Why do cats go missing - how to lure them back

Why do cats go missing?

Cats are adventurous and often independent creatures who will explore the world on their own terms, still, it does not take long for an owner to get worried if their cat doesn't return within a certain time. Despite their adventurous nature, cats are pretty schedule fixated. They prefer having routines and can get upset if their living patterns changes. That is why getting a little worried if your cat does not return for the night is justified.

However, their explorative and curious nature makes them prone to situations where they will have to break their own routines. So, when is it okay to start worrying about your feline's wellbeing if it doesn't return?

To better understand why cats' go amiss, we could separate them into two categories—male and female cats. There are distinctive differences in their behavioural patterns, which will logically explain why they are so explorative.

For a starter, it is more common for male cats to go missing, so let's start by explaining them.

Why do cats go missing | Male cats – Toms

Male cats will not reach adulthood on a social level before they are 2-3 years old, which is a little later than a female cat. However, before they become adults, Toms are not as likely to disappear because they need to feel safe, which they do when they are close to home.

If your male cat goes missing before it reaches two years old, then you should go out and look for it relatively shortly after. At this age, they are not the most confident and might have been scared off by something. Keep in mind that a cat this age will probably remain a few hundred meters from home. That will make it easier for you to find it, just make sure you seek it out with an appropriate approach. And remember, if it gets lost, the longer you wait, the further it might go.

Adolescent toms

Toms usually have overlapping territories, but they rarely fight to defend their home range. Instead, they accept that other cats exist. However, a young cat trying to establish a territory might still get difficulties if the other cats in the area are dominant beings.

If your adolescent tom feels like he isn't welcome and gets treated harshly as a newcomer, he might try to find a new home range. He will then venture 2-3km from home to look for a new and more friendly neighbourhood.

Read more: How to find a missing cat

Read more: Cat-tracker – Tap in on your cats' secrets

Adult Toms

When your cat reaches adultness, it will establish a home range reaching about 2-3km from home. That is a massive area for a tiny cat, but necessary to find a female. If you live in an area with few people and cats, then naturally, it will have to explore a greater surface in order to find a partner. On the other hand, if there are many cats around, it might choose a lesser home range.

Male cats might fight if they feel like they have to defend themselves against each other or an ovulating female cat nearby. However, most often, male cats only fight to compete about a female partner.

A well-established male cat should be able to find its home from its territory, and if it doesn't come home for the night, there usually isn't a need to worry. Leave a window or the balcony door open so it can enter the house while you are asleep. If it comes home to a closed door, it might wander off again.

However, if a couple of nights goes by then, you should consider looking for it. But don't dread the situation, as they have a fantastic ability to show up after a few days of adventuring.

Read more: How to find a missing cat.

Read more: How do cats navigate outside their territory?

Why do cats go missing | Reasons both male and female cats go missing

Felines are curious by nature and will explore anything they find remotely interesting. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to them getting stuck somewhere, like in an abandoned pool or building. If the cat has fallen into a pool and is unable to get up again, it might drown unless it gets help.

Both males and females will travel a good distance to hunt.

Death

Unfortunately, one of the main reasons cats' disappear is because something has happened to them, and they are unable to get back. This can happen they attempt to cross a trafficked road as the impact from a car tends to have a flattening effect on cats.

There are cat-trackers out there that will notify you if the tracker senses a sudden impact. If your cat is hurt, you could potentially save it if you can reach the tracker's location and bring the cat to the vet before it is too late.

Cats are prone to prey animals like foxes, badgers, and prey birds. These causes of death are not as common as cats are good at hiding and escaping, but it does happen.

Do castrated male cats stay closer to home?

Castrated toms tend to adapt to a behaviour more similar to female cats. They will not feel the need to venture 3km from home to find a female, as they have a lesser testosterone level and no testicles to reproduce with.

Castrated cats tend to become more territorial towards their reduced home range. They will more often pick fights with neighbouring cats, and if they lose, they might have to find a new territory.

Female cats

Female housecats don't have to work as hard as males to reproduce, as the males seek them out. Therefore, they stay closer to home and possess a much smaller territory.

Females can create bonds with their neighbouring female cats and younger male kittens. They rarely fight unless there is a territorial dispute. For example, they might fight with an adolescent male when they decide he is too old to keep hanging with the ladies.

Rarely gets lost

Females disappear less often than males as they have more stability and security with their smaller home range. It is an advantage to stay close to where they get fed if they have kittens. And if they are to have kittens, they need an already established territory.

The most common way for females to disappear is if they get hit by a car and die, or get hurt and become unable to walk as a result.

Read more: How cats navigate home from an unfamiliar location

Read more: How do cats get lost?

Read more: Pros and cons of castrating your cat