A cat you've had for a month might come back if it gets lost, but the chances are slim. Most cats are indoor pets and rarely taken outside, so they're not familiar with their neighborhood. Also, cats are timid and sensitive animals; the outside world is noisy and full of distractions that can frighten them. When startled, cats are more likely to panic and run away, making them more prone to getting lost.
If your cat is lost, you can try some methods to find it, such as: opening the windows, leaving clean food and water in the house; asking at nearby pet stores and veterinary hospitals; checking surveillance footage from the area where the cat went missing; and posting missing cat notices in the neighborhood.
