Do you have Master cat who sometimes doesn't  appear when needed? I
have found this works. ..For me too

cheese goodies

1 oz marg or butter.....3 oz flour....2 oz crumbled cheese..2 egg
whites...seasoning...enough water or milk to bind mixture

place by teaspoon on greased baking dish. Oven set at 325 until
browned. Place more cheese on tops when done, if Cat would approve.
Wave dish in air. They will appear in their own time, you realize. Put
on the coffee or tea. Tell them you are quite willing to share this
with them.

you know that chewed up piece of paper you found in the front hall? It
was that creature...the dog. Cat would NEVER do that.Cats disappear
when bad things happen. They have perfect hiding places. Scoped out
long before,,They obviously have the house plan.Guilty cats have "cute"
down to a fine art. Dogs are always aware of their next meal. Therefore
the wanting to please..and the tail wag. Dogs do not need privacy.
Scratching their ears, no matter what they're doing, pleases them.
Reading, writing, sleeping, any time is the right one. Cats, on the
other hand, insist you respect their time alone. After all, there are
certain matters to attend to. maybe a significant other that needs
calling. Now..if I could only tap into their secret....