You Can Use These Clever Tips To Entice Your Cat To Come Home Quickly After Sundown
Cats are independent, curious, and sometimes, just a bit too adventurous for their own good– especially when it comes to their nightly escapades.
As a cat owner, you’re all too familiar with the drill. It’s late at night, and you’re ready for bed, but your feline friend is nowhere in sight.
So, how do you get your wandering cat to finally come home without turning into a nocturnal creature yourself? Here are some practical tips to make those evening callbacks a bit easier.
Understanding Your Cat’s Nightly Habits
Before we dive into the tips, it’s crucial to understand why your cat even loves the night so much.
Cats are naturally crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk. This can explain their sudden burst of energy when you’re winding down, and knowing this can help you plan your call-back strategy around their natural instincts.
First, Create A Routine
Cats, just like us humans, are ultimately creatures of habit. So, establishing a solid routine can be incredibly effective.
You can start by trying to call your cat home at the same time every single evening, using a distinct sound– like a bell– or a specific call.
FurryFritz – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual cat
Consistency is key to success here. Over time, your cat will learn that this sound means it’s time to head back home.
Practicing Recall
Speaking of calls, you might’ve thought that commands were just for dogs. However, cats can learn to come when called, too, and it’s a super useful skill.
To get started on training your feline, choose a specific call or sound. It could be their name, a whistle, or even just a certain word. Then, use this sound consistently whenever you feed them or give them treats. This association between the sound and something positive will encourage them to come to you.
You can also practice this during the day in a controlled environment, gradually increasing the distance over time.
The key here is patience and consistency. The training process will take time, but it’s incredibly rewarding in the end.
The Power Of Positive Reinforcement
Remember that cats cannot resist a tasty treat, either. That’s why using their favorite snacks as a lure can be a great way to encourage them to return home.
The trick is to only give this special treat when they return at the desired time. In other words, make sure you’re only rewarding your cat for their timely response.
Create A Safe And Inviting Outdoor Space
Some cats also just love the outdoors, and sometimes, going outside is too irresistible for them.
In that case, you can try to curate an appealing outdoor space. That way, your cat is more inclined to hang out close to home.
This might include some safe climbing structures, cozy hiding spots, or even a “catio,” an enclosed patio designed especially for cats!
Install A Cat Door
A cat door can be a game changer for both you and your cat, too. It gives them the freedom to come and go as they please while reducing your stress since you won’t have to worry about letting them in and out.
When choosing a cat door, you might want to consider one with a lock or a timer function. This allows you to control when your cat can use it and is particularly useful if you want to keep them inside at night.
Installing a cat door also means your cat can return home whenever they want, potentially reducing the time they spend wandering at night.
Just be sure to introduce your cat to the cat door gradually, using treats and positive reinforcement to encourage them to use it.
Get Help From High-Tech Devices
It’s also never been easier to keep tabs on your feline friend than in today’s tech-savvy world.
More specifically, you can easily attach a GPS tracker to your cat’s collar– allowing you to have real-time updates on their whereabouts.
Microchipping is important as well for keeping your cat safe and helping you reunite with your pet if they happen to wander too far.
Close The Night With Cuddle Time
Last but not least, try to make returning home a pleasant experience for your cat.
You can do this by spending some time cuddling or playing with your cat once they’ve gotten home. Either way, this positive association can make them more eager to readily return home at night in the future.
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More About:Animals