As much as I hate it when one of our cats runs and hides, I also understand that it’s important for them to feel in control of their safety and protect themselves.
Photo courtesy denisko.
Often this means finding a dark, quiet place where they feel the fear factor can’t get to them. That said, sometimes they find new places to hide, or they end up in hiding spots that make it nearly impossible for you to retrieve them. If this happens to you, don’t worry. Here are a few common hiding place suggestions, plus a few more ideas if you still can’t find your cat.
If you’re looking for your CH cat, first search all of the “regular” spots first. If you still can’t find her, try searching in these places:
- Under, behind and even inside furniture, large appliances and standing structures
- The back of a closet or on a closet’s shelves
- In a drawer
- In a laundry basket
- Behind the drapes
- Behind an open door
- In or on top of cupboards (don’t only consider kitchen cupboards but also bathroom vanities, etc.)
- Under the bedspread/in a boxspring/behind pillows
- In an open appliance (like an empty dryer – remember to always be careful with leaving your appliances open!)
- In open boxes or luggage
If you still can’t find your cat, don’t panic. If you’re sure she hasn’t escaped, odds are she’ll come eventually. You can encourage her to come out in a few ways.
Sometimes a cat’s stomach has more power over her than her fear. Fill her food bowl with kibble, open a fresh can of cat food and walk around your home shaking a bag of treats. If you listen closely, your cat may give herself away for the sake of her tummy.
Photo courtesy illpig.
If those don’t entice your cat, try walking around with something especially delicious smelling – like a sprig of catnip or a fresh can of tuna. Even if you don’t feed it to her, the smell may draw her out.
Lastly, if none of those attempts work, just wait patiently. Once the fear-causing factor is no longer present, your cat will likely come out. You can also try to entice out her by calling her in a soothing voice.
One word to the wise: Don’t try to force your cat out of her hiding spot. This may terrify her even more, and she may injure you in the process.
Every so often, your cat may be so scared that she won’t come out for hours, or even a few days. If this is the case, her food bowl and litter pan will alert you to if she’s coming out when you’re not around. Scoop the litter pan so it’s clean – any new deposits will tell you that she’s come out (if you have multiple cats, perhaps put a litter pan in the room she’s hiding and close the door). Also check her food bowl to see if the kibble is going down or if the wet food disappears.
Sooner or later your cat will come out; often it’s just a matter of being considerate to her fears and waiting patiently.
Does your cat often hide in a spot not listed above? Please share in the comments below! Please also share how you entice your cats out of their hiding spots!
