If your cat ever goes missing, it can be very stressful and worrisome, and you will naturally wonder if cats can find their way home. I'd love to put your mind at ease and say that your cat will reappear, but like many things when it comes to cats, it seems to depend on the individual cat.
A study from 1922 called "Homing Powers of the Cat" looked into a mother cat who was able to reunite with her kittens from as far as 4 miles away. There is also a survey on lostpetresearch.com that includes a cat that found their way home from as far as 80 miles away!
It's not well known how cats find their way home if lost, but there are some theories on how cats can make such amazing returns. These center around a cats homing instincts. Some animals, like pigeons, are known for their ability to always find home, and cats might share some of these methods to help them find home.
One theory is that cats are sensitive to the earth's magnetic field and can use magnetorecption to help find their way in unfamiliar territory. PetMD mentions a study from 1954 where cats put in a maze would come out of the maze at the exit closest to their home location. However, when magnets were attached to the cats, they couldn't do it as well, which suggests that they are sensitive to magnetic fields.
Another tool a cat might use to find their way home is scent. Cats are super sniffers, whose sense of smell is around 14 times stronger than ours, so a lost cat might be able to navigate using scent. Outdoor cats might have marked their territory and be able to smell their way home using those markers, or they might hone in on the particular smells of home, like other animals in the home, their food, or even you!
So, can house cats find their way home?
There are many factors that influence if a cat find their way home, but there are things you can do that might help. If they are an indoor cat who bolted out the door, they might not recognize their surroundings and could get lost. They might have a harder time trying to find their way home because they don't know what their home looks like from the outside. But, indoor cats who suddenly find themselves outside can still pick up on some cues that will help them find their way home. As we mentioned, cats can use scent to find their way, so Catster.com recommends putting their litter box, or some tasty food, outside to help your cat smell it's way back to you. Particularly strong scented treats, like tuna can be helpful in enticing your cat to you (and maybe a few of the neighborhood cats too!) Cats can also recognize their names, so you could try calling them, or shaking their favorite treats to get their attention and help them find their way. Petsradar.com cautions that if you are trying to call your cat, try to use your normal voice to call. If you are yelling in a panicked voice, you might scare them and make them run further away!
A scared indoor cat might have hunkered down someplace safe and out of sight, like beneath a neighbor's porch. The smells and sounds of home might encourage it to head back home once it calms down.
Even cats who regularly spend time outdoors can get lost if they roam out of their normal territory. Felineliving.net says an outdoor cat can range from 161 to 656 feet away from home. If your outdoor cat has stayed out longer than usual, and maybe missed a meal, then they might need some help finding their way home too. Catster.com says using the same cues can still help a cat in this situation find their way, but you may need to bring the litter box further out to help your cat smell it.
If you have moved recently, even if it's been a fairly long distance, your cat might not remember the new home and may head toward the previous place, so it is also a good idea to ask the neighbors in your old neighborhood to keep an eye out in case your cat tries to return to that home.
It can also be helpful to put out posters with some good pictures of your feline friend and your contact information. If you have moved recently, try to include some in that old spot too in case your cat does appear in their old haunt.
Microchipping is also a great way to get reunited with a lost cat. Make sure your contact information is up to date and if a concerned neighbor brings your feline friend to a vet or shelter, they can scan the microchip to let you know that your cat is safe and sound with them and that you can pick them up. Here in the U.S. you can check out Petlink.net to find out more about microchips.
If you are worried and wondering can cats find their way back home, the answer is often yes! You can help your cat find their way using smell and sound by placing their litter box or favorite foods outside or by calmly calling them or shaking their favorite treat bag.
Cover photo by Artūrs Ķipsts on Unsplash
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