Does your cat often go missing in your house, and you don’t know how to locate them? You know they’re inside, but they’re nowhere to be seen. Please don’t panic; you can find them! The trick for how to find a lost indoor cat is to think like one. Below, I’ll share some proven tips and strategies to help you do that, plus tips to keep your pet safe. Whether they’re under the sofa, behind the curtains, or in some other secret spot, here’s what you need to know to find your cat in hiding, and keep them safe.
Why Cats Hide When They’re Scared
The first step on how to find a lost indoor cat is to understand why they hid in the first place. Felines are naturally curious and adventurous animals with a strong sense of self-preservation. Feeling threatened, scared, or stressed, they instinctively seek places to retreat and feel safe.
Here are a few reasons cats hide:
- Moving to another home or environment
- Bringing a new pet or family member into the home
- Loud noises (such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or road construction)
- Changes in routine or schedule
- Illness or injury
How to Find a Lost Indoor Cat?
Cats tend to gravitate towards dark, quiet, and cozy spaces where they can blend in and go unnoticed. When locating a cat lost somewhere in your house, the key is to think like one! Look for any potential triggers that may have caused them to hide and consider where they may have gone.
Typical Hiding Spots
- Under the sofa, bed, or other furniture
- Behind the curtains, blinds, or drapes
- In closets, cabinets, or drawers
- In boxes, bags, or baskets
- Under rugs, blankets, or pillows
- In the basement, attic, or garage
- In vents, ducts, or crawl spaces
4 Places Your Cat Might Hide
The next step for how to find a lost indoor cat is to start searching. Here are 4 places to start looking:
1. Look Under Furniture
Examine the undersides of sofas, beds, tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture with a flashlight or the camera on your phone. Some cats like to conceal themselves under furniture near their food, water, litter box, or favorite toys.
Avoid moving furniture too abruptly or making too much noise—you don’t want to frighten them! Instead, approach gently and quietly with a soothing voice and reward.
2. Check Behind Curtains and Drapes
Cats frequently hide behind curtains or drapes because they provide security and privacy. They might also appreciate the view from the window or the sun’s warmth.
So, pull back the curtains or drapes and take a peek behind them. Shake the curtain gently to see whether they respond. If you find your cat there, instead of grabbing or forcing them out, gently lure them out with praise or a toy.
3. Use a Flashlight to Check Dark Spaces
Because cats are inherently curious, they often investigate dark locations that appear intriguing or comforting. They may also seek refuge in shady areas around the house if they are anxious or stressed.
So, inspecting closets, cabinets, drawers, boxes, bags, baskets, and other dark spaces with a small flashlight is an excellent way to find them. You want to play detective and look for signs of their fur, eyes, and movements, always thinking like a feline.
If losing your cat indoors happens frequently, consider making them feel more at ease by leaving familiar items with your scent in these rooms, including blankets, cushions, or some of your clothing. Cats love blankets, especially if they smell like you!
4. Listen for Meows or Signals
Very often, a kitty will give away their hiding spot by making a sound or moving around.
- Some may meow or signal when they want attention or help from their owners.
- Others may stay silent to avoid being found or disturbed.
So listen carefully for meows, purrs, hisses, scratches, thumps, or rustles.
Try calling out their name softly and seeing if they answer. If you hear them making a sound, follow it quietly until you locate them.
How Do You Lure a Cat Out of Hiding?
Unlike dogs, who usually get excited to see their owners and come running out at the sound of their name, cats are more independent and cautious. They may prefer to stay hidden in their cozy spot, so you have some work to do to lure them out.
Here are three clever tricks to do that:
1. Use Treats and Toys to Entice
If they are curious enough, persuading your cat to come out of hiding shouldn’t be too difficult. First, try using treats and toys to tempt them!
For instance, you could use a treat dispenser, a feather wand, a laser pointer, or a ball with a bell inside.
The best way to ensure success is to make the objects appear unpredictably and excitingly, for instance:
- Move them around
- Hide them under a paper bag
- Toss them in the air
These actions will stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts and curiosity!
2. Set Up a Feeding Station
Food is a fantastic lure! Cats are more likely to come out when hungry, so try setting up a feeding station near their hiding spot. While kibble can catch their interest, wet food may appeal more.
Experiment with flavors like:
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- Tuna
- Cheese
- Cooked chicken
The more intense the aroma, the faster they will respond! You could also put a bowl of water there to keep them hydrated.
3. Use Familiar Scents and Sounds
Most animals rely on their strong smell and hearing to recognize familiar and soothing items. The following tips will encourage the kitty to come out and explore their surroundings.
- Place some of their favorite and familiar things near their hiding place, like their bed, litter box, favorite blanket, or a playful toy.
- Sprinkle a little catnip on their bed, blanket, or toy; its calming effect makes cats more playful and friendly.
- Place a Feliway diffuser a little beyond the exit spot; this synthetic pheromone mimics the scent of a mother cat and helps reduce stress and anxiety in felines.
- Play sounds they find comforting, such as music or another cat’s meow. These may help lure them back into the real world.
What is your go-to method for locating your cat in your house?
- Calling their name?
- Searching room by room?
- Luring them with treats/toys?
- Using familiar scents and sounds?
Let us know in the comments below!
How to Keep Your Cat Safe and Happy Indoors
Locating a cat somewhere in the house can be challenging, but once you find them, it’s a good idea to prevent them from getting lost or hiding again.
Three of the most important things you can do are:
- Ensure they can’t get outdoors
- Enrich their indoor environment
- Microchip them
Check Doors and Windows for Gaps or Holes
Start by making sure all doors and windows are closed and locked. Check for any holes or gaps your cat could squeeze through and seal them with caulk, foam, or mesh. You could install window screens or guards to prevent cats from jumping out.
Improve Their Indoor Space
You ideally want to make your home a cat-friendly place where your cat can enjoy their instincts without feeling bored or restless.
- Provide plenty of toys, scratching posts, climbing trees, designated hiding places, and cozy blankets.
- Make their environment more pleasant with catnip, plants (such as cat grass), bird feeders, or fish tanks.
- Spend quality time with your kitty daily, always giving them plenty of love and attention.
Microchip Your Cat for Identification
Even if your cat is indoor-only, it’s a good idea to microchip them if they get away from you. A microchip is a small device implanted under the skin that contains its identification number. If someone else finds your cat, they can scan the chip and contact you through a database.
But how much does it cost to microchip a cat in the USA? Costs vary by state, with prices for dogs and cats often ranging from the high $30s to mid-$50s. For example, Alaska tends to be on the higher end, while Arkansas is on the lower end. Some pet insurance plans cover microchips either through standard accident-and-illness policies or through optional wellness add-ons. Plus, some public animal shelters and adoption centers don’t charge for this service.
Final Thoughts on How to Find a Lost Indoor Cat
Losing a cat in a house might seem impossible. But any cat owner knows they can hide in the most unexpected places, even in a small space. So, if your cat is missing somewhere in your house, don’t panic!
The key is to stay calm and quiet as you think like a cat and look around the house. Use what you know about their habits and personalities (plus my compelling search techniques) to locate and lure them out of hiding.
Finally, consider teaching your cat to come when called; this can be a valuable skill for emergencies, vet visits, or just bonding with your pet.
Sources and Further Reading
- Steps to Take if You Have Lost Your Indoor Cat | Main Line Animal Rescue
When your cat strays from home, it can be a traumatic experience for both of you. Here are some tips that will help you find your cat.
