What do you do when your Ragdoll Cat goes missing? Where would you look? Times like these are very stressful so how do you make sure you do everything possible to get your cat back?
Well for a start you should always remain calm. Getting all flustered and panicky will only increase the likelihood of you missing something vital. The sooner you start looking, the better your chances of finding your cat.
In twenty years of owning Ragdoll Cats, I have had three of my cats go missing, and all of them have returned home within 36 hours unharmed. So if your Ragdoll cat is missing, please don’t give up hope! With a little bit of effort, you should be reunited with your furry friend in no time.
Here are some things you can do to help find your missing Ragdoll cat:
Search your home
First of all, do a thorough check of your home. I can’t count how many times my Ragdoll has gone ‘missing’ only to find him curled up somewhere obscure in the home, oblivious to all our panicking!
Stop for a moment and think about where you last saw your cat. Have you opened or closed any doors since then? Maybe your cat got trapped in a room when you closed the door. Ask your family when they last saw the cat and remember to also ask your neighbours if they have seen them too.
Attempt to narrow the search down by looking in trees and basements, under chairs, sofas, beds, cars and even in the more obscure places like a tumble dryer, washing machine, washing basket, and kitchen cupboard. Cats are remarkably crafty creatures and can get just about anywhere.
Search the neighborhood
If you can’t find your Ragdoll in your home, the next place to look is outside. Lost cats love to explore their surroundings. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t actually venture very far, so they’re likely to be found in the neighborhood. If it’s an indoor cat, start searching under porches, decking, bushes, inside sheds and garages. Indoor cats generally don’t wander far and hide in the first place they see, which may mean they have become trapped in your neighbors garage or shed.
Call your cat’s name inside and outside the house remembering to also do the front and back gardens. Be sure to pause for a few minutes each time and listen carefully as you may hear your cat calling out to you if they have become trapped or injured. It’s also a good idea to try shaking a can with some of their treats in or squeaking one of their favourite toys.
Let your community know that your cat is missing
As a pet parent, the worst nightmare is when your beloved pet goes missing. The best way to find your cat is to post in your local neighborhood Facebook group. You should provide a recent picture of your cat, his or her name, and a brief description of where they were last seen, as well as your contact information Flyers with this information can also be distributed in the area where your cat was last seen. You can also post on online lost and found pet websites, like Craigslist or Missing Pet Partnership.
Checking with local shelters and veterinarians is also a good idea. They may have had someone turn in your cat or they may have information on where your cat may be. If you have a microchip implanted in your cat, make sure to contact the microchip company to see if they have any information about your cat’s whereabouts.
The more people who know about your missing cat, the better the chance of finding it. Be sure to do this as soon as possible.
Enlist your neighbors help
If you still haven’t found your cat then enlist the help of your friends and family and neighbors to expand the search. The more people searching the better the odds of finding your cat. Be sure to let everyone helping know that if they do spot the cat then to keep quiet and not to make any sudden movements as it may cause the cat to run off again. It’s also a good idea to let the owner approach the cat, especially if it’s distressed.
Leave familiar scented things outside your home
Put their litter tray and a blanket from your home at your front door. This will help them find their way back home. Cats use their sense of smell to navigate, so the familiar smells will help them orient themselves and find their way back.
Call your cat in the early hours of the morning
If your cat is still missing once as the evening draws in, one of those things is to call your missing cat in the early hours of the morning. When most people think about their cats coming home, they imagine them walking through the door in the middle of the day. However, cats are more likely to come home during nighttime when everything is quiet. This is because cats are more likely to feel safe and comfortable coming home during times when there is less noise and activity. This was the case for us when our Ragdoll Huey was missing for over 24 hours. We went out at 1am and called him, 30 minutes later we heard him meowing and he appeared at the back door.
So if your cat is missing, go out and call their name in the early hours of the morning. You may just get lucky and have them come running back to you.
If your cat is missing, remain hopeful and keep looking. Cats have a habit of disappearing for short periods of time, so don’t give up hope that you’ll find them soon. Put up flyers in your neighborhood, check with animal shelters in the area, and ask your friends and neighbors if they’ve seen your cat. With some effort, you’re sure to find your furry friend again.
How to help avoid your Ragdoll cat going missing?
Ragdoll cats are one of the most popular breeds of cats in the world. They are known for being docile and loving, but they can also be very adventurous and curious. This can often lead them into danger and getting lost. There are a few things you can do to help avoid your Ragdoll from going missing: keep them indoors, make sure they have a collar with ID tags, and microchip them. If your cat does go missing, there are a few things you can do to help get them back safe and sound.
If you are planning on letting your Ragdoll go outside unsupervised here is a selection of top tips to help prevent your cat from going missing:
– Ideally, it’s best to start while the cat is still a kitten or as young as possible. If you have a male cat, seek advice from your vet about possible neutering. Getting your cat neutered will help to curb his natural instinct to roam which causes him to stray from home.
– When in a new environment it’s a good idea to keep your cat indoors for at least one month before letting them outside. This gives your cat time to adjust to its new surroundings, take in the scent of its new home and make the connection between food and home.
– Try to get your cat used to two meals per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. After about a week or two of this try letting them out about an hour or so before their evening feed; this will ensure two things. This will prevent them from wandering far and associating the feeling of hunger with home and food.
-To help your cat get used to her surroundings, try taking her around the garden in a harness. Many new and interesting things are available to cats outside, and they may get lost and unsure of the way home.
If your cat goes missing, a GPS collar can help you find them quickly and easily. GPS collars for cats are lightweight and comfortable. They use GPS satellites to track your cat’s location, and they send updates to a mobile app or website. This means you can pinpoint your cat’s location no matter where they are. They’re also equipped with a noise maker and LED light to help guide you back to your kitty in the dark. If your cat loves to roam, or if you just want to be extra cautious, a GPS collar is a perfect solution. GPS collars are not cheap, but they may be worth the investment if your cat is prone to getting lost.
Track your cat, find it when lost, or monitor its movement with the RF tracker from Girafus. This amazing product can be used in and outside of your home as well as locate your beloved pet no matter where it hides. The range is up to 500 meters/ 1600 feet and with a built-in battery life of 30 days you won't have to worry about replacing it ever again. You also don't need to purchase an app or pay monthly fees for other trackers like other models
In conclusion, when your Ragdoll Cat goes missing, it is important to do everything possible to find them. This includes looking in all of the usual places, as well as contacting your local animal shelters and posting flyers. If you still can’t find your cat, don’t give up – keep looking and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
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