Return of the Prodigal Cats
In modern cities, most domestic cats spend their entire lives in apartments. It is not uncommon for an animal unfamiliar with the street to fall out or jump out of a window. A cat can also leave its home through an open front door. How to catch a cat if it is on the street? Try to calm down and find out the exact location of your pet. Do not try to immediately run into the yard and try to grab the animal with your bare hands. This option for catching cats is doomed to failure in 90% of cases.
If your pet has never left the apartment, getting close to the street is always stressful for him. Even the calmest animal will behave aggressively and may simply not recognize its owners. A trick will help you bring your cat home. Be sure to dress in thick clothing and protect your hands with leather gloves. First, try luring the animal with food or your favorite toys. To enhance the effect, you can sprinkle the bedding on which the cat sleeps at home with “catnip” (sold as a spray in pet stores) and take it outside.
Don't expect the animal to come into your hands. Most likely, you will have to grab it very quickly. A good option is to wait until your cat is interested in food and then throw a jacket or blanket over it.
How to wean a cat off the street
So that the tramp is not drawn to his usual habitat, he is surrounded by care. What the new owners are doing:
- create comfortable living conditions - a sleeping house, a place for games, a tray;
- They take you out to the balcony for a walk. First take care of mosquito nets and bars on windows;
- several trays are placed, the pet chooses where it is convenient for him to go to the toilet;
- well fed. The diet will be agreed upon with the veterinarian;
- castrate and sterilize animals;
- playing with a kitten.
Note! The cat is taken out into the yard in a carrier bag and is not left unattended.
Stray cats are pathetic creatures. When there is a desire to take the sufferer home, they find out whether it is a neighbor’s pet. They are caught using carriers and special traps. Maintain personal safety, as the cat may be infected with worms and external parasites. They organize quarantine at home and at the same time tame the cat. Patience and love turn a homeless child into an affectionate pet.
We catch a cat using traps from scrap materials
You should use radical methods only if you are confident in your abilities and you urgently need to return the animal home. In cats, stress passes quickly enough and without serious consequences. In most cases, pets that have fallen/jumped out of apartment windows return to their owners on their own within a few days. But if the street is too unsafe, for example, there are a lot of stray animals, you should very quickly figure out how to catch the cat. You should also hurry if you think that the animal urgently needs to be shown to a veterinarian.
A homemade trap can be made from a fish net. Hang it from tree branches. Attach ropes that, when pulled, will trigger the trap. Now all that remains is to put the bait under the net and wait for the animal to appear. You can catch a runaway cat using another device loved by fishermen - a landing net. This is a large triangular shaped net. Your task is to sneak up behind the animal and quickly throw a net over it.
Cat trap
Radical methods in the form of homemade traps should be resorted to in special cases: for example, if you are going on a trip, and in the next hour and a half you need to take your pet to a cat boarding house or take it to its mother.
Cats who find themselves outside the apartment quickly adapt to unusual conditions and in most cases do not experience any serious stress. After wandering in the wild, they come home as if nothing had happened and behave as if their escape existed only in the imagination of their owners. If there are no dogs, no wild animals, or heavy traffic where you live, there is basically nothing to worry about. But within the city limits our pets face many very real dangers, so returning home as quickly as possible becomes a matter of life and death. You can't do this without a strong trap.
It is very convenient to catch runaway cats using a landing net - fishing equipment in the form of a large net on a long (2 or more meters) handle. If you have the patience to lay in wait for the gulena, carefully sneak up to it and throw a net with a quick, precise movement, consider it already at home!
You can construct a trap for cats (albeit not as grandiose as in the cartoon of the same name, but much safer) using a fishing net: hang it on the branches of a nearby tree, attach strong ropes with which the trap is activated. It's just a matter of finding the right bait.
In general, catching runaway cats is closely related to fishing. Here you will find fishing gear, a special attitude, and reaction speed, not to mention a thoughtful choice of bait.
It can be a dish beloved by an animal, but for a number of reasons a forbidden dish: a good piece of fried meat, smoked sausage, fish or seafood - always without bones. It is not advisable to lure cats with sour cream, cheese or milk. Even if your pet is crazy about these dishes at home, outside he may simply not smell them. If you take a piece of fish or bacon skin as bait, you won’t go wrong, again, provided that the cat knows and loves these foods.
Carrying and special trap cages
If the escaped cat adequately tolerated traveling in a special carrier, you are very lucky. It is enough just to leave the cat carriage open near the place where the animal is hiding. Place some treat inside. Don't forget that cats are quick to react. It's best not to try to close the carrier door yourself. Tie a string to its handle and keep it at a distance, or come up with an automatic closing mechanism.
There are also special cages for catching animals in outdoor conditions. Visually, they often resemble regular carriers and are distinguished by a built-in door closing mechanism. It is expensive to buy such a device for one-time use. Usually such traps are found in shelters and veterinary clinics. Try to negotiate a rental of this device and go to catch the animal using the most technologically advanced method.
Size
We focus our advice on the average city dweller.
From time to time you need to go to the veterinarian, go to the dacha on the weekend, and visit relatives in the neighboring region a couple of times a year. We assume that for some time the carrier should become a second home for your furry pet. Well-known cat priorities are comfort and safety. This means that you should not choose a very tight product. The animal should be placed at full height, be able to change position, and stretch a little. Also provide places for food and drink (for long trips). On the other hand, carrying too much can sometimes become downright dangerous. The universal advice is this: in most cases, look for the “golden mean”. Another important point: if you have several pets, then each of them needs to be provided with an individual carrier. Don't forget: comfort and safety. Two or more cats in one carrier is an inherently stressful situation.
Truth and myths about valerian
It is an established fact that all cats are partial to valerian. You can try using this pharmaceutical remedy to catch an escaped animal. Buy an alcohol tincture of valerian; most cats do not show interest in tablets. The best option is to lubricate your own hands or clothing with the drug and wait for the animal to approach you.
If the cat is too scared, this method will not work. Then leave a carrier or a regular cardboard box near the place where the pet is hiding. Build a bedding inside, drop a few drops on it and wait for the cat to appear. It is better not to use Valerian in places where many wild animals live. The smell will attract all representatives of the cat family without exception. But, seeing a large gathering of its relatives, a stressed domestic cat is unlikely to leave its shelter.
Choose a way to catch a cat on the street based on the animal’s character. Remember: every unsuccessful attempt at catching is a new shock for the pet.
Safety
So let's talk about it. The worst idea that can come to your mind is to open the door, put your pet in and start the ride. You need to start carefully and gradually, giving the cat the opportunity to explore the “camping house” on its own terms. Buy a carrier, bring it into the house, but take your time putting it away (or remove it at least a week before your intended trip). Place it in a visible place, open the door welcomingly and step aside. If you have a timid, fearful pet, dismantle the door or remove the top cover altogether. Place inside an object that is familiar to the cat - a blanket, mattress, toy, etc. You can treat the carrier with catnip. Having noticed that your pet has begun to visit the carrier, install the lid and door. The pussy needs to understand that the carrier is a cozy and warm place where you can relax and unwind.
How to catch a wild animal?
We hope that you are planning to catch a “nobody’s” street cat solely with noble intentions. Felines that have been raised on the street or have suffered abuse usually do not trust people. How to catch a wild cat that won't be handled? First, observe the animal. Determine its approximate habitat and try to find out if someone feeds this cat. If a feral cat trusts at least one person, you can always try to negotiate with him and ask for help in catching the animal.
You can try to make friends with a cat if you definitely decide to pick it up from the street. Start feeding the animal regularly and talk to it. Do not try to pet or grab the cat if he does not come on his own. Be patient, and within a few days the cat will rub against your legs and then voluntarily go into your arms.
How to catch a wild cat
Wild animals are often called individuals that have no experience of social adaptation with people. Animals are afraid of humans and react aggressively to his actions. Determine if they are strays before catching them.
The difference between a wild animal and a domestic pet
It is often very difficult to distinguish a street feline from a tailed one that has left the house for a walk. The idea that a wild stray cat is necessarily dirty and thin is a misconception. Street four-legged animals are often fed by caring residents of nearby houses, so they are not always exhausted. And since cats are clean creatures that take care of their fur, healthy stray animals can look no worse than their counterparts living at home.
If it is difficult to determine whether a cat is truly feral, watch him for a while. When an animal is on the street both day and night, it is unlikely that it has a home. Domestic walking cats return from the street at night.
Lost pets make contact even with a stranger because they associate warmth and food with him. Signs of a stray cat are wounds and scratches on the face and body, torn ears, which are evidence of its participation in battles for a female or protection of territory.
Is it worth catching other people's cats?
Usually cats and dogs are caught on the street for two purposes: to take the animal into your home or to provide it with medical care, and then place it in good hands. These are all good intentions, but what should you do if you meet a domestic cat on the street? You should not catch such cats. Some owners let their pets out for a walk. If the animal looks frightened, emaciated or injured, but has a collar, you should act immediately. The simplest option: try to find the owners of the “lost” and provide them with information about the whereabouts of the pet. If the animal is calm and goes into the hands of strangers, you can take it home and only after that begin the search for the owners.
Catching a pet
There are fewer difficulties in catching a cat that has found itself on the street by accident than in catching a wild animal.
A pet trusts a person and makes contact easier. To lure, you should stock up on an arsenal of goodies in order to identify the preference of the lost one. Being predators by nature, cats will sooner or later appreciate the offered treat, and contact will be established.
When feeding even a domestic-looking cat, you need to stock up on a carrier for transporting your pet, and also take measures for safe contact with the animal. You need to wear thick gloves when handling the cat. It's better to approach from behind.
If the animal is distrustful and has spent some time outside, a trap can be used to catch it.
The best bait for a cat
Treats will help attract the cat. Which one is best to choose? If you catch your runaway pet, be guided by its food preferences. A universal option is ready-made food. Dry formulas for feeding cats are considered more convenient to use. You will appreciate all their advantages as soon as you try to lure out a cat hiding in a secluded place. Wet canned food is more fragrant, and all kinds of pates and soufflés for cats are a real delicacy. Many animal experts answer the question: “How to catch your neighbor’s cat by luring him with food?” — they advise trying to interest your cat in canned fish.
You can also use fish, seafood, meat, and sausages as bait. Be sure to finely chop the selected product. If you are giving meat or fish, first boil a piece and remove all bones. You should not feed your cat milk and dairy products. It is unknown who came up with the myth about cats’ love for this product. In fact, not all cats love milk. In addition, its consumption harms the digestive system of these animals.
Which cats catch mice and rats, heredity and upbringing
Let's look at which cats are better at catching mice. First of all, the success of the hunt depends on the color of the pet. If the color of the animal is black, gray, red, there are dim spots or stripes, then it will be much more convenient for him to hunt, it will be easier for him to merge with nature.
Domestic rat-catching cats catch mice because of the hunter's instinct, developed in them since childhood. All harmless games with a pet using “teasing” are actually preparing the pet to pursue and prey on its prey.
Homeless yard animals, just like domestic animals, follow their instincts. For them, hunting serves as a direct source of food and a way to survive.
There is an opinion that castrated cats are worse at catching mice and rats. Your pet's behavior can change greatly after sterilization. Because of this, many rural residents wonder whether a neutered cat will also deftly exterminate rodents or will it lazily sleep all day long.
Hypothetically, the hunting instinct should not be lost in the pets of rat catchers. However, in reality everything happens differently. If the rat catcher cat does not eat properly, it quickly gains weight, which causes laziness, apathy and leads to a slowdown in metabolism. It will be very difficult for the pet to hunt, so it may stop exterminating rodents. The rat catcher needs to be fed correctly after sterilization.
It is believed that the difference between outbred and purebred animals lies not only in appearance, but also in the complete absence of hunting instincts in the latter.
Owners of domestic cats believe that only domestic animals, which have been trained from childhood by their mother mousetrap to obtain food, can be rat catchers. However, this is not quite true. There are many purebred pet rat catchers who catch mice no worse than domestic ones.
Why do cats bring caught mice to their owners?
There are several reasons why pets catch mice: entertainment, food, defense of territory, caring for their offspring or owners.
The cat catches a rat, plays with it and releases it, or eats it. There are different scenarios for the development of events after a cat passes by its owners with a mouse in its teeth. No one could fully understand why the cat plays with the mouse.
Mice and rats can serve as food for both indoor and outdoor cats. With only one difference - pet rat catchers do not eat mice so much and not so often, since they have enough food given by their owners.
Ratcatcher cats value their possessions very much, mark their territory and even protect it from uninvited guests. You can often hear the guttural sounds of cats preparing to attack an enemy who has entered their territory. Ratcatcher cats also protect the house from mice. Cats don’t need extra “guests”.
What you need to know about unfamiliar animals
Be careful when catching cats on the street. The animal may scratch or bite you. Cats are carriers of various diseases, many of which occur without significant symptoms. Be sure to show the caught animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If you plan to keep your cat at home before visiting the doctor, place it in quarantine, isolating it from other animals.
If you are bitten by a wild cat, you should immediately see a specialist. It is better not to touch street animals that look unhealthy. But if you want to cure such a cat, follow all the rules of hygiene and try to avoid direct contact.
The above instructions on how to catch a cat in a trap will help you. We all know from childhood that you shouldn’t touch a cat’s tail. Also try to remember that only kittens can be lifted by the fold of skin on the neck. It is not recommended to grab adults like this.
Preparing a trap for a stray cat
There are tricks to catching a wild cat. Stray animals that live in the street environment for a long time are very cautious and are not inclined to trust humans. In this regard, various devices in the form of traps are usually used to catch them.
A thick cardboard box, a stick with a rope and tasty bait are suitable as a means of catching. Yummy food to attract a cat should have a solid consistency (milk will spill in the box) and have an attractive smell (dry food, canned food for cats). The bait should be placed on a plastic plate for the safety of the animal.
A carrier with a vertical door can be used as a trap for an outdoor cat. The door is secured in the upper position and a rope is tied to it. The bait is placed in the carrier.
You can borrow a special trap for animals from specialized services for catching stray pets or from a shelter.
To learn how to catch a street cat, watch this video:
How to catch a cat at home?
They say that cats have excellent intuition. And it’s true, most cats that are afraid of the road begin to hide immediately before getting ready for a trip. If you regularly visit the veterinarian or go to the country with your pet, you should try to accustom him to travel.
Buy a comfortable carrier and place it in a visible place. You can put your cat's favorite bedding or food inside. Let your tailed friend sniff this acquisition himself and make sure that there is nothing scary inside. If the trip is not planned, but important, feel free to catch the animal and place it in a carrier or a special bag. It is worth noting that catching a cat at home is much easier than on the street. In a small room, two people can complete this task in 5-10 minutes.
Animal at home: what to do with it?
After you have managed to catch a cat on the street, you need to carry out a number of manipulations. First of all, the animal must be fed. In this case, you should offer several products to choose from. Even hungry pets remain conservative in their choice of food. You can offer your cat dry food, as well as natural products: cottage cheese, lean meat, boneless fish. As a rule, the animal will choose food that is familiar to it.
Place a bowl of clean water next to your food. Some exhausted individuals do not immediately attack food due to lack of strength. The selected animal may experience severe dehydration in the summer. In the future, your cat should always have filtered water.
After the animal has eaten, it will need a toilet. On the first day, if you don’t have a special cat litter box, you can limit yourself to a box, the bottom of which needs to be covered with polyethylene and filled with regular sand. Outdoor cats, accustomed to burying feces in the ground or sand, will accept the innovation more calmly than a tray with industrial litter.
If a captured cat shows signs of damage to its skin and fur, it should not be bathed. Street dwellers are often sources of ringworm. In this case, water procedures will aggravate the infection and are unsafe for humans. Any animal picked up on the street should be shown to a veterinarian on the first day. The specialist will conduct a clinical examination of the pet, prescribe tests if necessary, and give an opinion on its safety for humans and other pets from the point of view of infections.
After examination at a veterinary clinic, if there are no contraindications, the cat can be washed. For the water procedure, it is better to use a special antiparasitic shampoo for prevention purposes.
The next step in caring for an animal taken from the street is treatment against worms. For this purpose, drops on the withers are best suited. If the animal is calm, then you can give the drug in tablet form.
When you need specialist help
Our pets sometimes end up in completely unexpected places. Remember one simple rule: if an animal is in a hard-to-reach place and cannot get out on its own, try to adequately assess the possibility of saving it on your own. A cat can climb high up a tree or fall into a vent or sewer hatch. In all such cases, you should not be a hero; it is better to seek professional help. Your pet will be saved by a special animal control service or a unified rescue service (if the situation is truly emergency).
What to do if you need to catch an animal very quickly? Consult your veterinarian about the possibility of using sedatives and ask for the correct dosage. The medicine should be mixed into the bait treat. As soon as the animal eats, keep your eyes on it. Try not to let your cat hide in the basement or other secluded place. Then try to catch a black cat in a dark room! Once the drug begins to work, the reaction will slow down and the animal will appear sleepy. At this moment you can pick him up.
Blanket
If you cannot catch the animal peacefully, you can resort to more radical methods. For example, build a trap for cats from scrap materials. The simplest option is a blanket. Having approached the cat at a permissible distance (it needs to be lured with food), throw a blanket on top and grab it tightly, preventing the animal from escaping. In this case, an open carrier or other reliable device should already be ready in which it will be possible to transport the cat home or to another safe place.
