Catlovers: HELP! Babykitty is lost (we think) in the cold --

[elehhhhna]

Seems BK (he's a 3 y/o male snowshoe, not very bright) may have gotten out last night or this a.m. It's going to be 15 degrees tonight -- was 25 last night -- and we're near Houston...

He's an indoor cat accustomed to (very) warm weather and I don't know if he has the smarts, etc. to survive this weather. We've put food near the front & back doors, and looked around the 'hood...to no avail. My 13 y/o daughter is the ONLY person he'll be petted by, etc. -- she's home w/ a fever today, and has been calling him outside but no evidence of him anywhere. No vultures or hawks circling, either, which I read as a good sign.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO? Will he get hypothermic and die overnight? HELP!

[stray cat]

1. Are there any ravines or fences where he could jump an be unable to get back up?

My spoiled cat jumped an embankment into the woods and was lost in the woods for a month midwinter in NY - she survived but barely. Also, are there any garages or places she could have gotten locked into. Cats are pretty good at finding a place to cuddle so she is likely to be able to survive a while but she may also be scared and hiding nearby - look under patios and steps as well.

Best wishes for you and kitty.

[Lars39]

2. You could put out a cat box for him, in case he shows up while you're asleep.

One box inside the other, with warm stuff inside.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Years ago I had an indoor cat who slipped out the back door one January day

and disappeared. This was in Minneapolis and it was during a cold snap with two feet of snow on the ground and temperatures that didn't get above zero even during the day; usually it was -10 or colder at night. We tried to follow his paw prints in the snow but we lost the trail, and we searched for him for about a week. I was convinced he'd frozen to death somewhere. But one cold morning (-15 or so) he appeared on the back steps, demanding to be let in. He was hungry and had dead leaves in his fur but otherwise was none the worse for the wear. I think he must have hunkered down under a porch or in a garage, but somehow he managed to stay warm and survive. +15 degrees isn't all that cold if you have fur. I think your cat will be OK.

[Demoiselle]

4. Cats are very good at finding warm sheltered places.

Even indoor cats with little outdoor experience. Are you absolutely sure that he isn't hiding somewhere in the house?
I have been convinced many times that my indoor (formerly feral kitten) cats have totally disappeared, only to have them turn up eventually, perfectly fine in the house..
The shelter boxes are a good idea. But don't despair....he's gonna turn up.

[stuntcat]

11. yes, I think..

all very good words. Even the dim-witted kitties will find ways to stay warm, they're amazing that way.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Oh, I hope you find him! My ancient indoor kittehs have only escaped a couple of times, with

the longest being only for a few hours. He turned out to be under the trailer the whole time, crying because it was cold and he didn't like it. Hubby had to pull the skirting off to go in and get him. LOL

[hamsterjill]

6. See if you can borrow a humane trap

You might check with your local feline rescue groups and see if you can borrow a humane trap. Cats literally get so frightened sometimes that they won't come to familiar people. They hide, and only come out when no one is around to eat, etc.

We lost one from our home once and set the trap for two weeks before we finally got him.

One caution, however, in this weather, you should only set the trap for times when you can periodically check it.

[yawnmaster]

7. Make sure the cat is not somewhere indoors...

we had a cat, thought lost all day. Looked all over for him outdoors and in (he's an indoor only cat).
Found him sleeping way back in an entry way closet that is only occasionally used. He got in when it was opened and then someone closed it. Really check well indoors too.

[elehhhhna]

8. have checked everywhere

including the attic. He's noisy when he's hungry or stuck in a room w/ the door closed. If he's in this house I can't imagine where. poor, dumb booger. The fact that he hates (fears) EVERYONE but our daughter could make him hard to catch.

[stray cat]

9. I thought a cat I was sitting got out during a flood

I found her inside hours later on a couch in the flooded basement with only her eyes visible in the mass of stuffed animals she was surrounded by.

Hope you have similar luck with your kitty. They can do pretty well in the cold even if they are pampered indoor cats.

[stray cat]

10. I thought a cat I was sitting with got out during a flood

I found her inside hours later on a couch in the flooded basement with only her eyes visible in the mass of stuffed animals she was surrounded by.

Hope you have similar luck with your kitty. They can do pretty well in the cold even if they are pampered indoor cats.

[Pithlet]

12. Don't give up hope.

We were moving and I was absolutely devastated, convinced I'd lost my cat. We had checked every empty room of the apartment to no avail. I have no idea how she hid, but when we went back to do a final walk through with the landlord, there she was, in the living room, looking at us like "Where have you been?" And my Baxter is a hider. He gives us a fright frequently. But we always find him, just when we're convinced he's gotten lose. I know the temps make it scary but if he did get out you can still find him :hug:

[orion007]

13. This happened to me just thsi week

with my indoor 4yr.old cat whose never been outside.
After looking and calling for her and checking all her indoor hiding places, I went online and found info. on missing indoor cats.
It said that since these cats aren't familiar with the outdoors, they usually don't wander very far from home.
Most are found within a very close distance.
They are frightened so don't expect your cat to come to you when calling their name., and if you see them don't make any fast moves towards them to capture them, as being scared they will probably flee.

I also posted on craigslist within 2 hrs. in their lost and found.
Find a place outside your home for a cardboard box,resting on it's side or some type of shelter with a blanket in it.
The odds with indoor cats is they are found due to them not being travelers.
Oh, My cat was hiding in a "new place",in our home, and came prancing into the living room about 5 hrs. later,
I screeched and ran to her, all hugs and kisses and she thought I was bat shit crazy.
Good luck

[elehhhhna]

18. thank you for the tips, etc. No sign of him yet --

[elehhhhna]

19. thank you for the tips, etc. No sign of him yet --

[stray cat]

14. Keeping it kicked - please keep up posted if he shows up

[stray cat]

15. Keeping it kicked - please keep us posted if he shows up

[S n o w b a l l]

16. Keep us posted...

Do you have a blanket or bed with his smell on it that you can put outside in a box? Put a can of cat food in it. I would continue calling him throughout the night if it was me.

I've only had indoor kitties but they've both gotten out before and were freaked when they did, but they did come back (after I totally freaked out and posted reward signs everywhere.) Stay positive....I think he'll be ok and find his way back home.

[Texasgal]

17. Oh nooo!

My kitteh has gotten out when it was cold and I've found that if I take her bag of food and shake it around in the yard she comes!

Oh, gosh! I hope he comes home!!!

[Name removed]

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[davsand]

23. Don't laugh, I train my cats to come for treats for that very reason.

Something I have always done is to train my cats to come when called, and I use treats/food rattling as a part of that call. Cats may be lazy little hairballs sometimes, but they DO love food. I have found I can use it to train for behaviors, just as I can use most other positive reinforcement.

Your suggestion to go out and try rattling the food bag might just bring that kitty home at a run.

Here's hoping the kitty turns up soon! They are such a huge part of our lives!




Laura

[MiddleFingerMom]

22. Disappeared kitty

.
Moving day (moving night). Held off on bozing up Graycat and Blackcat until
the very last trip (moving about 5 miles away by car). Put Blackcat (the
tiny ancient cat) in the box and closed the flaps. Hunted down Graycat (the
knuckle-walkin' young'un) and slipped her in through the closed flaps.
.
Crying from the box the whole trip. Got to the new location and I opened the
box and found only Graycat staring up at me (I SWEAR my first thought was, "Did
you EAT her?"). Searched the car. PANICFEAR!!!! Raced back to the first apartment.
.
I had slipped the keys under the door, so I had to climb up to the roof on the
second floor where the living room window was slightly ajar. Looked in and saw
Blackcat sitting in the very center of the completely empty room, waiting for me
to come get her. I didn't see for sure, but she was probably tapping one foot,
maybe not as patient as I thought.
.
Good thoughts and vibes and energy for you and your kitty. They are much more
resilient and resourceful than we ever give them credit for... ESPECIALLY in our
panic modes.
.
Contact numbers below are for the UK, but the suggestions are universal.
.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://www.purina.co.uk/Home/All%2BAbout%2BCats/Health%2Band%2BWellbeing%2BCat/Emergencies%2BCat/If%2BYour%2BCat%2BGoes%2BMissing.htm&usg=__NrYVCxOqZIgpDFSu8pPk_dSk0vU=&h=326&w=303&sz=42&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=kpm2jiSPPKU9PM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlost%2Bcat%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26um%3D1
.

[mnhtnbb]

24. Go outside and call BK every couple of hours. Since he's not an outdoor

cat, he may not have a clue--or the scents-- to get back to his house.

Good luck!

[wickerwoman]

25. Maybe you've already tried this,

but tuna seems to work when nothing else does for us. The smell seems to be a bit stronger than regular food (my cats can smell it from the other end of the house). It might be a good test to see if he's still inside.

Also, my cats burrow in mattresses which was the source of a few freak out moments.. It might be worth checking the beds to see if he has gotten into the boxsprings.

Hope he comes out soon!

[Haole Girl]

27. lol

GTMA! See my post below. :-)

[Haole Girl]

26. In a word:

Tuna.

When one of our cats ran away, during a vacation, we almost never found him. After a couple of hours of trying everything we could think of, I took an opened can of tuna fish around the neighborhood calling his name. We finally heard him meowing deep inside a storm drain. The tuna coaxed him out! :-)

Good luck... hope he comes home soon. Or is at least somewhere warm.

This is Bear, today, at 16:



Sometimes I think he's planning his next escape!

[elehhhhna]

28. stormdrain! Excellent idea - going to look now.

[elehhhhna]

29. Not in the drains. Food at front & back door untouched.

Absolutely not in the house hiding.

[elehhhhna]

30. Not in the drains. Food at front & back door untouched.

Absolutely not in the house hiding.

[Sanity Claws]

31. Have you provided a warm place near your front door?

If you have a warm place, he could wait there if he comes at a time when you're not actively looking for him.

Good luck.

[elehhhhna]

33. yep

[grasswire]

32. ask all your neighbors to check their sheds, garages...

...outbuildings, whatever.

I know this may sound ridiculous and perhaps isn't even available in your area, but there are services that will send a hound dog to track a cat. Of course the snow is a problem as far as tracking goes.

I'm worrying about this kitty and hoping for the best.

[elehhhhna]

34. they're all on alert.

[merh]

35. and under the hoods of cars.

If the car was recently driven the motor is warm and they will curl up close to the motor's warmth.

Check under the hood before starting your car and ask you neighbors to do the same thing.

Good luck to you, saying prayers he comes home.

Tony, Tony look around, somethings lost and can't be found.

[elehhhhna]

36. UPDATE: He's been spotted ...

down the street walking the back fences, annoying the pair of mini dachsunds, and generally showing off. He was one month old & feral when we found him so perhaps he's living the fantasy and will tire of it shortly. We of course still can't find him but there's tuna at the front door near a box with his blankie so...fingers crossed.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. Good news! He'll find his way back when he gets hungry enough.

[GreenPartyVoter]

38. Hang in there! :^D

[haele]

39. Congratulations, he'll be back soon. Even if he's conned someone into feeding "lost kitty"

Change out the cans of tuna, though. And watch for raccoons and other critters the tuna might attract.

Haele

[elehhhhna]

40. OMG that wasn't him. He's in the dammned attic

see new thread

& thank you soooo much!!!

[TrogL]

41. What new thread?

It's not coming up on search.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

42. Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9206255