Christmas tree and missing cat

[Caoimhin]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting so apologies if I have put this in the wrong section. Our house cat went missing last Friday (29th November). We think we have spotted her on two separate occasions on the mornings of the 5th and 6th of December in the area. We are doing (we think) all the recommended steps to try and encourage her back. However, with Christmas coming up we are not sure what to do when it comes to decorating our house for Christmas, specifically when it comes to putting up a Christmas tree. We may be over thinking it but as we have spotted her so close to our house (100m at the most) we weren't sure if the smell of a Christmas tree would overpower the rest of the smells from the house that out cat might recognise (clothing, bedding, food etc.) Any thoughts or advice? Thanks Caoimhín

 

[rubysmama]

Hi. Sorry your cat is missing. Is this the first time she's ever been outside? If so, she's probably quite scared.

How old is she? Is she spayed? If not, she will likely come home pregnant.

About the Christmas tree, I would think since it's inside the house, it wouldn't really make a difference. But hopefully you can get her back inside in the next day or so, and then it won't be a concern.

Here's a TCS article on Help! My Cat Is Lost! [Step By Step Guidance To Find Your Beloved Kitty] - TheCatSite
Also a thread with links that might have tips: Tips for finding a lost cat

 

[Margot Lane]

Playing a recording of a momma cat calling for her kittens always made my (full grown) boy come running. Don’t know if this helps! Actually, imitating the sound myself worked.

 

[Caoimhin]

Hi all, Thank you for your replies. It's the first time she's been out of the house since we've had her. The first 3 years of her life she was a feral cat and then was rescued. We adopted her pretty soon after that and had her for four years during which time she was a house cat exclusively. She was spayed when she was rescued so at least we don't have to worry about that. Thank you for the suggestions, I didn't even think about laying a recording so I might give that a try.

 

[rubysmama]

Fingers crossed that the recording works.

Since she is a former feral, she might be cautious around a trap, but you could look into borrowing one from a TNR group, and then enticing her into it with something yummy smelling like KFC.

 

[Alldara]

Putting her litter box outside has been known to work. You should put a shelter nearby your door for her to hide in, and a baby monitor if you can borrow one. It gives her a close place to hide and you can see when she pops by to.come home.

Otherwisebe very consistent with going out and calling her and shaking her food bag.