How to find an indoor cat who escaped outside?

[Cadop]

I just found out from my wife that our cat Ninja some how got outside without her knowing. She thinks she saw him a few times across the street in the neighbors garage, but they are unwilling to do anything about it. I wish I was there to help find him, he responds to me more then he does to her. Unfortunately, I'm deployed and won't be back for a few months.
:'''(
Please help!
​

 

[Crono]

I may not be the best person to respond, but is there any toy your cat likes?

It's hard to get escaped cats back... too damn independent for their own good.
Awesome name for the cat, btw. There is a feral cat outside my house that stalks me that I call by that name.

Good luck to your wife.

 

[lxskllr]

He'll probably come back home. My cats were always afraid of outside, and when one would accidentally get out, I'd find it hiding behind a bush or something near the door.

 

[Azraele]

Have her try coaxing/calling, but make sure she's sort of stooped down. I've found that frightened animals respond more readily to a person hunkered down over a person standing full height. She can also try holding the cats bowl full of food while she calls..or a favorite noisy (jingle ball, rattle etc ) toy. And she's going to have to be patient. If the kitty is afraid, it'll bolt if she gets over eager and rushes toward it.

 

[bctbct]

Using the internet to find your wifes pussy seems wrong to me...

 

[Cadop]

Have her try coaxing/calling, but make sure she's sort of stooped down. I've found that frightened animals respond more readily to a person hunkered down over a person standing full height. She can also try holding the cats bowl full of food while she calls..or a favorite noisy (jingle ball, rattle etc ) toy. And she's going to have to be patient. If the kitty is afraid, it'll bolt if she gets over eager and rushes toward it.

She found this out yesterday. She said she noticed the cat was missing since Wednesday, but just thought he was hiding in the house somewhere. She didn't realize he was outside until yesterday when she saw him and he ran away from her.

Poor little guy must be scared out of his mind.

 

[Gooberlx2]

If there's something he really favors in the house, like a blanket he always sleeps on, try putting that out for him.

Does he also respond to a certain sound that tells him he's going to be fed? My cats come running for the sound of a dessert bowl being tapped with a fork.

As always, post signs, with picture, all over the neighborhood too.

 

[sjwaste]

Lunch meat. Go to the supermarket and buy some sliced ham and turkey from the deli. Open it up outside and crinkle the paper a bit. I'm talking the sliced stuff that they wrap up for you, not the prepackaged. Cats seem to love the combination of that sound and smell. Always worked on ours, worth a shot. (It may be that our cats were conditioned to that sound meaning "turkey time")

 

[Azraele]

One other thing she should be prepared to hold it by the scruff (supporting its hind quarters) once she catches it. A frightened cat might still struggle and scruffing it will help prevent injury to both person and kitty. Scruff, support hind quarters, and hold it close and firmly (not too tightly). Talk in soothing low tones and hope nothing spooks it while en route to the house. This may or may not be necessary, but its best to know what to expect and be prepared.

 

[Cadop]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Will be forwarding this to my wife to give her more ideas.

 

[F1N3ST]

He's a Ninja?!

 

[moshquerade]

here kitty kitty

??

 

[Crono]

He's a Ninja?!

 

[Kalmah]

My cat kept doing this over the course of several months.. He was always found waiting at the door a day or 2 later. The last time though.. about 3 months ago, I never saw him again.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That's sad to hear. You could try putting posters up, and calling the animal shelters.

I lost my first cat that way. Well was my sister's but we were taking care of her on a somewhat permanent bassis as she had her first kid and had less time to spend with the cat. The cat used to always cry to go outside, my mom got tired of it and let her out, and never seen the cat since.

 

[Cadop]

Here is a picture of the day we got him.

http://picasaweb.google.com/BekkaTallon/Ninja02#5208167305373823138
(Don't know how to insert pictures)

 

[Crono]

Here is a picture of the day we got him.

http://picasaweb.google.com/BekkaTallon/Ninja02#5208167305373823138
(Don't know how to insert pictures)

Cool cat. Looks very Ninja-ish (or wisened master).

 

[thebestMAX]

Run the electric can opener on the front porch.

Really, food, familiar sounds or toys should lure him. Stay out of sight till he starts camping.

Ive had cats gone 3 months show back up. Dont give up.

 

[amdhunter]

It'll come back on it's own most likely. I used to have cats waaaaaaaay back in the day and they'd get lost for days at a time.

 

[Cadop]

In our neighborhood, we have a lot of stray cats and dogs that get out of their yards all the time. I'm just afraid since he is an indoor cat that he might get in a fight and lose very badly.

 

[jteef]

my cat responds instantly to the pounce brand kitty treats when shaken in the little container; hes an indoor/outdoor cat and if he doesn't come running right away, a shake near the storm sewer would do it. we did make an effort to build the pavlovian response over the years in case we needed him inside before leaving for the weekend or something else.

 

[BudAshes]

The neighbors may just be keeping it and feeding it.

 

[Ronstang]

I have a 110lb dog that will find him for you.

 

[surfsatwerk]

It will come back on its own or it won't.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Mine does this in phases. It's extremely frustrating - I usually leave the porch light on and the door cracked and dump some food into his bowl (when I feed him I make I point to do this loudly and shake the bowl a bit)

He usually stays out for a few hours, once overnight and I had to lock him out.

We're extremely careful but he occasionally sneaks through. Luckily it's been a year or so since it's happened