Have you ever wondered how far cats roam, or what they get up to when you're not around? It's a common question that lots of pet parents have – especially if their feline often goes missing for days at a time.
Losing a pet (even if it's just for a few hours!) can be a scary experience, but tools like the best GPS trackers for pets can make it much easier to pin down their location and become reunited.
Below, cat behaviorist Claire Stares reveals how far your cat really roams, why cats like to stray, and eight ways to curb their wanderlust for good. She's worked with cats in vet clinics, shelters, and rescue and welfare organizations for 18 years and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behavior.
How far do cats roam?
While most cats only roam up to 200 meters (650 feet) from home, research using GPS trackers has shown that some travel significant distances.
A study published in the journal of Animal Conservation, which tracked the movements of cats in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand, found that while the average roaming range was no more than 1km2, some individuals covered much larger areas, with ranges over 8km2.
Felines living in rural areas tend to roam further than their urban counterparts, as urban dwellers typically have much smaller territories, often restricted to their immediate yard or neighborhood due to the higher cat population density.
Female cats typically have smaller ranges than males, particularly un-neutered toms, whose territories will usually overlap with several females to increase their chances of finding a mate.
Why do cats roam?
Cats roam for various reasons driven by their natural instincts, needs and emotional state, including:
1. They’re looking for a mate
Unneutered cats are much more likely to roam than cats that have been castrated or spayed. Increased levels of sex hormones and the powerful instinct to reproduce can trigger roaming behavior, causing intact males and females that have come into heat to venture outside their territory in pursuit of sexual partners.
Even indoor-only cats may attempt to escape from the house in their desperation to find a mate.
2. They’re hunting or foraging
A cat’s natural drive to hunt for prey or forage for food compels them to explore new areas. Engaging in predatory and foraging behavior doesn’t just satisfy their dietary requirements, it also provides them with physical and mental stimulation, which is crucial for their health and overall well-being.
3. They’re seeking security
If a cat feels anxious or fearful in their home environment they may roam in search of a quieter, safer place where they can find refuge from perceived threats or persistent stressors. For example, the introduction of a dog or another cat to the family, an intruder cat invading their core territory, or loud construction noise.
4. They’re exploring
Cats are naturally curious creatures, which drives them to roam and investigate unfamiliar environments. This behavior keeps their minds active and engaged, enabling them to discover new hunting grounds or other food sources, find safe hiding spots, and identify potential threats.
5. They’re marking or defending their territory
Cats can spend a large portion of their time roaming to patrol the boundaries of their territory and ensure the area remains secure. They will top up urine spray marks to signal their ownership and attempt to see off any rivals they encounter. Territories can range in size from your backyard to several miles radius.
How to keep your cat close to home
Discouraging your feline companion from roaming can help ensure their safety and give you peace of mind. Read on to discover the actions you can take to reduce wandering, keep your kitty close to home and ensure their safe return if they do roam too far:
1. Neuter or spay
Neutering your pet can significantly reduce their urge to roam. Without the hormone-driven desire to find a mate, they’re likely to stick closer to home.
2. Provide your cat with enough food and water
Feeding your cat the best cat food will reduce the likelihood of them wandering off in search of more appetizing food in your neighbors’ homes. However, even well-fed cats have an innate urge to hunt, which can encourage them to roam in search of prey.
Offering four to six small meals at regular intervals throughout the day and delivering their food in best puzzle feeders rather than a bowl, will allow them to express predatory seeking behavior and ‘hunt’ for their food at home.
Some fussy felines will only drink moving water (cats instinctively know that stagnant water could be contaminated), so they'll wander to find a stream or dripping faucet. Providing them with the best pet water fountain will ensure they always have access to fresh running water.
3. Stick to a routine
Cats are creatures of habit. They thrive on stability and predictability. Maintaining consistent feeding, playtime and handling routines will help them to feel in control of their environment, reducing anxiety or frustration, which may trigger them to roam.
4. Encourage your cat’s natural instincts
Our feline friends have an innate need to climb and perch up high, scratch to stretch their bodies, mark their territory and keep their claws in tip-top condition, and engage in predatory behavior. Installing cat trees and wall shelving, providing plenty of scratching posts and mats, and scheduling regular interactive play sessions using wand toys will help to fulfil these needs at home and reduce their inclination to roam.
5. Create a safe and secure home environment
Ensure your kitty feels safe and secure at home by eliminating or minimizing stressors that may encourage them to seek refuge elsewhere. If a thunderstorm or fireworks display is predicted, provide cozy hiding places, close the drapes or blinds, put the television on or play calming classical music to distract from the loud noises, and consider using a pheromone plug-in diffuser (like this one from Amazon) to help reduce fear and anxiety.
6. Provide a safe, stimulating outdoor environment
Enclosing your yard with cat fencing or constructing a catio will allow your cat to exercise and satisfy their natural curiosity and desire to explore without roaming further afield.
Furnish their outdoor space with outdoor climbing trees and perches, create shady, sheltered resting spots and grow cat-safe plants. Get creative with outdoor enrichment – ball pits are just as much fun for cats as they are for kids! Hide treats and catnip toys among the balls to encourage your feline friend to engage in predatory seeking behavior.
7. Train a reliable recall
Teaching your cat to come when their name is called is one of the most valuable behaviors you can train. It will allow you to get them to check in with you regularly and encourage them to stay close to home. The key to success is using positive reinforcement, rewarding your kitty with the best cat treats every time they respond to your call. This ensures the prospect of returning to you is always appealing.
8. Make sure they’re microchipped
Whether your kitty is a homebody or an avid explorer, it’s essential to get them microchipped so they can quickly be identified and reunited with you if they ever roam and can’t find their way home.
How far away can a cat hear you calling?
Cats can hear sounds produced up to 3,000 feet away, approximately four to five times farther than humans.
If you’ve ever witnessed your feline friend seemingly appear from nowhere at the sound of a can opening or food packet rustling, it’s probably no surprise to learn that cats have exceptionally sharp hearing.
The shape of their ears helps to capture and amplify sounds and their ability to rotate them allows them to accurately pinpoint which direction a noise is coming from.
The distance from which a cat can hear you calling will vary depending on their individual level of auditory perception, the environment, and ambient noise levels. Research published in the Animal Cognition journal shows that cats can distinguish their caregiver’s voice from that of strangers.
They are particularly sensitive to the high-frequency vocalizations made by their prey, so may be more likely to hear and respond to you from a distance if you call using a high-pitched tone of voice.
Read next: How to make the transition from indoor to outdoor cat as smooth as possible
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
