khat have an uncanny power to observe their way back home , even from a keen length . This is often referred to as a “ homing instinct . ”
There have been many captivating stories about pets getting lost and reunify with their owners , but a late news news report involve a pet cat lost in Yellowstone National Park demonstrate just how telling the cat home instinct can be !
After getting lose in the woods during a summer 2024 tenting trip to Yellowstone Park , a very determined 2 - year - oldSiamese cat travel 800 miles back hometo California . Rayne Beau was found just three hours northwards of his family ’s home in Salinas , Calif. , nearly two months after he went neglect .
“ cat certainly are impressive , so while it ’s not necessarily surprising that a cat could find their way home within a vicinity or town , finding their path home from 800 miles away is spectacular ! ” aver Dr. Rhiannon Koehler , a veterinarian in Overland Park , Kansas . Even so , she sound out there are level of cats jaunt as far as 1,000 miles to get home . ( There might be something to that classic song “ The Cat Came Back ” after all ! )
Cat homing instinct
So what motivates cat to feel their way back home after wandering away or getting lose ? “ bozo are very territorial , so it ’s possible that the drive to find their ‘ territory ’ or the people in it actuate them to come home , ” Dr. Koehler says . Home to a cat means reliable shelter , food , and fondness .
“ We do n’t know what makes a big cat find its way back domicile , ” Dr. Koehler adds . “ One of the prevail theories is that they have some power to smell geomagnetic theater , peradventure combined with scent clue . ”
How to prevent your cat from getting lost
While it ’s reassuring to hear that a cat may be able to find their path home if they get lost , it ’s significant to keep in mind that free - roaming pets face potential danger . “ Even with the theory that cat have an impressive homing inherent aptitude , traveling over large distances still endanger them to dangers such as getting hit by a car , predation , the elements , and malady , ” Dr. Koehler warns .
Some steps you could take to help prevent your CT from getting lost let in keeping them indoors , getting them microchipped ( and keep microchip information current ) , and get them wear a breaking away collar with your contact data .
“ If you do move with your cat , consider keeping them in a postman when travel so they ca n’t escape out of open fomite door , ” Dr. Koehler suggests . you may also try putting a harness and rope on your qat to see if they will tolerate it , as this can be an extra safety measure for taking cats alfresco .
If you move aside to a new place , you’re able to take some proactive measures to assist a cat feel more at repose in their new house and inspire them to stay put instead of wandering off . “ Bring along familiar detail , such as their preferred toy , beds , and scratching objects , ” Dr. Koehler says . you’re able to also expend pheromone diffusers or talk to your veterinarian about taste anti - anxiety supplements or medications if your computerized axial tomography is skin with the adjustment .
