When you’re involved in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts for community cats, you’ll quickly discover that some felines are more easily trapped than others. Some cats are naturally wary of traps, while others seem to be experts at stealing bait without setting off the mechanism. If you’re facing challenges trying to catch a particularly clever cat, don’t get discouraged! With the right approach and a little patience, you can successfully trap even the most cautious cats. Here are 18 proven tips to help you catch a cat effectively and humanely.
How to Catch a Cat: 18 Expert Tips
1. Familiarize Cats with the Trap
For cats that are hesitant to enter traps, making the trap a familiar part of their feeding routine can significantly reduce their suspicion. For a week or two before you plan to trap, place unset traps in their usual feeding spots and feed them inside or near the traps. Begin by placing food just at the entrance and gradually move it further inside each day, eventually placing it at the back of the trap. This helps them associate the trap with food and safety, rather than danger.
2. Opt for a Larger Trap Size
Cats can feel vulnerable and confined in small spaces. If you’re dealing with a trap-shy cat, consider using a larger trap. A bigger trap with a taller opening and wider dimensions can appear less intimidating and more inviting. The increased space can alleviate their anxiety about entering an enclosed area.
3. Create a Sense of Security by Covering the Trap
Adding a cover to the trap can make it seem more appealing to a cat. Drape a dark towel or cloth over the trap, ensuring you don’t block the entrance or interfere with the door mechanism. This covering creates a darker, more secluded space that mimics a natural hiding spot, making the trap feel safer and more secure for the cat to enter.
4. Elevate the Bait with Enticing Scents
Sometimes, standard cat food isn’t enough to entice a wary cat. To pique their interest, try using a more alluring and aromatic bait. Consider something exceptionally smelly and tasty that they don’t encounter regularly. Options like jarred baby food (meat flavors), canned mackerel, or cooked chicken can be incredibly effective. These strong scents can overcome their hesitation and draw them into the trap.
5. Lay Down a Tempting Food Trail
To guide cautious cats into the trap, create a trail of small, irresistible food morsels leading to and inside the trap. Start with tiny pieces at the entrance and gradually increase the size as you move closer to the trigger plate and beyond. Be careful not to use too much food for the trail; you want the cat to be hungry enough to reach the main bait inside the trap and trigger it. Alternatively, you can use the flavorful broth from canned cat food or meat as a scent trail to guide them.
6. Relocate the Trap to a Calmer Setting
The environment around the trap can significantly impact a cat’s willingness to enter. If the trap is in a busy or exposed area, try moving it to a quieter, more sheltered location. A secluded spot where the cat feels safer and less vulnerable can increase your chances of success. The fewer people and disturbances around, the better.
7. Observe and Learn Cat Habits
Understanding a cat’s routine and habits is key to successful trapping. Just like humans, cats have preferred paths and routines. Observe the community cats you’re trying to trap to identify their regular trails and patterns. Notice where they like to sleep, such as under a specific bush or tree, and what times of day they are most active in certain areas. Setting up traps in these frequented locations and during their active times can greatly improve your trapping outcomes.
8. Utilize Distraction and Lures
Creative distraction techniques can sometimes work wonders for trapping clever cats. A laser pointer, controlled from a distance, can be used to guide a cat towards and into a trap. Another trick is to hang a piece of cooked chicken or another enticing treat from a string directly above the trigger plate. As the cat reaches for the dangling bait, they are more likely to step firmly onto the trigger and spring the trap.
9. Camouflage the Trap with Natural Elements
Blending the trap into its surroundings can make it less suspicious to wary cats. Try camouflaging the trap using natural materials like burlap. Cover the top and sides of the trap, and even the floor inside, with leaves, small branches, palm fronds, or whatever natural elements are present in the environment. Ensure your camouflage doesn’t interfere with the trap door’s closing mechanism. Always perform a test run to confirm the trap functions correctly with the disguise before setting it up for real.
10. Conceal the Trigger Plate
Some cats are surprisingly adept at recognizing the trigger plate and learning how to avoid it. To outsmart these clever felines, try concealing the trigger plate. Cover the plate, and a small area of the trap floor both in front of and behind it, with a thin layer of newspaper or cloth.
Another effective method is to cut a piece of cardboard slightly narrower than the trap’s width and a few inches longer than the trigger plate. Securely duct tape the cardboard to the middle of the trigger plate and loosely to the trap floor. This makes it harder for the cat to step around the trigger, increasing the likelihood of a successful trap.
11. Implement a Stick Barrier
For cats that have learned to step lightly to avoid triggering traps, a stick can be a simple yet effective solution. Slide a stick through the side holes of the trap, positioning it just in front of the trigger plate and a few inches above the trap floor. This creates a small barrier that forces the cat to step over it. As the cat steps over the stick, their paw is more likely to land firmly on the trigger plate just beyond it, effectively springing the trap.
12. Manually Trigger a Box Trap
In situations where a particularly cunning cat is evading standard trap mechanisms, manual triggering can be a reliable approach. Prop the box trap door open using a stick or a full water bottle attached with a string. Ensure you have enough string to move a few feet away and hold the end. When the cat enters the trap and is in position, pull the string to manually release the door and close the trap. This method gives you direct control over the trapping moment.
13. Consider Using a Drop Trap
When a standard box trap proves ineffective, a drop trap can be a valuable alternative. A drop trap is essentially a large mesh box that is propped up and manually triggered using a rope or string. Ensure you set the drop trap on level ground and ideally have a partner to assist, as their size can make them challenging to handle alone. Prop the trap up with a wooden stick or a full water bottle tied with string, leaving enough string to allow you to hide at a distance.
Bait the drop trap generously to accommodate potential non-target cats that may enter before your intended target. Wait patiently until your target cat is fully inside before triggering the trap. Avoid springing the trap if other cats are present and can witness the trapping, as this may deter your target cat. Once you’ve trapped the desired cat, immediately cover the drop trap with a sheet and prepare a box trap for transfer. Transferring the cat to a box trap simplifies handling and transportation.
NOTE: Drop traps are not recommended for novice trappers. Experience is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the cats when using this type of trap.
14. Confine the Cat in a Limited Space
Trapping becomes significantly easier when you can guide the cat into a smaller, enclosed area rather than trying to trap them in open spaces. Lure the cat with food into a confined space like a garage or shed that you can quickly close off. Before you lure the cat inside, prepare the room.
Clear the space of any potential hiding spots, except for one. Lean a single large board against a wall to create a designated hiding area. Set up a box trap and conceal it behind this board. Once the cat is inside the confined space, it will naturally seek the nearest hiding place. Since you’ve limited the options, it’s likely to dart behind the board and potentially right into the hidden trap.
15. Position Traps Side-by-Side
If you notice a hard-to-trap cat circling around the back of the trap instead of entering, use this behavior to your advantage. Place two box traps right next to each other, with their entrances facing in opposite directions. When the cat circles around one trap, it may inadvertently walk directly into the trap set up beside it. This strategy doubles your chances by capitalizing on their circling behavior.
16. Leverage Mother Cat Instincts with Kittens
Kittens can be incredibly powerful bait for trapping elusive mother cats. If you can safely trap her kittens first, place them in a carrier or another box trap. Position the kittens’ carrier or trap with its door facing the back end of the trap you intend to use for the mother cat.
Cover everything, except the entrance of the mother cat’s trap, with a dark sheet or towel. The mother cat will perceive her kittens through a dark tunnel and is highly likely to enter the trap to reach them. If the weather is cold, ensure the kittens are kept warm by lining their carrier or trap with a towel and placing hot water bottles underneath.
17. Employ High-Tech Kitten Sounds
In situations where a shy kitten or a mother cat is reluctant to enter a trap, your cellphone can become a valuable trapping tool. Find a video or recording of kittens meowing and play it on your phone. Place the phone near the back of your box trap or drop trap. Curious or lonely kittens may be drawn to the sound, thinking other kittens are inside the trap. Similarly, a mother cat may recognize the cries of kittens and enter the trap to investigate and protect them.
18. Take a Break and Reset
Sometimes, persistence needs to be balanced with patience. If you’ve been trying to trap a particular cat without success, and unless the cat requires immediate medical attention, it can be beneficial to take a break from trapping for a week or two. This break gives both you and the cat a chance to de-stress. After the pause, resume your trapping efforts. Often, a fresh start can make a difference, and you’ll likely find renewed success. Remember, patience and persistence are key – you will eventually catch the cat!
What Not to Do When Trapping
It’s crucial to prioritize safety and ethical practices during trapping. Even when frustration mounts from unsuccessful trapping attempts, never resort to unsafe or harmful techniques.
DO NOT use trapping equipment that is not specifically designed for cats. Using inappropriate traps can cause serious injury or even death to a cat. Always use humane traps made for cats.
DO NOT attempt to catch a cat with your bare hands. Even seemingly friendly cats can panic when grabbed, and may scratch or bite in self-defense. You also risk injuring the cat if it struggles to escape your grasp.
DO NOT withhold food for more than 48 hours before trapping. Depriving a cat of food for extended periods is dangerous to their health. Limit food withholding to a maximum of 48 hours before trapping.
DO NOT withhold water. Withholding water is not only ineffective for trapping but also harmful to a cat’s health and well-being. Always ensure cats have access to water, especially in warm weather.
DO NOT give up! Trapping can be challenging, but with patience, persistence, and clever strategies, you will be able to catch the cat and help them through TNR.
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Alley Cat Allies, founded in 1990, is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of all cats. With over 1.5 million supporters, they work globally to promote humane and effective programs and policies for cats.
Through advocacy, education, and outreach, Alley Cat Allies equips communities with non-lethal, evidence-based approaches to cat management. Their website, www.alleycat.org, offers extensive resources on TNR and community cat care. They are also active on social media platforms including Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Charlene Pedrolie is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Alley Cat Allies.
