plugged in a felliway diffuser and my other cat is scratching and hissing at the smell of him. Im worried sue is ill but i can't get to him without panicking him more. He's been thru lot this past 8 days but now im stuck. Should i try to dislodge him and get him to vets asap or let him settle in A bit first. He doesn't even seem to know he's home . Plus im worried Bout upsetting sweep my other cat. What should i do? Anyone experienced this before?

I have not experienced this situation but I would take him to the vet ASAP. It really sounds like he could be sick so best not to wait. When you bring him home from the vet put him in a room with less hiding spaces.

The hissing and scratching/fighting are typical reactions when one cat has been away. Sometimes even a vet visit will elicit the same reaction. The cat just doesn't smell the same.

Definitely take him to the vet to be checked out. Once you know he's healthy you'll need to start introductions as if the two cats had never been together before. There are some excellent suggestions in this article Introducing Cats to Cats