What to do when your lost cat returns home

Last updated on July 10th, 2020 at 04:09 pm

What to do when your lost cat returns home

There is no worse feeling in the world than realizing that you have lost your cat. Your worst nightmare has come true. You scramble around the neighborhood looking for your pet everywhere, make flyers, and stick them up in the hope of finding your cat. And when all effort fails, you see your cat slowly trotting back to the house nonchalantly as if nothing has happened. Little does he know the trouble he’s put you through. Congratulations on finding your cat. So, what do you need to do when you get your cat back after several days?

1. Make sure it’s your cat

In the desperation to find your cat, you might have mistaken another cat for yours. Cats can be notoriously similar-looking, and it’s easy to confuse them. Look for identification marks and confirm that it is your cat indeed before you start thanking the stars and bearhugging them.

2. Check for injuries

Cats are territorial and often get into fights with other cats. Check for apparent injuries first and then run your hand over the cat’s body to check for any wounds, swelling, or bleeding signs. Also, check for fleas, ticks, and mites which the cat might have picked up roaming outside. Administer anti-flea treatment and give them a bath to clean their fur.

 

3. Indulge your Cat

It might be tempting to indulge your cat in a grand feast. But, it is best to feed your cat in small quantities. Give their favorite treats but in moderate amounts. Make sure you give water, as well as the cat may be dehydrated.

 4. Get them checked out by a vet

It is best to take a vet trip, especially if your cat has been away for several days. They might have picked up some

Get your lost cat checked by a vet

infection or have injuries that they are masking, and the vet would be in the best position to give a green signal to your cat. It will also ease up your mind that your cat is back to normal. The vet might take blood and stool samples and give you professional advice to get your cat the best health if your cat is in a bad state. If your cat is not spayed, you should additionally check if she is pregnant. 

 5. Get your flyers down

You might have forgotten all about the flyers and the SOS you have posted online in the excitement of getting your cat back. Make sure that you update online, any people or organizations that you have sought help from and take down any flyers that you put up in the neighborhood. The efforts of people and organizations must continue to go on for pets that are still missing. This little effort can help ensure that efforts and resources are not wasted looking for your cat when you have already have got your cat back.

6. Give the cat some space

It is easy to fall into overindulging your cat after losing it for a while. But, you must understand that the cat has been through trauma and need some time to recover. And continually being behind the cat will irritate the cat further. It is best to leave the cat in the quieter parts of the house for a couple of days till it’s back to its usual self.

It may take a few days for the cat to become its former self, especially since it might have undergone physical and mental trauma for the days it was missing. It is vital to ensure that the cat does not go missing again. Here are some of the steps you can take not to lose your cat again.

1. Spay or neuter your cat

Spaying or neutering your cat is a no-brainer as it has many benefits. The advantages include reduced aggression, decreased risk of diseases, avoidance of unwanted litters, and elimination of tendency to roam for a mate.

 2. Update ID tags

Make sure that the ID tag on your cat is updated with the latest information. You can easily find cat ID tags at all major retailers. The cat’s name, your name, address, and phone number must be present on the ID tag. So, in case someone finds a missing cat, they can quickly get it back to you.

 3. Prevent escape from your home

It would help if you secured your home so that the cat does not escape again. Do a thorough survey of your house and reinforce the areas that need to be secured. It is easy to do if your cat is an indoor cat only. If your outdoor cat always gets lost, it might be a good idea to convert it into an indoor cat. Install an electronic pet door that will give you complete control over the pets and the time that they can go outside.

You can also consider investing in a wireless fence for your cat, which will allow your cat to enjoy the outdoor environment in your yard without wandering away.

Yet another option would be to buy an outdoor cat enclosure so that the cat can enjoy your yard without escaping. It would be best to get a large enclosure for your cat to make him comfortable. Considering the Covid 19 pandemic’s impact and reports coming in of it effecting cats, tigers, lions, and dogs, you should try to keep your cat indoors as much as possible.

4. Microchip your cat

Microchipping your cat is one of the best steps that you can take if your cat tends to get lost. When the microchip is scanned, it will give the details of the owner. It is a simple procedure that can be done by your vet. The chip does not provide a real-time location of your cat. This is one of the common misconceptions that people have. If your cat gets lost, vets and recovery services can find out your information from the RFID using a handheld scanner and contact you. It is crucial to ensure that the information in the microchip is updated and current.

All this might be a little overwhelming to take in, especially since you just got your cat. The priority is to ensure the safety and health of your cat. Indulge your cat with high-value treats and give it some personal attention. Once things settle down, start working on fixing things so that you don’t lose your cat again.