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.

What about one of those long poles the RSPCA use with the loop on the end. You could drag him out with one of those if you can get hold of him. He won't like it though.

But I agree with people saying just leave him to it. He'll come in when hunger gets the better of him. Don't keep going out to him.

It's only been two days - you just need to leave him alone for a good period of time (more than three hours).

Every time someone goes out and makes a noise and tries to encourage him, the more panicked he's going to become. Just set the trap and leave him be.

I know it's really hard but he's clearly absolutely terrified and doesn't need people coming around and peering at him all the time.

It's only been two days - you just need to leave him alone for a good period of time (more than three hours).

I agree. @Concernedsis123 think back to when you first got them. I bet they hid for days / weeks and only came out when it was quiet to eat or use the litter tray.

Just leave the trap with food nearby and give him some space. I know you're worried but all the fussing around the shed won't be helping.

We're getting conflicting advice, because the rescue said I should go out and talk to him because I'm the person he trusts. He has responded to me and last night he came out and let me pet him a little bit, but he won't come into the house and he didn't use the trap (though he did sniff it a lot).

I think DH has been overdoing it though, going out every couple of hours. Thankfully he's out at work today so other than refreshing food in the trap there'll be no more activity from us for a while.

He's scared but he won't starve himself - you just need to give him time.

I’d follow the rescue advice because they’ve done this before.

Let’s hope when you get home tonight he is in the trap 🤞🏻

Hang around in the garden but at a distance. No hassle. Talk to yourself from time to time, just sit there reading or whatever. (Preferably in the shade!) Your cat will absolutely know you're there, he can smell and hear you. Eventually I bet he'll get relaxed enough to come out. If you have any bedding he's used, have that beside you. It's all going to reassure him.

DEFINITELY stop DH from going out and coaxing him every 2 hours! That's not helping.

I think he's feeling guilty as he left the window open and he just wants to get him back asap, but he's not understanding that his ideas would make it so much worse.

I've made it very clear to him now to leave the cat alone and stop fussing.

Is there any update?

He wouldn't go in the trap and the rescue said we had to feed him at this stage, as if he thought the trap was his only food source he'd leave the area and might not come back.

He got a bit braver tonight and DH got an opportunity to grab him. It wasn't pretty and they're both a bit traumatised but he's in. DH will need a tetanus shot and the cat will need the vet to look at his paw, though there's zero chance we'll get him in a carrier.

Glad it's over but it was bloody stressful.

Sounds very stressful, but I'm glad he is back inside now 😊

I'm glad he's back.

What kind of carrier do you have? I have a Catit Cabrio that opens and hinges at the top. It's a two person job to get my cat in (one holding the cat, one to quickly shut the top) but it is so much easier than trying to shove him through a door.

Try putting your carrier on its end. Lift cat by scruff of neck and put him in quick! With husband ready to close the door. It's awful when they are already traumatized but if he has to get to vet that might be the only way. Good luck and I hope his paw is ok

At last , hope cat and husband are feeling better soon .

My goodness! So glad he's back but what a drama! Hope everything settles down now and hubby and kitty kiss and make up soon! 😸

The drama continues...

His paw was really swollen and just didn't look right. Finally managed to get him into the carrier this morning and over to the vet, where there was a power cut in the middle of our appointment meaning they couldn't do an Xray. Rather than try to catch him again and bring him back tomorrow, I left him there in the hope that the power would come back and they could do the Xray.

No update yet but the poor boy has been in a carrier for nearly five hours now. :(

The vet thinks it's probably a fracture unfortunately, but the Xray will confirm how bad it is.

He has had a painkiller injection so hopefully has some relief at last, though he must be so scared.

You made the right call to leave him there.

We have a very frightened cat who was found as a stray. He has had two stays at the vets once due to illness and the other a cut to his foot. Both times getting him there was the worst bit. Once he was being treated he seems to zone out and becomes compliant. He was letting the vet staff pet him and he usually don’t go near strangers.

Fingers crossed for your cat that it is easily treatable.

Bless him (and you!) - he's in the right place though

They likely won’t have left him in his carrier , they will settle him in a cage in the hospital room . Hope you get some news soon . How is your husband doing ?

Poor kitty and DH what a stressful time it's been for all of you.
Hopefully the vets can sort him out ( the cat not your dh ! ) .
I agree with @Floralnomad , they will of put him in a cage but ( if its a big cage ) they will put his carrier in there too.
I always ask my vet to do this as my cat likes sleeping in his so its his 'safe space '

So glad you managed to catch him - being in pain certainly explains why he was hiding. Awful timing on the power cut but at least he's now on all the good drugs and will get sorted soon.

Thanks all. The bad news is that he has broken a couple of bones in his paw but the good news is that they are clean breaks. The vet is going to get an opinion from an orthopedic specialist and then we'll know the next steps, but he thinks there's a chance they could heal on their own, which would be amazing. Otherwise it's a cast or surgery.
In the meantime he has painkillers.

Horrible to think he was out there for days with broken bones but I'm just so relieved we were able to get him back in.

If he needs further vet treatment, could you get some Gabapentin, to give before you go. Might make it easier to get them in the carrier. It's worked absolute miracles on my girls anxiety.