Where do most missing cats go?

A 2017 study on missing cats measured how far away from home 477 cats were found. The median distance was about 50 meters from home. For indoor cats, the median distance was 39 meters—128 feet—away. Cats with access to the outdoors—ones who might roam around the neighborhood freely—were often found farther away.

Are missing cats usually found?

Abstract. Missing pet cats are often not found by their owners, with many being euthanized at shelters. Of the 1210 study cats, only 61% were found within one year, with 34% recovered alive by the owner within 7 days. Few cats were found alive after 90 days.

Is it unusual for cats to go missing?

It isn’t uncommon for cats to go missing for 24 hours, especially if they like spending a lot of time outdoors. In some cases, cats can even stay away from home for up to 10 days at a time. We also know of cats that leave home while their humans are away on holiday, returning soon after the family arrives back.

How long until a lost cat is yours?

Usually, a missing cat will return within 24 hours. It can take longer if something has happened to prevent the cat from going home, such as injury, becoming trapped in a structure, being picked up by a concerned individual or a shelter, etc.

What are the odds of finding a missing cat?

For some insight on what happens to those 10 million lost pets, we can look to a small but scientifically valid study from 2012. The study reported that 93% of all lost dogs found their way home, but only 74% of the lost cats were ever found.

Where did my cat go?

Indoor or outdoor cats can be found outside under decks, on rooves, under parked cars, in tall trees, dense bushes or in drains. Most cats, when feeling overwhelmed or lost, will hide instead of run. They can spend long periods of time in one area moving from hiding spot to hiding spot.

Do cats know where they live?

As far as we can tell, cats have a homing instinct, which means that they can perceive direction using something beyond the five ordinary senses of taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing. More often than not, they found that cats used the exit that was closest to their home location.

How many miles can a cat find its way home?

A cat can travel between 10 and 20 miles in 2-days. We hope this post has given you a better idea of how far can cats travel when lost. If you’re worried about a missing cat, there’s help available on Pet Hub.

Where do most missing cats go? A 2017 study on missing cats measured how far away from home 477 cats were found. The median distance was about 50 meters from home. For indoor cats, the median distance was 39 meters—128 feet—away. Cats with access to the outdoors—ones who might roam around the neighborhood freely—were often…