Cat went into culvert and can't get him out

[Popnfrsh24]

Hey there,

So I got my little guy because he was a stray at my parents house. I have had him for about 6 months now, and I decided to bring him back to my parents house for a visit. Well, he got very skittish I think from the new surroundings and the car ride, and I had him out on our fenced in patio and he JUMPED THRU THE MESH and bolted!

He ran into the culver at the end of my parents driveway. I heard him meow a few times down there, and I put some tuna at the end of the culver. I couldn't see him though, and he hasn't responded since.

Do you have tips on what to do to get him out? There's no way I can go in there and get him...so hopefully he will just make his way on out?


When I first got him to get microchipped, he did this exact same thing...he jumped out and went to the culver. So this is familiar territory.

When that happened, we left the garage door cracked and left food and he came back.

Do you guys think he will come back? Do you think I should just wait at the culver and hover, or just give him some space with all of this? I heard maybe getting his used litterbox and bringing it back and have it in the garage might be a good idea too??

Ugh, I don't know, it's just crazy he just got so spooked that he jumped THRU THE PATIO FENCE!!!

I thought I was going to be able to make him into an indoor/outdoor cat and take him around with me to places, but this exercise seems like maybe its not the best idea

 

[Furballsmom]

we left the garage door cracked and left food and he came back.

Can you try the same thing? and this too...

I heard maybe getting his used litterbox and bringing it back and have it in the garage might be a good idea too??

 

[Popnfrsh24]

Yes...i left some tuna at the front of the culver to entice him out but I'm thinking to take that away once darkness hits. And bring it up to the garage for night time? Also get some of my used clothes so he can smell them?

 

[Furballsmom]

And bring it up to the garage for night time? Also get some of my used clothes so he can smell them?

Yes, exactly

 

[ArchyCat]

Try putting out the food you have been feeding him in the garage. It is what he is most recently familiar with.
And please don't make him an indoor/outdoor cat. There are too many animals, dogs, raccoons, and automobiles. Nothing good can happen to an outdoor cat. Except to be made an indoor only cat.

 

[Popnfrsh24]

Well I meant an outdoor cat in the sense i bring him along with me for adventures....not just letting him go on his own.

But yes i will get his food too

 

[Furballsmom]

You could, --at first in the house, try him in a harness but I'm thinking this might not work since he seems to be so skittish and nervous. However, first at home, and then in really safe places outside to ensure you are comfortable with how he is, this could be an option for you

Harness And Leash Training For Cats

 

[SpecterOhPossum]

Well I meant an outdoor cat in the sense i bring him along with me for adventures....not just letting him go on his own.

This is just as dangerous and lethal as allowing him to freeroam, harness walks are your safest route.

 

[Popnfrsh24]

So....i bought him a cat backpack and a harness and leash too. I actually had him on the harness and leash on the patio. But when he got skittish the leash got caught on thr chair and he was able to get out of everything then jump thru the patio fence.

My idea was to take him to my parents because it's a neighborhood and not a lot of traffic. So this was where i was going to try and make him accustomed to being outside. I thought i was doing everything right

Now im missing my kitty!!!

 

[Furballsmom]

Be patient, he'll likely come out like he did last time

But when he got skittish the leash got caught on thr chair and he was able to get out of everything then jump thru the patio fence.

You'll want to try this inside the house first, more slowly and carefully. Read through the article - it has some good info

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Wait for dark...this is the most likely time for him to come out again!

The best harness I've found for cats is a holster-type harness, something like this:

They are almost impossible for a cat to wiggle out of, and comfortable to wear, once they get used to it.

 

[Popnfrsh24]

Yeah that looks better than what i had. It did go around his chest but he still squirmed out of it!!!

It's getting dark and cold out now i hope he comes back!

 

[SpecterOhPossum]

Wait for dark...this is the most likely time for him to come out again!

The best harness I've found for cats is a holster-type harness, something like this:

View attachment 329682

They are almost impossible for a cat to wiggle out of, and comfortable to wear, once they get used to it.

sorry to interrupt but what brand do you know sells those? I can't ever find a shirt type one..Tried a lot to make one but it wasn't strong of course. Specters is like a half top

 

[Norachan]

If he doesn't come out on his own you may have to use a humane trap, the kind used for TNR, to get him. I suggest you position the trap as close to the entrance of the culvert as you can.

Don't leave the trap unattended. You need to stay close by and make sure nothing else gets trapped and that he is taken indoors as soon as he's caught.

I thought I was going to be able to make him into an indoor/outdoor cat and take him around with me to places

The kind of cats who can be taken on adventures the way a dog can are very few and far between. The majority of cats don't like change and feel very uncomfortable out of their familiar territory.

He may enjoy walks around his own neighbourhood, but putting him in a car, driving somewhere and then expecting him to go for walks isn't going to happen. You'll just terrify him.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Hang on, SpecterOhPossum , let me google. I know that Chewy sells them, and Amazon. Petco. I googled "holster harness for cats" and got a TON of them! LOL, including one with a tiny back pack, for adventuring cats!

 

[SpecterOhPossum]

Hang on, SpecterOhPossum , let me google. I know that Chewy sells them, and Amazon. Petco. I googled "holster harness for cats" and got a TON of them! LOL, including one with a tiny back pack, for adventuring cats!

thank you !! I can never find them......I always hust find the little strappy ones and like.. baby carrier type ones !!!!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

thank you !! I can never find them......I always hust find the little strappy ones and like.. baby carrier type ones !!!!

You are more than welcome! Glad I could help.

 

[SpecterOhPossum]

Yeah that looks better than what i had. It did go around his chest but he still squirmed out of it!!!

It's getting dark and cold out now i hope he comes back!

Any news? If I were you I'd chug some coffee; prepare for an all nighter and watch from the window or door or porch for the night...to be safe

 

[Popnfrsh24]

If he doesn't come out on his own you may have to use a humane trap, the kind used for TNR, to get him. I suggest you position the trap as close to the entrance of the culvert as you can.

Don't leave the trap unattended. You need to stay close by and make sure nothing else gets trapped and that he is taken indoors as soon as he's caught.



The kind of cats who can be taken on adventures the way a dog can are very few and far between. The majority of cats don't like change and feel very uncomfortable out of their familiar territory.

He may enjoy walks around his own neighbourhood, but putting him in a car, driving somewhere and then expecting him to go for walks isn't going to happen. You'll just terrify him.

He was skittish as soon as i brought him over so yeah im worried i traumatized him. 10 pm and still no sign of him!! Im hoping he comes back in the middle of the night . I feel like such a bad cat daddy!

 

[Popnfrsh24]

Any news? If I were you I'd chug some coffee; prepare for an all nighter and watch from the window or door or porch for the night...to be safe

We just left the garage door cracked with his litter box, my used clothes, some tuna and some food. He did this before when i first got him....and when we checked in the morning he was just lying on some towels in the garage.

I'm hoping he does the same....idk how worth it it is to be super vigilant and keep an eye on the culver.


Ughhh! Just Want mah kitty back!!