Cats can usually feel scared and shy when they adjust to a new environment or when they are surrounded by strangers. In most cases, they try to hide or run away very soon. Terrifying behavior in cats can occur for a variety of reasons. The inadequacy of the various stimuli and traumatizing that occur in kitten hoods during their lives can teach them to react fearfully to people or new situations. Do you know among many strange things cats are also afraid of balloons, amusing right !!!
When cats are scared, they behave in strange ways. One of the notable ones is hiding in the blink of an eye. A scared cat will hide as long as it is frightened. If you want it to stop hiding, leave it alone, It will eventually come out of hiding. Because cats are not only curious but also adept at sniffing at others.
Not only do cats hide when they are scared, but they also like to hide when they are sick and injured. Today I have found for you the key to the locked box of secrets as to why they have this tendency to hide again and again and how we can drive it out of the cat. So let’s dive in to know all the things about a scared hidden cat.
Hiding Demeanour in Cats
There are a number of reasons why cats go into hiding, and most cats include this habit of hiding as a normal, healthy activity.
- First, cats are both wild predators and prey – when they jump on a potential prey they significantly manage to hide and conceal themselves and avoid being preyed upon by other predators. They are great for survival and hiding is a key tool for them to find food and stay alive.
- Second, hiding at home can be a stress-relieving and relaxing thing for them. There are many places where cats feel warm, dark, and safe. A good hiding place can be a good shelter from noisy families or anxious dogs. And are there any cats that don’t like a private place where they can relax and take an uninterrupted rest ? I don’t think so.
- Third, cats can hide when they are sick or not feeling well. If your cat suddenly starts hiding for a long time or changes its hiding behavior, you should consult a veterinarian to make sure everything is great.
Should You Get worried if your cat hides?
This tendency to hide is a normal characteristic of being a cat, hiding can become excessive and cause anxiety. In addition to interfering with your cat’s daily activities, including eating, drinking, and urinating.
If you notice that your cat has not been able to get out of its hiding place for a day or two, and has not even come out of its hiding place to eat, you can take it to the vet. Even if your cat is eating and using the litter box, hiding can indicate other problems. Behavioral issues should not be ignored in any way.
For example, if another animal is harassing your cat, this may also be a reason why your pet is hiding. In this case, you need to provide resources in multiple places and limit interaction with the bully cat, so that your pet cat can get what it needs without fear. It should have playtime and enrichment activities that prevent boredom and relieve stress.
The more you know and observe how often and where your cat is hiding, the stronger your relationship with the cat will be. If your cat understands that you are observing his behavior cautiously, then you will be fine with him. Any change in your cat’s regular behavior can be a cause for concern and the desire to hide can also be a factor.
As mentioned above, cats will hide if they are not feeling well or are sick. This may be a defensive survival tendency, as animals considered weak in the wild are easy prey for predators. Your cat may stay hidden if it doesn’t feel good, cats are also great at hiding their pain. So when it comes to the fact that they are hiding themselves instead of their pain, you must consider showing your pet feline friend to a veterinarian as a high priority.
Where Do Scared Cats Hide?
It is normal for you to be upset and anxious if your cat hides in fear. Most frightened cats have been found to like to hide in some very common places. Most of these places are somewhere near the inside and outside of your home.
Cats usually hide under a porch, car, in a heavy bush, or other things near their home. In fact, 75 percent of cat species are found within an area of 500 meters from their escape point. Eighteen percent hide directly outside the entrance to their home.
The behavior of sick, injured, or scared cats is that they will hide in silence. Just because a cat owner doesn’t see or hear their cat doesn’t mean it’s not there. The lost cat may be hiding in a neighbor’s yard. If it is not found, the cat will probably return to your home in a few weeks.
Most critically, these cats will not meow. Meowing will reveal their hiding place to a hunter. Whether the cat loves you, recognizes your voice or can smell you has nothing to do with their behavior. It has all to do with the fact that a scared cat will hide silently. So just because you can’t see or hear your cat doesn’t mean it’s not too close to home.
How to get a scared cat out of hiding?
If the cat has just arrived at your home and is not familiar with the surrounding environment, your cat can often get scared. In this situation, our first attempt is to get the cat out of its hiding place in the shortest possible time. Although it’s a characteristic of them to hide when they are scared, it is very easy to get a scared cat out of hiding from within by adopting certain methods.
One of the most successful methods is to always show love and attention to your new cat, talk softly and move slowly around it. Food can be used as a very important bonding tool. Encourage your pet cat to play with interactive toys and let him explore his comfort zone at his pace.
Patience and understanding with frightened cats are also essential. They will give you lots of love and meows in return.
Tips to get a scared cat out of hiding
The question that naturally comes to the minds of those who keep cats is how to get a scared cat out of hiding? The following methods will show you that applying them would get most cats out of their hiding places very quickly.
- Show Great love and attention on your new cat. Regardless of your cat’s history, your care is now an important matter. Gain your animal’s trust with daily care, playtime, and cheerful routine
- Always speak softly and walk gently around the cat. Avoid looking at it as often as you can, as they may think it as a threat. It helps to get down to the level of a cat while talking to him instead of relying on them. Never pressure the cat to communicate, if he wants to hide you should let him do it. If you put pressure on it, the tendency of these behaviors will increase.
- Turning on the TV or radio at home can be helpful. It exposes them to the sound of normal household chores and can serve as a peaceful word for any horrible noises coming from other parts of the house. Also, leave the carrier or box that he came out of the house with a towel or blanket in the room. It can be a great hiding place and it will already smell like a cat area, which gives comfort to a scared cat.
- At first, if the cat is too scared to spend time at home then talking, singing, or reading aloud would make them accustomed to being in your place. The goal is to spend as much time at home as possible, just making a huge difference for a timid cat to be there.
- Food can be used as a marvelous bonding tool. Spend time at home offering wet food or treats to your new feline friend. This will help the cat build a positive relationship between you and the food. Try using a special scented brand of wet cat food or traditional cat food, it may take some time to determine what your cat likes. You can also try things like very high-priced meals, lunch meats, and baby meals.
- Never force cats to pull out of their hiding place or hold it. This will increase their fear and may even lead to bites or scratches. Your pet will come to you whenever it’s ready. When your cat constantly comes into your space, either tempted or by himself, you can gently caress its face and cheeks.
- Encourage play with interactive toys but make sure the toy you are using is not big and scary. Some cats are very motivated to play and regular sessions help bring them out of the shell. You can try play sessions simultaneously with food, some cats respond more to toys than to food. If the cat is scared of toys, take a step back and just work on the food and introduce the toys later.
- After your cat gets full access to the house, remove utensils, litter boxes, toys, and bedding to a permanent place. If your cat gets scared again and goes back to its room, you may want to leave a litter box in the “safe room” for a while to make sure your pet has access to a litter box.
- Leave the door of the secluded room open so that your cat can hide if it wants to, but encourage your cat to be part of the family. Give it time to learn what it takes to adjust in a new home, especially for a scared cat. Remember to feed, clean the lotter box and maintain the same reliable schedule.
To Wrap Up
If your cat is scared and wants to hide, let it do so. When your pet will no longer be afraid, it will come out on its own. Your only job is to be patient with the cat and try to understand it by paying attention to its behavior.