Being able to reunite a lost cat and their owner is a rewarding feeling, but it’s also not always an easy task. Sometimes the cat won't approach you or for other reasons you might not be able to try and catch it. In this case, taking a photo or writing a description and posting on social media with the location can go a long way in helping someone track down their lost cat.

If you see a lost or stray cat and feel you're prepared and able to help, and if it’s safe to do so, here are some tips to help you find their owner as quickly as possible:

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Topics: Cats, Lost Pet, Outdoor cats, Cat Tips, Missing cat, Lost Cat, What to do if you cat is lost, Lost poster

 
Outdoor dangers abound for cats, and especially at night. One of the most dangerous threats to your cat if they’re out at night is also one of the most common objects they’re likely to encounter: a car. 

While it’s impossible to accurately track the actual number of cats killed by cars each year, estimates are well into the millions. And it stands to reason that when a driver’s ability to see decreases — like between dusk and dawn — accidents are more likely to happen. 

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Topics: Cat Behavior, Cars, Cats outdoors at night, Outdoor cats, Cat Collars

 
If you are going to walk your cat, don’t go about it like this writer from the New York Post. 

“I procured a cat leash and harness… from a friend, who had attempted, unsuccessfully, to walk her own cats. Hoping to have a better go of it, I strapped my 7-year-old tabby, Jameson, in and headed out on a recent sunny Saturday.”

As you might imagine, she soon realized that walking a cat is not exactly like walking a dog! First of all, cats don't always take to leashes and walks as readily as dogs (at least not initially). Second, being cats, they're not exacly, shall we say, "naturally inclined" to being led around by a leash. Third, many of the places you’d likely take your dog typically aren’t as well-suited for a cat (but fear not, there are often plenty of great alternatives!).

These differences don’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t try taking your cat for leash walks. After all, many cats can really enjoy and benefit from them! But they do mean that you really do first need to train and prepare your cat — and yourself — for these new outdoor adventures! 

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Topics: Cat Behavior, Clicker Training, Capturing Behavior, Outdoor cats

Nearly one in five lost pets goes missing after being scared by loud noises, according to the ASPCA. Considering 4th of July fireworks and the uptick in summer thunderstorms, it’s no wonder that summer is the time of year we all start to notice more lost cat posters adorning neighborhood poles and street signs.

Add in the fact that cats tend to spend more time outside in the summer months along with the increased likelihood that something will spook them, and it all equates to an unfortunate flight risk.

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Topics: Cats, Lost Pet, Blog, Cats outdoors at night, Outdoor cats, Cat Tips, Missing cat, Cat Predators, Lost Cat, Cat enclosure, What to do if you cat is lost, Cats Hiding, Lost poster

Reasons Why Your Cat May Be So Thirsty

An increase in thirst is quite a common thing for cat owners to mention during vet visits. Of course, it’s also common for them to miss the increased thirst, but bring up the other “end” of the issue… increased urinations.

Were you aware though that there are actually many potential causes of increased thirst and/or urinations in cats? These can include:

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Topics: Diabetes in Cats, Overweight Cat, Blog, Outdoor cats, Indoor cats, Ketones, Water, Thyroid Gland, Cat urine

Avoiding potential "hang-ups"

Many people don’t put collars on their cats, especially if those cats are exclusively indoors. Unfortunately as this story demonstrates, even “indoor-only” cats will occasionally get out.

There’s little debate that identifying your cat — ideally with both a collar/tag and a microchip — is your best bet for getting your cat back should they ever become lost. (A possibility that’s sadly even more likely to happen with the upcoming fireworks on and around the 4th of July!) Read More

Topics: Cat Safety, Microchip, 4th of July, Blog, Outdoor cats, Indoor cats, Cat Collars