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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Help - she’s lost the kitten

83 replies

ConstantlyChanging · 16/04/2021 18:00

My sister got a long-awaited kitten today for her 11 year old. The 11 year old was meant to keep kitty in her room till he settles in and appeared soon after kitty arrived saying kitty was missing. Despite the fact kitty was meant to be contained, 11 year old is not confident that the door was shut at all times and so may not be in her room. Her room is small so hard to see where he could be if he’s in there. They can’t find him anywhere. Door to the outside was closed so it must be in the house. Other complication is that they have a dog and introductions haven’t happened yet. Dog is now in the porch (kitty definitely isn’t) but sister is tearing her hair out at the fact that kitten could be anywhere in the 3 bedroom house and doesn’t know basic things like where the food, water or litter tray is. What will happen? What can they do?
I’m v far away so can’t go and help look (plus - Covid) and am feeling helplessly worried about the poor scared thing, incredibly annoyed with my niece but also, aware that niece (adopted) would be severely traumatised if this kitten doesn’t turn up. She’s had a lot of loss in her life and has been desperate for her own pet for years. All tips and positive experiences appreciated.

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 16/04/2021 18:03

He will come out again, don't worry. They can squeeze into tiny spots.

MichelleofzeResistance · 16/04/2021 18:04

Kitten is most likely to have found a tiny place to hide in terror at a new place. If it has only just left its mother, it will be not climbing much. Check under beds, behind everything, anywhere it could have crept, wallspaces, everywhere. Contain the dog, keep the dog contained, search thoroughly. You may have to have food and water out and wait patiently until it gets dark and quiet tonight before the kitten ventures out. I have also had one kitten get inside the workings of an electric piano, another get down behind the skirting boards and another managed to get behind the dashboard of a car once. Two couldn't get out again and had to be rescued. They get into the most ridiculous tiny spaces, you really do have to systematically look everywhere .

CharlieandLolaCat · 16/04/2021 18:07

One of mine hid in a tiny gap behind the loo that I didn't know existed for the first few hours. I then lost them the next day and after walking the streets desperately searching for them discovered them sleeping on the spare leaf of the table that is held underneath the main table (if you see what I mean). Literally would never have looked there. They sauntered out as if butter wouldn't melt ... it will turn up.

MichelleofzeResistance · 16/04/2021 18:07

Oh and keep the lids on all loos down so kitten can't accidentally fall in while no one's looking, and triple check everything in the washing machine before you close the door. And be careful of stairs if it's tiny.

MumofSpud · 16/04/2021 18:13

Don't panic! My new kitten 'disappeared' in a room that had the door and window firmly shut!
I even looked out the window to see if it had gone onto the roof (through a locked window?!)
They love, as other Ops, have said tiny places!
She now (1 year on) rules the roost and steals the dog's food!

MumofSpud · 16/04/2021 18:13

Train it to come to a shaken Dreamies box !!

HerRoyalNotness · 16/04/2021 18:16

Ours went missing and my DC though it had got out the door, they were very upset. We set off looking for it and posted on next door, only for the wee bastard to stroll out later that evening. Still have no idea where it had hidden

LegArmpits · 16/04/2021 18:17

Our two as kittens both popped out in tandem from behind the kitchen plinth from the slot the dishwasher door fits into when you open it.

It was like a magic trick! Grin

SilenceOfThePrams · 16/04/2021 18:17

Keep the dog corralled or send to a neighbour if you can do the kitten won’t hear it moving/barking.

If not found by bedtime, put small pots of kitten food in multiple quiet spaces, and see which ones are used. You’ll smell if it uses something other than the litter tray so that will be useful.

Maryann1975 · 16/04/2021 18:27

@LegArmpits

Our two as kittens both popped out in tandem from behind the kitchen plinth from the slot the dishwasher door fits into when you open it.

It was like a magic trick! Grin

That’s where our kitten hid too, behind a plinth in the kitchen. We didn’t even know there was a gap! Another one snuck in to the airing cupboard. We never knew there was a hole in the back that led to under the bath. Once we knew she liked it there, we propped the door open and she spent hours under there. They are really sneaky and will find the tiniest hole to hide in. If she doesn’t reappear by bedtime, I think the advice to leave out several bowls of food tonight and see which ones are gone by morning to narrow it down is good advice. Keep all External doors and windows Closed and Obviously keep the dog out of the way.
Original poster
ConstantlyChanging · 16/04/2021 18:36

Thank you so much! I’ve sent her screenshots of all your wise advice and reassurance. I’ve also just spoken to my very tearful niece on the phone and from her description I really doubt the kitten has left her room so I’ve sent her off to do another search. Probably way over sensitive because I know how much this means to her.

OP posts:
PaniniHead · 16/04/2021 18:43

Underneath the bed? Could be in between slats, behind drawers or gone through a hole in the base if it’s a divan

RagamuffinCat · 16/04/2021 18:46

It is probably in a spot that appears far too small for the kitten to fit!

NoSquirrels · 16/04/2021 18:49

It’ll be in her room, very very small somewhere that looks impossible. What colour is it? I’d advise your niece just sits very quietly with the lights off and waits. I know 11 year olds aren’t too patient (especially worried tearful ones) but it will come out. Eventually. Smelly food will help...

TofuCat · 16/04/2021 18:50

My auntie’s kitten hid underneath the bottom drawer of a chest of drawers. There was no back to it and he stuck in and hid himself. The drawer had to be removed to catch him.

gamerchick · 16/04/2021 18:53

Maybe stick the dog on a lead and let him have a sniff?

UhtredRagnarson · 16/04/2021 18:53

One of ours went up the chimney on his first day home.

gamerchick · 16/04/2021 18:54

Actually that's a bad idea, ignore that.

EL8888 · 16/04/2021 18:56

I vote under the bed, under drawers or in / under the wardrobe. They love to squish! During the first week l had mine then they climbed behind the fitted kitchen, l learned how good l am at taking kitchens apart Confused

GreyhoundG1rl · 16/04/2021 18:56

Cats can get through keyholes. There was one living in my outdoor toilet at one point, I couldn't believe it when I saw it squeezing out under the 2" gap under the door!

UhtredRagnarson · 16/04/2021 19:05

Keyholes?? Really?

GreyhoundG1rl · 16/04/2021 19:07

No, not really 😂. It was a slight exaggeration. They can squeeze in and out of bizarrely small places, though.

UhtredRagnarson · 16/04/2021 19:08

😂 I was wondering how big your keyholes are!

GreyhoundG1rl · 16/04/2021 19:08
Grin
FAQs · 16/04/2021 19:09

They just need to be really quiet, no rushing around or moving things! It’ll come out when it’s quiet and feels confident enough to appear.