When bringing a new kitten to join your family, it is important to bear in mind that your new furry friend is experiencing a lot of change that can make her feel frightened and apprehensive. Kittens may do a number of different things to help them cope with their fears such as taking refuge underneath your sofa or living room chairs or even hiding behind your kitchen appliances. Hiding behind these things can help calm the kitten’s feelings of anxiety at the overwhelming changes she is trying to adapt to in her new home. In some cases, kittens may even worm their way inside walls, making you not only scratch your head at how they got in there but also worry about how you will get them out. Thankfully, if your new kitten has suddenly gone MIA, it is possible to get her safely back with a little ingenuity.
Top Tips for Finding a Lost Kitten in Your House
There are several different things you can do if your new kitten goes missing in your home.
Here are our top tips to help reunite you with your fave furry feline:
Consider all the furniture
Kittens, much like puppies, feel comforted when able to curl up in small areas with very little light. There are lots of places within your home that meet these conditions, and these are the ideal spots for you to begin your search. Among the spots to consider are your bed (both in and under it), the inside of your boxspring, and underneath or inside bedding. Other ideal hiding places for kittens looking for a place of refuge are living room furniture such as recliners, sofas, and other chairs, behind bookshelves, and in cabinets or drawers.
When searching for a kitten that may be hiding in or behind furniture, it is recommended that you proceed with caution. If you open or close pieces of furniture or drawers quickly, you may inadvertently crush your kitten.
Look near appliances and electronic goods
Kittens particularly like hiding near appliances since they generate warmth during operation. This natural heat is reminiscent of their mother, giving them great feelings of comfort when stressed. Since kittens don’t just hide behind appliances, you will need to carefully pull out units such as refrigerators and gently inspect to see if your fave furry feline is hiding inside the back of it. Other appliances to check include inside washers and dryers and your dishwasher.
Many kittens also find it soothing to hide between clothing, towels, and sheets in your laundry basket. To check for a kitten, gently remove each item, carefully looking for your kitty’s presence.
While examining appliances, it is also a good idea to consider your electronics. Many kittens like to hide behind computer desks or large screen TVs.
Check the structure of the house
If you’ve looked in all of the obvious places and still can’t find your kitten, it’s time to consider whether or not your kitty has decided to hibernate inside your walls or HVAC system. To help determine if this may be the case, experts recommend tapping the area where you think your kitten may be hiding. The sound of your tapping is typically sufficient to induce soft meows or to start the kitten moving in a different direction, thus alerting you to your kitten’s presence.
Kittens also like to hide in areas such as attics, garages, and basements. Common areas you should carefully inspect when looking for your kitten include the rafters, behind tools and large yard appliances such as lawnmowers, and both inside and behind boxes.
Pipes can also be attractive to kittens looking for a place to hide.
If you do happen to find your kitten is trapped within your wall, you can make use of a jigsaw tool to gently cut a hole into the wall to help you reach her and move her back out to safety. Exercise great caution when doing this to prevent any potential injury. For kittens trapped within pipes or HVAC systems, it may be necessary to call for professional help to safely remove the kitten from its hiding place.
Make use of food
Most kittens love to eat. If your fave furry feline has proven elusive, it’s time to find a yummy snack that may lure her out of her lair.
Sometimes simply the sound of food preparation is enough to send a kitten scurrying back to your side. These include such noises as those made by using a can opener or the rustle of a bag of favorite treats opening.
If you are dealing with a particularly skittish kitten, you will want to use a treat that is extremely fragrant. Both tuna and salmon are of great appeal to cats, but chicken is also a great attractant. Take the food to the area where you last saw your kitten, leaving a small amount there in the hope of enticing her to come out and take a bite or two. While waiting for your kitten to respond to the treats, you will need to be extra vigilant to ensure you can quickly grab her when she comes out of hiding. Some kittens find the mixture of cat food and kitten milk replacer exceptionally appealing.
Bringing a new kitten home? It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for the potential that your new fave furry friend may feel the need to hide away to cope with the changes in her life. Familiarize yourself with our top tips to help you find your kitten if she goes MIA. You’ll be glad you did!
