ESCAPING CAT: WHY, HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF RUNNING AWAY?

The cat is an animal known to be attached to its territory, but it can happen to some cats to run away for extended periods, worrying their owner enormously…

What are the reasons for a cat to run away, and what solutions can be put in place to prevent this behavior? Certain essential precautions are also not to be neglected to increase the chances of finding it in case of running away, starting with an up -to-date electronic identification.

Why is my cat running away?

There are several reasons for the cat to venture outside its territory, the most common being the presence of males or females in heat during hot periods.

Hunting instinct is also responsible for what we perceive as a “fugue” while the cat simply seeks to expand his territory to find more prey. In domestic cats, the fugue can also be explained by the simple fact of looking for food elsewhere, for example with neighbors a little too generous!

For a non-castrated male cat, the reasons for the runaway will be mainly looking for females to appear and rival cats with whom they will compete to defend and / or expand their territory. Another frequent explanation that can push a cat to run away is a change of territory (move or vacation) inevitably “imposed” by the owner and that the animal can not accept, often by attachment to its former territory. The rivalry with a cat already installed in the new territory may also explain this reluctance, because the newcomer then landed in “conquered land” and can not find his place there.

How to reduce the risk of running away from cats?

If you go on vacation or move with your cat, know that such a change can be extremely disturbing for him because of its territorial nature. It is therefore essential to make sure you keep your habits and benchmarks as much as possible, by using the same accessories as before (basket, bowls, toys…) and by giving him the necessary time to discover his new interior environment before him. give access to the outside. So, in the first two to three weeks after the change, it is advisable not to let it out even if you think your garden or balcony is secure enough.

Do not confront it “forcibly” with a new outdoor space without showing a desire to access it. If necessary, use a soothing pheromone diffuser to reassure and accompany the change. If your cat has not been confronted with any change of territory and runs away repeatedly, the first reflex is sterilization, for males as well as for females, because by suppressing the desire of reproduction you eliminate an important factor of fugue.

Make sure you secure all outside accesses, and if your cat is afraid, avoid any agitation and excessive noise that may cause him to run away. You can also offer more attractive food and more time (games, grooming) because a bored cat tends to look for distractions outside.

What precautions should be taken in case of running away?

Whether your cat is a runaway or not, it is crucial to have it identified by microchip before starting to let it out. Remember that sterilization is also often the key against running away, moreover it will prevent your kitten comes back pregnant at home or that your entire cat does not engrosser all females neighborhood!

Also, in terms of identification, you can never be careful enough and have your dog tagged with a necklace and a medal indicating his name and your phone number is strongly advised. This will prove to your neighborhood that the cat has an owner even if they do not have the reflex to take him to a vet to read the flea. Finally, remember to report any change of coordinates (address, telephone) to the Identification File of the Domestic Carnivores (I-CAD) so that the information contained by the chip is up to date.

My cat ran away: how to react?

The first things you need to do in case of a runaway are to warn your neighbors with posters or door-to-door, as well as contact the nearest animal pound and animal shelter.

The gendarmerie and the veterinary practices are also important interlocutors if you lost your animal. Contact the I-CAD to declare their disappearance and make sure that all your details are up to date in the file.

Also, take special care to get closer to neighbors known to host and feed cats in your neighborhood, and leave a picture of your cat and a phone number so that we can contact you again. If you have recently moved, look for it in your old area and tell your old neighbors. Finally, leave an opening accessible at any time (door, window) so that the little fugitive can return home if he came back in your absence or during the night.