Help! Indoor cat got out, hiding under shed and won't budge

[Concernedsis123]

Yesterday afternoon DH left a window open in a room the cats aren't allowed in, but it seems they have learned to open the door.

They are both extremely anxious and trust nobody but DH and I. They were rescued quite late as kittens so they weren't socialised as early as they ideally would have been. The rescue specified that they should be kept indoors.

Anyway, boy cat got out of the (upstairs) window and somehow made his way into the garden, and has been hiding under the shed ever since. It has been almost 24 hours now.

He briefly poked his head out late last night when I was talking to him and trying to bribe him with dreamies, but when I tried to pet him he got spooked and ran back under.

Even if he does come out, I don't know how we'll get him inside as he goes insane if anyone tries to pick him up.

I'm getting worried now. Anyone got any suggestions? We've tried smelly food, shaking the treats bag, trail of cat kip to the door, putting out his blanket, but nothing.

His sister is off her food too and very restless.

Tuna in the back of a cat carrier right near the shed and then close the door quickly .

I will try this thanks, though he is generally scared of the carrier too.

Leave back door open, put a bowl of something yummy and smelly just inside it, leave well alone. If he’s used to being indoors he probably does want to go back in!

Leave the door open, leave him alone and he will run back in. Don’t try to pick him up or pet him.

Leave back door open, tuna inside but far enough inside he actually has to get his whole self in to eat it.

Leave the back door open. Put food in the middle of the room (something he really likes) and some clothes / items that smell like you near the back door.

Then you just need to be patient. If he's been under the shed for 24 hours he's obviously not keen to go off and explore, so there's a very good chance he'll come straight back inside as soon as you're away from the shed.

We have been putting smelly food inside the back door, but it's a bit far from where he's hiding so I'm not sure if he smells it.

I will get some tuna, I actually don't know if he likes it but it's worth a try.

DH keeps going out there and I'm trying to convince him to leave it for a while.

He also wants to go into the shed and stomp around a bit to scare him out, which is a terrible idea!

Tinned salmon would be as good as that smells .

You're putting food inside the back door, but are you also going to where he's hiding with treats / food? If so there's no incentive to come into the house as he knows if he waits a while more food will appear right infront of him.

We did give a couple of treats initially to get him to trust us but not now. Going to try the tuna next.

No reaction to the tuna so far.

We have been leaving him alone for periods of an hour or so but it doesn't make a difference. He's an extremely nervous cat and I feel like he'll stay there for days, which isn't great with hot weather and no water intake (we have left water by the shed).

Getting very worried now.

He won't starve himself to death, don't worry, his survival instinct won't let him. Just be patient, leave water near him and food inside, don't scare him, and take your time. Think of it like trying to tame a cat.

I agree.

I also wouldn't keep going back every hour. You need to keep your distance (stay in the house) and leave the back door open. He has food and water, now all you need to do is give him space and let him find his own way out.

I think I might block all around the shed leaving just one exit with a cat trap that will shut behind him.

You can hire them from most vets.

Depending on which area you are in there are animal charities who specialise in reuniting pets and will support you with kit and guidance.

Thanks everyone who has responded, I really do appreciate it.

DH is nervous about leaving the back door open too late as there was some kind of large creature hanging around last night (big round thing, don't think it was a rat but not entirely sure what it was). Also there's the whole security issue. I think we should though.

Why do men have these stupid ideas like stomping. I hope he comes in soon.

flat cat screens work well for indoor cats I have them front and back.

He won't starve himself to death, he just needs time and to be left alone. The more you go out and fuss over him, the more frightened he's going to be, especially as you say he was badly socialised and hates being handled.

Could you perhaps bring his sister out in a cat carrier and place it near the shed? She might call for him and it might reassure him to smell and hear her.

Hope you manage a reunion soon! At least you know where he is.

Thanks all. He's still out there, but is coming out slightly every so often and then retreating back. He's holding up one paw and moving very awkwardly so I think he must have hurt himself on his way out.

@GlomOfNit We were thinking along those lines, we tried putting her in a harness but it was massively stressing her out. She's afraid of the carrier too so if we bring her out and she's distressed it probably wouldn't help.

Bloody cats! 😭 love them and all but they don't half stress us out!

If you think he’s injured I think you really need to get him out whether it causes him more stress or not .

Any joy @Concernedsis123

Hire a cat trap and bait it with his favourite food.

He's still there, we got a trap from the local rescue so we're trying that.

Starting to get really worried now, we set the trap three hours ago and nothing.

@Floralnomad What do you suggest? I feel like we're trying everything