Loading... Please wait...

test

Five Common Ways Feral Cats Get Lost

Posted by

Feral cats are pros at finding their way back home. With strong instincts, habits, and a perfect sense of direction, very few other animals can match their internal guidance system. But despite this fact, the truth is— feral cats may encounter some challenges out there and fail to find their way back home. A lost cat is both an upsetting and urgent situation that requires swift action to find your furry friend right away. Identifying ways your cat might become lost goes a long way towards solving this potential incident.

Read on to know the common ways feral cats can get lost and how best to prevent cases of lost cats.

1. Injury or Illness

Along with the numerous benefits associated with the outdoors, it also has its fair share of drawbacks. When outdoors, feral cats face risks that range from contact with superior animals that want to fight and predators to moving vehicles and more. Worse yet, they may be overwhelmed by an underlying illness or consume poisoned food or rodents that have also been poisoned. All of the above cases may result in injury, sickness, or death. When injured or sick, cats instinctually find a spot to nurse their wounds. So, if your cat goes missing, make sure to check their hiding spots thoroughly.

2. Fear Posed by Outdoor Threats

Usually, if cats face any threat, they will run or preferably find a safe place to hide. Some will take cover in trees, on poles, or underneath cars as they wait for the danger to subside. At times, some cats will run in fear and escape to unfamiliar territory. Unfortunately, they may not make their way back home.

3. Open Spaces

Cats are curious creatures. When exploring the great outdoors, some cats will slip into open spaces such as doors, windows, shelters, basements, or any other buildings where open spaces appear. And while some cats may find their way out on time, others become trapped in once owners unknowingly secure the free space. Once found, the cat may be freed to find their way back home or taken to animal shelters for adoption.

4. Accidental Transportation

One of the easiest ways for cats to get lost is simply through accidental transport. Some cats are fond of sneaking into open vehicles, containers, boxes, or garbage bins. Then, they are transported out of their territory to new towns or across the country. 

5. Intentional Displacement

No, you aren't making it up, it might be the case. Sometimes, neighbors, tenants or property owners who dislike cats, particularly feral cats, may purposefully be behind your cat's disappearance. Or, if they don't recognize your kitty, they might trap them and take them to an animal shelter or displace them. That said, your community needs to be aware of your feral cat and be shown how well you take care of your furry friend. This helps avoid cases of planned displacement.

Missing or lost cats happen in an instant, with no cat owner imagining it. However, knowing and understanding how cats get lost is crucial because it's the first step towards solving the issue. After that, you can devise ways to prevent the occurrence of this incidence in the future. In an earlier piece, we've highlighted and detailed different approaches every feral cat owner should take to safeguard their cat against cases of and the many potential dangers that lurk outdoors.



Recent Updates

Sign up to our newsletter