How do I find my cat?

Question

My cat is old and I need to give him a bath every few months to keep his coat from getting dull and dirty. I started to look for him all over the house, in closets, under furniture, in the attic where our cats sometimes hang out, but I can't find him anywhere. My dad recently put away the groceries and he might have gotten out then, but I think he might be hiding in a hard to reach spot in the attic. I tried calling him and putting ice in his water dish, which he usually hears and comes running, but he didn't. Do you have any tips for searching?

Answer 1

Well tuna works if that's his favorite treat.  My kids would stay hidden for anything but their Gerbers Baby Food.

If he is getting on in years he just may not be able to hear as well as usual, so hidden and asleep in the back of the attic he just may not hear his ice cubes.

Or, do you have a pattern that you follow before searching for him when its bath time?  Is there a tone in your voice that he can pick up on?  My old cat used to have to get baths every now and again.  I would have to make them spur of the moment or else she would disappear for days.  She'd be sitting on my lap at the same time a movie ended and I would decide that then was the time to pick her up and lock her in the bath room where there could be no escape.

Escaping during the groceries entrance is really something to worry about only if its fits his personality.  I had one cat that would always bolt at the first sign of the great outdoors and adventure.  Then, I've had 4 other cats that would never think of leaving their food bowl and air conditioning.  

Good luck finding him and if it makes you feel better I have only ever had one cat that came when called.  She of course thought she was a dog.  

Put off the bath for now and give him time to nap himself out and come out on his own.  Hearing his name called in a panic is not going to make him come out any faster.  It may even make him dig in deeper... If he's even awake to hear it.