How to Set Up Your Cat Trap for Maximum Success

If you set up the trap properly, you are much more likely to catch your cat!  So, take the time to do it right. 

Cat Trapping Supplies Needed

Be aware that anything you place on or in the trap may be destroyed by your cat or wild animals trying to escape.  Raccoons will pull towels into the trap while trying to escape and skunks will try to dig their way out.  So don’t use anything you would be upset to throw away.

• A good quality cat trap (see Finding a Trap)
• Bait for the trap (see Baiting the Trap)
• Small bowl or plate for the bait.  Don’t just use the can because this may have sharp edges.  The bowl needs to fit behind the trip plate.  If it touches the trip plate or goes underneath it, then the trap may not close.  A piece of cardboard or folded paper plate also works well.  I don’t recommend placing the bait directly on the ground under the trap.  If you have to move the trap, the food and/or food scent will still be present at the old location. 
• Medium to large towel or small blanket to place over the trap.  Dark colors are better so the trap is less visible.  This will be used to cover the top and sides of the trap, while leaving the front and back open.
• A scent article such as a t-shirt or socks to place on top of the trap.  These are most useful if they contain the scent of a person whom the cat is closely bonded.
• A tarp or unscented, large trash bag if rain is possible or if it is cold and windy. 
• Something to place on the wires inside the trap.  Some cats are hesitant to walk on the wire floor of the trap.  Options include: newspaper, cardboard, rug fragment, small towel or puppy pee pad.  Natural materials such as dirt, moss or dried grass can also work.  Don’t use anything that will make noise when walked on or blow in the wind such as dried leaves.  If using newspaper, use several sheets, folded and taped together. 
• A method to monitor the trap (see Surveillance).
• Cable lock or chain.  If you are trapping in your own backyard, this may not be necessary.  However, if you are trapping anywhere that someone may disturb the trap, I highly recommend securing the trap somehow.
• A lost cat sign or flyer.  Place a note or flyer near the trap stating that you are trapping your lost cat and a phone number to contact you.  If rain is possible, put this in a plastic bag or page protector.

Setting a Humane Cat Trap

Follow these steps for the most effective trap set up. 

1. Once you have picked your location, make sure that the trap is (at least relatively) level and does not wobble.  If it moves around when they step inside, this may scare your cat.  It also increases the chance that the trap will accidentally close.
2. Line the bottom of the trap with your selected material so your cat does not have to walk on the wire.  Make sure that this does not interfere with the closing of the door or the triggering of the trip plate.  If using something soft like a small towel or puppy pee pad, this liner can extend onto the trip plate.  However, if you are using cardboard or a stiff carpet fragment, make sure that this does not touch the trip plate.  If it does, this could cause the trap door to shut prematurely and your cat to escape or be injured. 
3. Optional: place a dirty t-shirt or sock on top of the trap.  This should belong to someone whom your cat has a strong bond.
4. If it might rain, cover the top and sides of the trap with a tarp or heavy, unscented trash bag.  Do not cover the back of the trap.  If it is cold and windy out, you may even want to snug the tarp under the trap, so it won’t blow in the wind.  However, if the trap trigger rod is outside the trap, make sure not to make it too tight as this will prevent the trap from going off.  Make sure to cover this with a blanket or towel (see below).  This will help prevent loud noise from the rain or wind on the tarp, which might scare your cat.
5. Cover the top and sides of the trap with a towel or small blanket (dark colors blend in better).  Do not cover the back of the trap.  Also make sure that the back side of the trap is not pushed up against a wall.  Some cats are more comfortable entering a trap if it looks like a tunnel that they can walk through and less like an enclosed space.  Covering the trap will also make your cat panic less when captured.  (Note: if you are using a Havahart Easy-Set Trap you won’t be able to fully cover the trap.  Only place the tarp and towel behind the top handle.)
6. If the trap has a rear sliding door, make sure that it is secure and cannot accidentally open.  A carabiner clip may be used for extra security.
7. Use a cable lock or chain to secure the trap and prevent theft. 
8. Place a note or lost cat flyer nearby or attached to the trap.  Example: “Trapping lost cat.  Please do not disturb.  For more information call (your phone number).”  Put inside a page protector or plastic bag if rain is possible.  This may prevent some well-intentioned person from seeing a cat in the trap and releasing it.
9. Bait the trap (see Baiting the Trap)
10. Test the trap once or twice to make sure that it is working properly.

Up Next - Baiting a Humane Cat Trap

Learn how to bait a humane cat trap or return to the Indoor Cat Trapping Menu.