Some people still believe that cats know how to find their way home, however, this belief is not only false, it is also dangerous. There is no evidence or scientific study to show that felines have the innate ability to return home, and unfortunately, that leads to many domestic cats getting lost every day.
In addition, a cat that escapes is exposed to numerous risks on the street, such as fights, accidents, diseases, parasites, etc.. For this reason, it is essential to take the appropriate preventive measures, in order to prevent the feline from escaping.
In this article on our site, we will not only answer the question; " If a cat runs away does it come home?", but we also show you how to prevent your feline from running away and what do to find him if he is already lost and won't come back to your home. Take note of the following tips, they are essential!
Why do cats run away?
First of all, we must consider that felines are very intelligent and sensitive animals, with truly privileged instincts. Each new stimulus they perceive captures their attention and arouses their curiosity So, even if they enjoy the comfort of home, the street also offers them entertainment, as potential prey, females in heat, new smells and sounds, etc. For this reason, some felines try to escape, to exercise their hunting skills, meet a female in heat or simply to discover the stimuli they perceive from inside their home, for example.
In general, cats and cats that have not been neutered have a greater tendency and predisposition to escape, to satisfy their natural sexual desire and carry out reproduction. For this reason, neutering your cat is recommended not only as a reproductive control method, but also to prevent numerous diseases, fights and accidents to which your kitten is prone. exposed by escaping into the streets. In fact, a study indicates that castration can reduce or eliminate the behavior of roaming or escapism related to sexual behaviors in 90% of cases. [1]
In addition, it is also important to consider the character of each cat. Some felines are naturally more good-natured, shy or quiet, adapting more easily to the home routine. But others are more energetic, curious or adventurous, and may show a greater predisposition towards escapism.
Does a lost cat come home?
Unfortunately, we cannot give you an exact answer to this question, because no one can predict that a cat will return homewhenever he runs away. Although felines have great intelligence and highly developed senses that allow them to identify their surroundings and orient themselves on different occasions, there is no real guarantee that they will always be able to find their way back home by getting lost in the streets Therefore, it is crucial to prevent our kittens from escaping, so that they do not get lost and do not put their he alth at risk.
Do cats know how to come home?
On the other hand, it is also true that some felines are used to take small walks outside their home, staying in the surroundings from your neighborhood. However, even in these cases, it is important to take preventive measures to guarantee their well-being, such as sterilizing them, offering adequate preventive medicine, inserting an identification microchip and always rewarding them for having returned home.
How long does it take for a cat to come home?
Faced with disorientation, the behavior of a lost cat can be variable. Some try to follow the trail they have left by marking with urine or pheromones, while others may travel miles in order to find their home again. If your cat has disappeared or does not return home after a few hours, you must be patient, but when a feline has more than 18 or 24 hours without returning home it is time to act, because it could have been lost.
What to do if my cat has escaped?
This is a situation none of us would like to imagine, much less experience. However, it is important to be prepared to know how to react if your feline escapes. If your cat is used to going outside, there is a greater chance that it will come back on its own.
There are some tips for finding a lost cat that you can follow, such as starting to make brochures or posters (along with your contact information and the characteristics of your cat) to alert neighbors in the area who may have seen him. You can distribute them in veterinary clinics, supermarkets, stores in your neighborhood and surroundings. And if it's allowed in your neighborhood or city, it can also help to stick some notices on your street lamps and on nearby streets. On the other hand, many classifieds and local newspapers allow you to put this type of ad on their pages.
Also, taking advantage of the fact that we live in the "digital age", it is also important to share the brochure with your contacts on the social networks and/or in your groups Nearest instant messenger numbers. And if you have the opportunity to offer a small monetary or symbolic reward, it can make more people interested in helping you look for your cat. Finally, don't forget to call protectors and animal shelters Afterwards, it will be time to go out and look for your cat. Start walking the streets near your home, parks and squares in your neighborhood.
How to prevent my cat from running away?
Although it is not always possible to control a cat's impulses and needs, we can reduce the chances of it running away from home by following some tips to prevent a cat from running away. Follow the guidelines outlined below to prevent it from getting lost again:
- Provide a positive environment: As with any person, cats also want to return to places where they feel happy, comfortable and darlings. Therefore, if we want our cat to stay at home, the first thing we must do is provide him with a positive, safe and calm environment. Each cat must have its own resting environment, always well separated from its litter box, and an area reserved for its feeding, where food and water are available to it. In addition, environmental enrichment will be crucial for our kitty to exercise and entertain himself in his own home (remember that a bored cat may try to escape simply to have fun and exercise his instincts).
- Giving lots of love and proper care: A cat's home will never be complete without the love and care of its guardian. Remember to reserve a special time to play with your cat and share beautiful moments with him. But caring also means offering complete and balanced nutrition, a positive and enriched environment, good education, correct socialization and adequate preventive medicine.
- Provide adequate preventive medicine:Every cat needs to receive adequate preventive medicine to preserve good he alth and stable behavior. For this reason, remember to visit the vet every 6 months, respect your vaccination schedule and deworm it periodically. In addition, if your cat escapes on occasion, by having good preventive medicine, he will have less chance of acquiring numerous diseases.
- Sterilization/neutering: First of all, we must remind you that castration and sterilization are two different procedures. Although both are effective as reproductive control to avoid unwanted litters and combat street overpopulation, castration is the only effective measure to eliminate or reduce behaviors related to sexual desire or escapism. Likewise, before deciding to neuter or sterilize your cat, it is essential to consult your trusted veterinarian. The professional will be able to tell you what is the most appropriate procedure for your pet and what is the best time to neuter a cat.
- Teach him to come back with treats: if your cat is used to walking outside the home, in addition to taking the above preventive measures, it will also be important to teach him to return using positive reinforcement. Whenever your kitty comes home quickly, you can offer him a tasty treat, a home cooked meal, a new toy, or just have a good time playing with him. Also, remember to congratulate him for his attitude, giving him positive words of encouragement and giving him some good caresses.
