Losing a cat is stressful and frustrating.
You will want to find your lost cat and make sure it’s safe. This can become increasingly annoying when you know the cat hasn’t left the house!
This includes you shouting, “My cat disappeared in my house!” without knowing where the cat has gone.
A cat can disappear in your house because it’s found a quiet hiding spot. Cats prefer darker spaces to hide in (i.e. closets, behind the sofa, under the bed). These are the best places to begin your search before working through other similar spaces.
It’s also important to look at potential gaps from where the cat could have gone out from. This can include an open window.
Don’t rule out any possibility when it comes to finding a lost cat in your house. They are clever pets and will always find intriguing hiding spots you didn’t imagine were possible!
This article will explain how to find a cat that’s lost in your house and where to look first.
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Tips On How To Find Lost Cat In Your House
1. Start With The Dark Spots In Your House
If an indoor cat has been missing for two days, it’s essential to expedite your search.
This is a tip that’s best reserved for the initial stages of your search. If a cat has disappeared in the house, it will likely be on the lookout for specific hiding spots.
This includes searching for particular features such as limited light, quiet, and minimal disturbance from anyone else (i.e. pets, humans). They will purposely look for spots that have these features around the house.
This is why it’s important to start with the darker spots in your house.
A cat can hide in the closet, under the bed, behind the sofa, or any other hiding spot. Some even find a way to go behind cabinets, inside cabinets, and under blankets.
Look in these spots because those are places in the house that attract cats.
2. Inspect All Exit Points
A cat hiding in the house might not be inside.
This is often an assumption that is made and you will want to do your research while looking around. This means focusing on the exit points such as windows, doors, and/or any other way a cat can get out.
Don’t assume the cat is inside especially if a day has gone by.
Yes, a new cat might be hiding in the house, but it’s also possible the cat has left. You have to find out quickly to then begin expanding your search outdoors.
The best way to do this is to see whether or not one of the exit points has been touched by the cat. Most cats will leave these exit points open and that will be a sign the cat went out through that way.
3. Use Cat Treats
If a cat is hiding in the house and you can’t find it, the best approach is always to look for those darker spots around the house while leaving treats out.
The idea of leaving cat treats out is to entice the cat to come.
The scent of the cat treats will be overwhelming for a cat especially if has been hiding out. It will be hungry and the treats will appeal to it.
This is an important trick to use if you can’t find your cat anywhere.
4. Focus on the Cat’s Patterns
If your cat disappeared in your apartment or house, it’s essential to know what the cat is like. This might be tough with a new cat but is quite easy with an older cat.
For example, does your cat have specific spots it likes to go in? What are those spots like? Are there other spots that are like that one?
Does your cat eat at certain times of the day? Have there been changes to the cat’s habits in recent days?
All of these questions matter because they will help fine-tune your search. You don’t want a situation where the indoor cat has been missing for 24 hours or more.
Final Thoughts
My cat disappeared in my house!
If a cat has disappeared in your house, it’s essential to start with traditional hiding spots such as under the bed, under the blanket, behind the sofa, or inside a closet. These are hiding spots cats prefer around the house because they are dark, quiet, and out of the way.
If the cat is not in one of those spots, it’s time to expand your search outdoors. This includes setting treats inside and then testing the exit points.
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