Your lost cat is home safe! What now?
Here’s some strategies to help settle them in.
01 House arrest
Help your cat re-bond to their “home zone” by keeping them inside with a litter tray for a week. For a repeat offender, the recommended sentence is up to three weeks. You probably won’t be too popular with your cat for this, but it’s for their own good!
02 Cupboard love
Feed regular small meals at set times. Build routine and trust (based on food…) in those “house arrest” weeks, continuing the routine afterwards.
03 Keep ‘em keen
Feed your cat, taking away the food away when they finish. If food is available all the time they can come and go as they please. Instead, build a routine around being home at regular times. That way, your cat will always be keen to be home for the next meal.
04 Playtime
Give your cat lots of attention and play. There are plenty of cat toys to buy, or just make your own. My cats all time favourites are ping pong balls down the hall and a $2 shop laser pointer ????
05 Scaredy Cats
Be your cats personal diplomatic protection squad. Help chase off unwanted cats or dogs intimidating them in their own backyard.
06 Batten the hatches
Consider a microchip controlled cat door. It’s extremely stressful for your cat when an intruder cat enters the “safe inner sanctum” of their home. Imagine how you’d feel if a bear came into your safe cave! A microchip door only lets in the microchip numbers you’ve chosen - banning unwelcome visitors.
07 Swipe left on love
Desex your male or female cat. Desexing helps settle him or her down, so your cat is less likely to wander in search of “love”. This also helps avoid injuries and expensive vet bills from fights over mates and territories.
08 Keep calm
An odourless pheromone product like Feliway can help make cats feel more calm, easing the settling in process. It comes in a plug in diffuser, you can get online and from vets.
09 Sibling rivalry
If there is an issue with another cat within your household, ensuring all the cats/kittens are desexed helps. Feliway can also help calm warring cats down.
10 Hidden tiger
Some cats will hide under the bed or their favourite safe place for a while until they settle down. Others will be quite nonchalant! Either way, give them time, love and lots of cuddles ♥
This site welcomes any other suggestions and recommendations that help settle cats after their big adventure. Email your ideas and we can always look to add them to our list.