Cats are very active and curious creatures. But they do not always like attention, sometimes they prefer quiet secluded places where you can be alone. Every cat hides from time to time. But what if your cat is constantly hiding and running away from you?
How Long Can a Cat Hide in the House?
Cats are masters of stealth. Have you ever wondered why your cat hides under a bag, closet, sofa, or washing machine? Hide and seek can be part of the feline game, but sometimes it can also mean that your feline friend is not feeling well, or adjusting to a major change, such as a move, illness, or pregnancy.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons for this feline behavior and find out how cats should hide.
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Is it Normal For a Cat to Hide?
While some cats are brave and others are timid, almost all cats have a natural penchant for confined quarters and small spaces. While a cat snoozes the day away, these warm places provide security, comfort, and warmth. Even better is a hiding location where your cat may sneakily watch household activities. The nicest location of all is one that is just out of your grasp!
This is common feline behavior, and most cats will come out of hiding once or twice a day to receive attention from you. Also keep in mind that when you are asleep at night, your cat can be wandering the home.
However, if your cat starts hiding often and stops interacting with you, there could be a problem.
Why Do Cats Hide? 5 Main Reasons
Why is My Scared Cat Hiding? Cats prefer regularity and typically struggle with change. As a result, if anything unexpected or frightful happens, they could become frightened and run away until they feel secure.
It is an entirely normal activity that serves as both a survival tactic and a coping mechanism under challenging circumstances.
Cats are covered for a variety of reasons, such as:
- the need to protect yourself from danger
- pursuit of prey
- sick or injured cat
- pregnancy and birth of kittens
- loud noises (such as a vacuum cleaner or drill)
- guests in the house
- new pet in the house
- another cat is chasing the house
- new house or a new environment
- just from the vet
- newly adopted cat.
New Cat Hiding
It’s very common for a new kitty to hide when she first enters your home. A scared cat needs some time to adjust to the new environment.
Remember, moving to a new home with new owners is a lot of stress for a cat, especially if you have other animals.
Set aside a safe place in advance where your new cat will easily get used to the new environment. It is advisable to initially place the cat separately from the rest of the house, for example, in the guest bedroom.
Check on your new kitty throughout the day. And before integrating the cat into the house, give him the opportunity to independently explore the space for a day or two. Gradually, they will get used to it and soon they will have full control over your house! Read on for more tips on taking your new cat home.
Cat Hiding After Moving Houses
Your cat may experience extreme stress if your family moves into a new house.
Make sure your cat has ID tags, is microchipped, and is wearing a GPS monitoring collar before moving day. Put your cat in a pet carrier and move him or her safely. Keep your indoor cat in the closed pet carrier once you’ve moved in to prevent a hasty exit via the front door during the chaos of the move-in day.
Choose an empty room to serve as a hiding spot for your indoor cat after the movers leave. Set up an open carrier, your cat’s bed, a litter box, and your cat’s fresh food and water bowls in the same room. close the door or block the entrance with a children’s gate. Give your companion kitten a couple of visits throughout the day.
Don’t leave the door open, please! While your cat is scared, he may run outside and get lost. What to do if your cat is lost – you can ask Missing Animal Response Network here.
As your cat gets used to the sounds and smells of their new home, they will gradually become more relaxed. If your cat has a GPS tracker, even in the worst case if your cat jumps out the door and ends up in your new area, you will always know where your lost cat is and can find it.
Сat Hiding Due To Illness
When they are hurt or ill, cats frequently look for hiding places. This conduct comes naturally. An animal that is ill or injured in the wild becomes an easy prey for predators. Your cat is acting defensively by hiding.
Sometimes a cat can hide for a few days and not even go out for food. This is not good. If your cat avoids eye contact, hides, and refuses to play or interact, this could be a sign of illness or injury. Take your feline friend to the vet for a checkup if they show this habit of hiding for a few days.
Pregnant Cat Hiding
It is likely that an unneutered cat that suddenly runs away from you will give birth to small meowing kittens. A pregnant mother cat will choose a pleasant hiding place to give birth a few days before the birth. She can find a hiding spot under the sofa, in the closet, or under the bed.
The desire to hide is critical to survival, as pregnant females in the wild are more likely to be attacked by predators. To prevent the new mother from having to leave her kittens for the first few days, place a litter box, water, and wet food nearby.
Cat Hiding Due To Environmental Changes
Your cat may become anxious at the slightest alteration in their cat’s environment, leading them to look for a secure location. For instance, when you have a home guest, it’s common for your indoor cat to hide. This unusual person may smell like a dog, for instance, which might make your cat nervous. It’s okay if your cat runs away from a guest; when the danger has passed, your cat will reappear as if nothing had occurred.
Your cat may go to its favorite hiding place if a new resident moves in, such as a newborn baby or a new roommate. Your cat will eventually resume their normal activities once it becomes apparent that this new human is here to stay. Give your cat and new human time to get to know each other.
As your cat looks for protection and security, other interruptions like a change in your work schedule, a vacation, a cat-sitter, or other pets in the house can also cause hiding behavior.
If your cat suddenly starts hiding due to changes in your home or routine, don’t rush your cat! Give the cat time and try to provide him with his own space and a safe environment. It is perfectly normal for a scared cat to hide for a few hours.
How Long Can a Cat Hide in the House? 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Every cat owner is faced with the fact that his furry friend is hiding. And everyone has a lot of questions:
- How long will a cat hide?
- When will my cat come out of hiding?
- How to get a cat out of hiding?
- How to find a hiding cat?
- How long will a cat hide if he is scared?
Below we will answer the most common of these questions.
How Long Will A Scared Cat Hide?
How long will a scared cat hide? It primarily depends on the cat’s personality. A worried cat will remain hidden until it feels safe again. If indoor cats are frightened on the outside, cats may hide from several hours to several days, and possibly a few weeks (in this case, you should try to find your missing cat as soon as possible).
This will be determined by the personality of the hiding cat and the origin of the fear. Many cats can often hide for one to five hours when they are not too scared, and one to seven days when they are scared.
Is It Normal For A Cat To Hide All Day?
A newly acquired cat may hide until it feels safe. In this case, it is absolutely normal if a new kitty hides all day and even more. If your house cat suddenly starts to hide, try to determine why. He might be frightened by loud noises, other cats, or another change.
Maybe your cat is generally sociable, but when guests arrive, she pulls away and hides. In this case, she will hide until they leave. If you have a shy cat, it is desirable that he has his own escape route and a safe hiding space – this can be a house, a cat tower, or a cat bed in a room where guests will not enter. It is desirable to put a litter tray, food, and water there. This will keep your cat safe until the guests leave.
How Long Can A Cat Hide Without Food And Water?
With access to water, a typical stray cat can potentially go one to two weeks without food. It depends on her health. But without food and water, a kitty t is unlikely to last more than three days.
How Long Will It Take For A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding?
It depends on the reason why your cat hid. Your cat will come out of hiding an hour or two after the guest leaves if he has been a source of concern. If your indoor cat is in hiding because of a move, it may be days or even weeks before she feels safe enough to boldly explore her new surroundings. If the kitty is hiding because of a lot of loud noise or loud music, it will most likely come out of hiding when the noise stops.
How Do You Find A Cat That Is Hiding In Your House?
Most cats hide in familiar places where they feel safe. When indoor cats hide in the house, it’s usually not too hard to find them. They love small enclosed spaces – under beds, in closets, in cardboard boxes, on cat towers, etc. To find your pet faster, use the following methods:
- if he was scared, try to eliminate the cause of stress
- try calling him by his name
- use his favorite yummy treats (if he gets hungry he will most likely go out for his favorite food)
- use fresh catnip
- if you have a new kitten – give him time.
If you have outdoor cats, it is advisable to purchase GPS collars for them. This way you will always know where your furry friend is.
The most difficult situation is when indoor cats run outside. Finding missing cats is not easy. In this case, be sure to check the settlers, in most cases the lost cats are in someone else’s house.
Should I Worry When My Cat Hides?
In most cases, you have nothing to worry about. Hiding is a common activity for cats, they resort to it when they feel danger. This serves as their survival strategy. All you have to do is strive to create a peaceful predictable environment and eliminate the threat whenever possible.
But when cats not only hide but also act casually, it can be a sign that they are sick or injured. Cats are known for hiding the suffering of their owners and other animals. Again, this is a survival strategy because they tend to hide when they are sick because they are weak. Unfortunately, this is where hiding becomes a problem.
Sick or injured cats must come out of hiding to get the help they need. Depending on what is wrong, their health may deteriorate and may become life-threatening. As a result, if you think your feline friend is sick, try to lure her out of hiding and take her to the vet.
Cat Hiding Behavior – Final Thoughts
We have come to the end of our article. I hope that the information was useful to you and now it will be easier for you to understand the reasons for your cat’s behavior.
Cats love to hide, moreover, they need it, because it is inherent in their nature. So that you do not have such a problem as “How to get my cat out of hiding”, I advise you to make sure that your furry has his own hiding place.
Great options for indoor cats are cat beds, cat trees with indoor sleeping areas, and even window perches. If you have an outdoor cat, a cat house is ideal. When your pet has his personal space, it will be easier for you to find him and get your cat out of hiding.
Both indoor cats and outdoor cats sometimes hide. Over time, you will learn the behavior of your pet, and it will become easier for you to find it. If you have your own stories and experiences of finding your hidden cats, please share them in the comments.
Hello! My name is Julia and I am a true cat lover!
From early childhood, cats have always been a part of my life and members of my family. I can’t imagine my life without cats! And now I am a happy owner of three wonderful cats. On my website, I will share my experience of life with cats. Here you will find articles about cat behavior, care, and reviews of the best gadgets and furniture for cats. I hope my site will be useful to you!