When indoor-only cats get out for the first time, they are usually scared and will panic (even if they seemed very eager to try and escape the house!).

Typically they will head for what appears to be the closest “safe” place to hide, under a porch, in shrubbery, inside a shed, garage or outbuilding, etc., and will hunker down. 

Cats will generally not run across open fields or expanses of roadway or land unless they have no safe hiding spot closer by. The good news is that your cat is more than likely very close to home, usually no more than 2 to 3 houses away.  The bad news is that as long as she is scared she is not likely to come out of hiding or let herself be easily found for hours, days or even weeks, because her fear of predators will override her desire to respond to your calls.  Don’t give up!

Keep your search close to home, carefully scouring your entire property and your close neighbors’ properties, particularly places that are relatively dark, dry and hard to access (like under a deck, for example). Ideally, search at night and use a flashlight to try and locate the reflection of her eyes, since she will want to blend into the shadows as much as possible and may be difficult to see.  

Important Note: You may get advice to put your cat’s litterbox, food or similar items outside to lure your cat back home. Unfortunately, doing this may actually attract other cats and wildlife to the area, making your cat feel even more threatened.  A better option is to put out articles of clothing, blankets, etc. that carry your scent and will smell familiar only to her. 

It may take several days or longer before your lost indoor cat feels hungry and thirsty enough to risk calling back to you or leaving her hiding spot.  Setting up a humane trap to catch her when she does can be an effective way of capturing her – please call us at (423) 305-6500 x3 for information on renting a trap.

Focus your attention close to home, where she first escaped, keep searching and don’t give up!