So your cat hasn't been home for a while now. You naturally start to worry that it's injured, locked up, or maybe even disappeared forever. TAG24's cat guide is here to help you launch the search.

Outdoor cats love their freedom. They roam the neighborhood, expand their territory, and follow their hunting instincts.

Especially during the mating season or when new smells and noises are detected, the furry friends are sometimes drawn a little further away than usual.

Nevertheless, our feline friends do not simply disappear for no reason.

Cats Cat lover who fed a stray is shocked when the kitty finds out where she lives!

These are the most common causes for a cat not returning to its home:

• Injuries or accidents
• Accidental confinement in garages, cellars, or sheds
• Being chased away by other animals
• Loss of direction
• Being taken in by other people
• Theft, especially with pedigree cats
• Expansion of territory
• Reproductive instinct or search for mates, especially with cats that have not been neutered
• Unwelcome changes at home, such as new people, new food, boredom, or stress

While there is more natural space for cats to explore in rural areas, the risk of being injured by wild animals and predators is greater than in the city. In turn, the risk of traffic is significantly higher in cities. All of this has an influence on a cat's behavior.

Many cats that can move freely outside are often on the move for several hours and sometimes even days. They may come back according to certain routines, such as fixed feeding times and rest periods.

However, if a cat has not shown any signs of life after about 24 hours, then you should take action and start searching.

Exceptions are younger and sick cats, as well as pure house cats that have managed to escape from the apartment. They often lack the orientation to find their way back home. In these cases, you should do something immediately.

Even if you are very worried, not seeing a cat does not mean that something has happened to it. Cats are real masters at hiding.

That's why you should first search the apartment, the house, and the yard thoroughly and look in their favorite places – under the sofa, behind curtains, in the laundry basket. Maybe the kitty has simply looked for a quiet spot to rest.

Don't forget places where it could have been locked up unnoticed: a cellar, a garage, a stairwell, or a car. It is important to take the necessary time to search everything carefully. Sometimes your four-legged friend is closer than you think.

If a cat continues to disappear, you should check the immediate surroundings, not only on the ground, but also up in the trees and dense bushes.

Perhaps the little adventurer is stuck somewhere in a tree or is hiding under leaves and bushes. Cats often instinctively look for a safe place to hide in stressful situations.

Tip: If the search is unsuccessful during the day, you can also search the area at night with a flashlight. With a bit of luck, the cat's eyes will be illuminated and reflect the light.

Find out more: Can cats see in the dark?

It makes sense to involve your neighborhood in the search and ask them to check cellars, garden sheds, and garages, and to listen out for cat noises.

At the same time, flyers with a recent photo of the cat and a detailed description can be helpful.

Make sure to include these details:

• Coat pattern and color
• Defining physical characteristics
• Breed
• Sex
• Typical behavior or character (fearful, trusting, aggressive)
• Name

And don't forget your own contact details, of course.

Suitable places for posting such notices include information boards in supermarkets – as long as you have permission!

Tip: Familiar sensory stimuli can help a cat find its way back home: its favorite blanket, a familiar litter, or food placed outside the front door.

There are often local groups on social networks and special online platforms where you can publish a missing cat report and make it known to a wider audience.

Try out Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – just search for the appropriate location.

Inform relevant institutions about your missing cat, in particular:

• Local animal shelters and animal welfare organizations
• Local veterinary practices
• Police, fire department, or animal control – don't use the emergency numbers, though!

With a bit of luck, the lost cat has already been found and handed in to one of these contact points.

Your beloved cat failing to come home is a real nightmare for every pet owner. To reduce the risk of it escaping in the first place and to be able to help more quickly in an emergency, there are a few important precautionary measures that everyone should know about.

1. GPS tracker

Collars with an addressed tag help to identify an escaped cat and return it to its home. With an additional GPS tracker, you can even locate your pet in real time. However, the collars must be designed to be safe and have a safety clasp that opens automatically in an emergency.

2. Chip and registration

Another option is to microchip your cat, but don't forget to register it in a pet registry.

3. Command training

You can teach a cat commands such as "sit." This enables them to learn their name and respond to a command such as "come here." Positive reinforcement through a rewarding treat or special attention is important during training.

4. Neutering

Neutering does not guarantee that cats will not run away, but neutered cats are considered to be more territorial and should roam less often. In addition, it helps to ensure that free-roaming cats do not instinctively reproduce.

5. Make the environment cat-appropriate

Special cat nets for the balcony or patio ensure that a house cat cannot get out so easily. However, they must be checked regularly. Property owners should think about fences that your cat can't jump over.

Last but not least, a strong bond between humans and cats helps to ensure that a kitty does not leave its familiar surroundings, at least for personal reasons. New cats especially need a few weeks to acclimate to a new family and bond.

In addition, patience, rituals, and closeness strengthen the bond and increase the likelihood of a return.

Many cat owners may not know how to deal with the anxiety resulting from their kitty being lost or the feelings of guilt that arise. Talking to friends or other people affected can provide some relief.

Some cats disappear for weeks or months and then reappear as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately, others don't ever come back. The only thing that helps here is to hold onto hope and not blame yourself.

Conclusion:

Even if it is difficult, calm and systematic searching brings the greatest success. Most cats come home within a few days. Often, they only need a small hint to find their way back.

With good preparation, patience, and attention, you can do a lot to ensure that the missing cat returns home safely or doesn't disappear in the first place.