Cats are interesting creatures, and their owners are often confused by how they act. One of these habits is that they tend to hide when scared or in danger. This instinctive behavior has developed over time as a survival mechanism, allowing cats to locate a safe area to wait out danger until they feel it’s safe to come out again.
As a cat owner, you must learn to recognize this type of behavior as a sign that your cat is feeling fear or anxiety. Some cats only hide for a few hours, but others can stay hidden for days, making their owners concerned and worried.
In this article, we’ll talk about How Long Will A Cat Hide If Scared, what can affect how long they stay hidden, and how you can help your cat when it’s feeling scared or anxious.
How Long Will A Cat Hide If Scared
How long will a cat hide if scared varies from cat to cat and depends on several things? Most of the time, a cat will stay hidden until it feels safe again. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.
The length of time a cat stays hidden is affected by the following:
Reason for the fear
If your cat is afraid of something specific—a loud noise or the arrival of an unfamiliar pet to the household—they may just go into hiding for a day or two. If the cat’s nervousness or another chronic disease causes it to be fearful, though, it may hide for a long.
The personality of the cat
Naturally, some cats are more shy and cautious than others. As a result, these felines may take more time to come from hiding than other, more active felines.
Cat’s past experiences
Cats who have been abused or neglected in the past may have a greater tendency to go into hiding when they are scared.
Is It Normal For A Cat To Go Hide?
Although some cats are more outgoing than others, most tend to tight spaces. Cats can sleep soundly and peacefully all day in these warm, secure, and comfortable nooks. In addition, your cat will love a hiding spot from which it can watch the goings-on around the home in silence.
This is typical feline behavior, and once or twice a day, most cats will come out of hiding and let you give them lots of love.
But if your cat suddenly starts hiding all the time and won’t talk to you, something might be wrong.
Where Do Cats Hide When They’re Scared?
If your cat is scared and hiding, it is natural for you to feel concerned and scared. However, there are a few basic hiding spots that most scared cats prefer. These locations are rather close to your house, both inside and outside.
Cats typically take cover near their homes, either under a porch or car or in a thick shrub. You can find 70 to 80 percent of the world’s cat species within a half-mile range of their hiding place. In addition, a significant percentage of cats hide just outside their front door.
When a cat is sick, hurt, or afraid, its instinct is to flee into silence and hide. Even if a cat’s owner can’t find any signs of activity, such as meowing or scurrying, it doesn’t imply the cat isn’t still around. The lost cat might be hiding in a neighbor’s yard. A missing cat will likely return to its owner within a few weeks.
The most vital fact is that these cats will not meow. Any meowing will alert a hunter to their location. It makes no difference to the cat’s actions if it likes you, recognizes your voice, or can smell you. The key factor is that a cat would go into hiding and remain silent when it is afraid.
How To Lure A Cat Out Of Hiding?
You can try a few things if you have a cat that is hiding and you want it to come out. Here are some ways to get your cat to come out from hiding:
Provide a safe space.
When they feel scared or threatened, cats like to hide, so it’s important to give them a safe place to feel at ease. This could be a warm bed, a cardboard box, or a quiet room where they won’t be bothered.
Use treats
Cats love food, so luring them out of hiding with treats can be a good way to do it. Try putting some of their favorite treats near where they are hiding or on a path that leads out of where they are hiding.
Use a favorite toy
Cats also like to play, so using a favorite toy to get them out of hiding can be fun. For example, try dragging a toy on a string or throwing it in their direction to see if they’ll come out to play.
Use a calming scent
Cats are very sensitive to smells, and some smells can make them feel calm. Use a pheromone spray or diffuser near where they are hiding to make them feel more comfortable and at ease.
Have Patience
It’s important to remember that cats are independent animals who may need time and space to feel safe and comfortable. So don’t try to get them out of hiding or make sudden moves that might scare them. Instead, be patient and wait until they want to come out on their own.
How Long is Too Long?
It’s natural for cats to retreat indoors when they’re feeling nervous or worried, but you must keep an eye on them to ensure they aren’t hiding too long. Long periods of hiding by your cat could indicate a medical emergency.
You can tell if your cat has been hidden for too long by watching its behavior around food, water, and the litter box. Get veterinary attention if your cat stops eating, drinking, or using the litter box. In addition, you should rush to the vet if your cat appears unresponsive.
Your cat may have a health or behavioral problem if it hides excessively or behaves abnormally. But, again, consulting a veterinarian would be helpful here. They will be able to determine why your cat is hiding and work with you to create a treatment plan that will make your pet more at ease.
How to Prevent a Cat from Hiding in the Future
It’s often easier to keep your cat from getting scared than to get it out of hiding once it’s scared. In this situation, prevention is more effective than treatment. While it’s impossible to eliminate your cat’s fear completely, there are steps you can take to make a difference.
Make their surroundings safe and pleasant.
Ensure your cat has a safe place to sleep and relax when feeling stressed or scared. Give them places to hide, like beds with covers or cardboard boxes, and ensure food, water, and litter boxes are easy to get to. Surprisingly, giving your cat places to hide can stop it from hiding too much.
Set up a routine.
Cats like things to stay the same, so try to keep their daily routine as stable as possible. This includes the times they eat, play, and go to sleep. If you need to change the routine, expect your cat to act differently for a few days.
Use positive reinforcements
Give your cat treats and praise when it does something good. This will help your cat associate good things with certain things or situations. This will make it less likely that they will be scared. Always reward your cat when it stays calm in situations that normally scare it.
Get Your Cat Out More
You should slowly and safely introduce your cat to new people, animals, and places. This can help them feel more comfortable and sure of themselves in new places.
If the cat stays calm, follow this step with a positive reward. This will help them feel more at ease around things that could be scary. Of course, the best time to start socializing a cat is when it’s a kitten, but it’s never too late.
Provide both mental and physical stimulation.
Make sure your cat has access to toys, scratching posts, and other forms of mental and physical stimulation to keep them active. This can help them feel less stressed or worried and keep them from getting bored or antsy. Of course, some cats need more stimulation than others, so be ready to change the options depending on their needs.
FAQ
How Long To Keep New Cat In One Room?
It is best to keep your new cat in its safe room for at least three days to get used to its new surroundings. But it’s important to remember that every cat is different, and some may need more time to feel safe and comfortable in a new place. Nothing to worry about as long as the new cat eats, drinks, and regularly uses the litter box.
How Long Will A Scared Cat Hide Outside?
It’s hard to say exactly how long a scared cat will hide outside because it depends on many things, such as the cat’s personality and why it’s scared. Some cats hide for a few hours, while others hide for several days. It is important to give the cat space and time to feel safe and come out on its own.
Do cats come back after being scared?
Yes, scared cats can come back, but it depends on the cat and what scared them. Cats might hide for a while, but after a few days or weeks, they might return home. Providing a secure place and letting them return when they feel ready can be helpful.
Why Is My Cat Not Eating And Hiding?
A cat that doesn’t eat and hides may be stressed, sick, or have another health problem. If your cat has these signs, you should take them to the vet for a checkup to see if they have any health problems. Also, ensure your cat has a safe and comfortable place to live. This will help reduce stress and give your cat many chances to play and move around.
Conclusion
Cats naturally tend to hide when scared or nervous, but hiding too much or acting strangely may indicate a bigger problem.
Knowing How Long Will A Cat Hide If Scared You can help them feel safer and more confident in their surroundings. As a responsible cat owner, you should be patient, gentle, and understanding when working with a scared cat, and if you need to, you should get professional help.
Ultimately, your love and care can go a long way toward keeping your pet happy and healthy.
