If you’re currently wondering, where is my cat?! and freaking out just tiny bit – we completely get it. And with all the reasons why cats run away, it’s essential to know to how find a lost cat fast.

If you have a missing cat, take a deep breath, and try to stay calm. Take a skim through our guide below, which is full of tips and helpful information that can help you bring your cat home safely – and prevent them from going missing again.

What are the chances of finding a lost cat?

“If my cat has gone missing, will they come back?” We’ve all wondered this – so we turned to science to help us find an answer. A 2018 study from Animals found that:

  • 61% of lost cats were found within one year
  • 34% of lost cats were found (alive, thank goodness) within 7 days
  • after 90 days, lost cats were less likely to be found alive 😿
  • A physical search increased the likelihood of finding a missing cat
  • 75% of cats were found within 500 meters of where they escaped

💡 Tip: The faster you can get outside and go search for your missing cat, the higher your chances of finding them.

Why is my cat missing?

Whether they are indoor or outdoor cats, our feline companions sometimes stray. There are many reasons why cats run away, but here are some common ones:

  • A female cat in heat or an unneutered male cat have a strong mating drive, which may cause them to roam in search of love
  • Cats are curious beings who love to hunt and explore their territory
  • Of course, it could just be that there’s a friendly neighbor feeding them
  • A sick or injured cat might be more likely to hide to nurse themselves back to health on their own

💡It’s one of the reasons why loving, responsible cat parents around the world – just like you – are preventing their cats from getting lost with GPS trackers, which we’ll cover a bit further below.

How long do cats go missing for?

Most cats don’t go missing for very long. Even if they stay out longer than usual from time to time, they’ll usually come home when they’re hungry. And reassuringly, cats do have a great sense of direction.

  • However in some cases, cats can go missing for days, weeks, months or even years. They may return, or might not ever make it home. The sooner you get started with your search, the more likely you are to find them again, safe and sound.
  • In general, how long your cat might go missing for might depend on why they’ve gone missing in the first place. But if your cat is gone for more than 12 hours or overnight, it’s time to take action.

Can a microchip help me find my lost cat?

No. A cat microchip only works as an ID tag for your cat. It doesn’t help you track your cat in real-time or follow their every step.

⚠️ A microchip can help a vet or local animal shelter identify your cat. (By scanning their microchip and finding your contact details.)

  • To find a lost cat with a microchip, you’ll need to wait until someone finds your cat and brings them in to a shelter or vet where they can scan your cat’s microchip ID.
  • If your contact details on the microchip ID are up to date, and if you’re lucky enough to get a call about your missing cat, you’ll be reunited.
  • You can use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup or the US Pet Chip Registry to learn more about microchip registry and missing pet identification.

So while a microchip is a security must-have, it does not actively help you search for a lost cat or guarantee that they will be returned to you.

How to find a cat hiding inside the house

It could well be that your lost cat is actually hiding inside the house. Cats hide indoors (and sometimes outdoors) for a number of reasons:

  • They want to feel safe and cozy: maybe they found a comfortable box in the bottom of your closet and decided to take a nap
  • They’re scared or anxious: for example, if a two-legged or four-legged “stranger” is over for a visit at your place
  • They’re sick or pregnant: cats often go into hiding when they are feeling unwell, or are about to give birth

So do thorough check indoors, and ask other members of the household to help.

How to find a lost cat outside – but close to home

According to pet detective and lost cat expert Kat Albrecht, missing cats tend to hide, in silence, typically staying close to home1. Lost dogs, on the other hand, tend to run and travel great distances quickly.

That means your lost feline friend is probably closer than you think. They might have gone into hiding, outside and close to home, for any of the reasons above. Or they might have gotten stuck, lost or frightened while chasing butterflies.

After searching in the house, do a thorough check of your property or your immediate surroundings. Check places they could be stuck or hiding, including:

  • under the deck or porch
  • on the roof
  • in the garage
  • up a tree
  • inside the car
  • in a chimney
  • around the trash and recycling bins

If your cat is primarily an indoor cat, you’re likely going to find them near home.

How to find a lost indoor cat

Having an indoor cat go missing can be especially heartbreaking, because we aren’t used to them wandering far from our feet! But the first step is understanding that cats are territorial creatures, and that they often don’t leave their territory on purpose.

Indoor cats usually have a much smaller territory than outdoor cats. This means:

  • They only feel comfortable exploring their “home territory”
  • So they probably won’t travel much further than a small distance from where they live.
  • In fact, a 2017 study found that missing indoor cats were found, on average, a distance of only 39 meters (128 feet) away from home.

So start by searching your immediate surroundings in order to find a lost indoor cat. Call their name, put out some cat food, and check any potential hiding spots like in the garage or up a tree.

⚠️ Outdoor cats, on the other hand, are known to travel farther. They were found an average distance of 300 meters – or three football fields – away.

How to find a lost cat by searching around your neighborhood

If your cat is missing and nowhere to be found inside or near your home, don’t just wait for them to return home on their own. In fact, a study by pet detective Kat Albrecht and professor Jacquie Rand found that 59% of lost cats were found alive precisely because their humans actively searched for them2.

  • Start at home and work outwards. Remember, 75% of cats were found within 500 meters of where they call home.
  • Call for your cat by name. Researchers found that cats can recognize their human’s voice as well as their own name, even when strangers call it3.
  • Ask friends and neighbors to help.
  • Consider your cat’s personality. Are they more likely to be hiding, or exploring the neighbor’s farm?
  • Check your cat’s old territory. If you moved recently, your cat may have tried to return to their old home.

How to find a lost cat with a Tractive GPS cat tracker

If your lost cat is wearing a Tractive GPS cat tracker, you’re in luck! This will make your search for your missing cat much easier. Just hit LIVE to follow every step in the Tractive GPS mobile or web app with real-time location updates

Besides LIVE tracking, you can also:

  • Track together with friends and family using Family Sharing
  • Bluetooth tracking. Use Radar Mode once you’re nearby to pinpoint their location – they might be hidden behind or under something
  • Light and Sound. Activate Light if it’s dark out, or Sound if it’s hard to see where they are
  • Share your cat’s current location with the public if your cat is further away, and you need help getting reunited – you can do this in the location section under the Tracker tab in your profile

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How to lure out a lost cat

If you haven’t been able to find your cat so far, the next thing you can try is luring out your lost cat with treats. Put a bowl of your cat’s favorite treats or food outside your doorstep. You could even put food in additional spots around your home if you have a large outdoor space. Your cat might catch the smell and run home for a tasty snack.

Just make sure someone is there to spot your cat in case they come home for a bite to eat and watch out for raccoons (and other wildlife) it may also attract! Else, try these tips to help lure a lost cat back home:

  • Leave the garage, or another door cracked open – cats like to sneak inside
  • Put your cat’s favorite bed, blanket or scratcher outside – the scent will attract them
  • Go outside, and talk in your normal voice, as if you’re chatting on the phone – cats are known to be attracted to their human’s voice
  • Keep an eye out around dusk and dawn. Cat parents have reported their cats returning most often between the hours of 8pm-2am and 4am-7am4

How to create lost cat posters

Still no luck finding your cat after your search? It might be time to put up missing cat posters. An effective lost cat sign should include:

  • A high-resolution photo of your cat
  • A physical description including age, sex, coat length and color, and any other special markers (like a unique fur pattern, or a colorful collar) that could be used to identify your cat
  • When and where your cat was last seen
  • Your contact details, including your name and phone number

When putting up the cat posters, remember: cats go farther than we sometimes think. Hang posters at public transport stops to make sure as many people see your poster as possible. Cover the posters in plastic or tape for durability.

Click on the image below to download the free lost cat poster template from Tractive

Lost cat poster free download from Tractive banner

In addition, you’ll want to post your cat’s picture and description on various social networks.

  • Ask your friends to keep an eye out. On most social media platforms, there are specific groups or lists for lost & found animals in specific regions.
  • Check the pages of animal shelters in your area; they’ll often post their latest finds online.
  • Share the news on Petco Love Lost. This is a nation-wide database for missing and lost pets. You can upload your missing cat’s photo and stay tuned for news of similar animals found at nearby shelters around you. (Which may include your lost cat.)

Contact your local vets & shelters

Perhaps your cat has already been found and brought into a vet or shelter. Call local vets and animal shelters to ask if anyone has brought in a cat matching your cat’s description. Leave them your number, so that they can call you in case your cat is eventually brought in.

Also check shelter websites – people often post missing cats they’ve found here.

You might find these regional resources useful in your search to being reunited with your lost cat:

More tips on how to find a lost cat

If your cat is missing, it’s understandable that you may be anxious, and searching the web for the best way to bring your cat home. To finish, we thought we’d share some extra quick tips on how to find a lost cat:

Look when it’s dark & quiet outside

  • Use a flashlight to search in the dark
  • Got a Tractive device? Trigger its Light function to locate your cat with an LED light. Or trigger Sound for a high-pitched melody to help you locate your cat audibly.
  • Don’t bring other animals with you when you’re on your search – they may scare your cat away
  • Search places where a lost cat could find warmth

Make it easy for your cat to return – calmly

  • Bring your cat’s favorite toy and treats
  • Continue calmly calling their name
  • Walk slowly and take frequent breaks from calling out, so that your cat has a chance to call back
  • Scan the surrounding area for movement or sounds.
  • Check places where your cat could get stuck indoors.
  • Leave a piece of clothing or towel that smells like you outside your door
  • Sprinkle flour around and check for paw prints, if you suspect your cat is hanging around but not coming home
  • Install motion sensor cameras or baby monitors around your house.

Seek help from others

  • Hire a lost cat finder or pet detective
  • Offer a reward to anyone who can find your cat
  • Ask anyone who visited your property (such as a delivery person) to check their van or truck
  • Share the news on social media and ask your friends and family to spread the word
  • Publish a missing cat notice in the local newspaper

Finally, our last tip for how to find a lost cat: Don’t give up! If your cat is scared, they may not come out of their hiding place easily. So have patience – and faith that your cat will return.

How to prevent a cat from running away

Hopefully, you’ve found your cat with the help of these tips. Now, what can you do to prevent your cat from running away and going missing again?

Here’s how to avoid another nightmare:

And finally…

Keep an eye on your cat in real-time with a GPS cat tracker. Aka, just let your Tractive device do the hard work for you.

An outdoor cat wearing a Tractive GPS tracker in a lawn

How to find a lost cat – and prevent them from going missing

Remember, should your cat go missing, the most important thing is to not give up. Finding a lost cat might feel challenging, but chances are, you will be reunited in no time.

The good news is that studies have shown that about 74% of lost cats are eventually united with their family again5. So try to stay calm and hopeful until your feline friends is in your arms again.

And to prevent another “lost cat” situation from happening again…

Know everywhere your cat goes

See where they are in real-time, no matter how far they go. Get alerts if they roam too far home. Find out where they’ve been and discover their favorite spots. Let others track with you.

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For more tips and info on how to find a lost cat and prevent them from going missing, check out the video below:

And if you’ve found this post helpful, then share it with a friend or loved one – and let’s help create a safer. kinder world for our furry friends together.