Cats are sometimes very fearful, usually when they are in an unfamiliar environment or when someone or something new enters theirs and is in their eyes a potential danger.
In this case, attracting a hiding cat can be very difficult, as it is driven by fear. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can attract him and take away his fear.
How to attract a hiding cat? Understand the causes
A cat hides out of fear usually because they perceive potential danger in their surroundings. A change is generally the first cause of fear in the cat, a very routine and territorial animal.
Often the fears are unfounded, like a new smell or a new person or animal in the home. Noise is also very unpleasant to them, they often leave a room when a noise appears, even if they cause it.
Some cats, especially those that were weaned too early , will naturally be more fearful of potential dangers in their eyes. Those who have not been sufficiently socialized after weaning will also be.
Solutions that are easy to implement
I will give you here all the tips to attract your cat easily and make him want to come out of his hiding place.
The food
Cats love to eat and if you hand him a food he loves then he will come out of hiding to smell it and then eat it. You can use meat, fish, or cat food that you know your cat won’t resist.
You can also make a little noise with his food bowl so he understands that you are filling it.
Finally, if he does not decide to go out, put the food on a plate and leave it until he touches it. But let him eat easily because if you throw yourself on him, he will get scared and won’t trust you anymore.
If your cat is not hungry, catnip will be more appealing to her.
Use animal sounds that will attract her
Your cat has a natural predatory instinct, even if it lives in an apartment. This is also why he was also a player during his youth, honing his skills as a hunter. So if you use your smartphone to broadcast bird or rodent sounds, his curiosity and instinct will naturally attract him. Cat noises will also arouse his curiosity and allow him to come out of his hole.
Take out his favorite toys
Cats, especially when they are young, love to play and in addition it allows them to put themselves in a situation of predators and no longer of potential prey, which pushes them to hide. He will thus change his state of mind and above all will be too excited to stay in his hideout.
There is no shortage of cat toys and you can wave in front of him the one he likes the most. If hiding is a regular thing, then get him toys like vibrating fish or mazes that will stimulate his hunting instincts every day and make him feel more secure.
Make room for calm
Cats like calm and if the environment is noisy, they will feel even less safe. Be as calm as possible and he will gradually start to come out of his corner. Preferably, leave the room so that he is entirely alone. He will regain possession of the room gradually.
Calm is an anti-stress for the cat.
Talk to him
By talking to him gently and calmly, he will gradually forget his fear and will feel more and more confident. Gradually, he will become more and more calm and forget his fears. This method is the best when it comes to a very young kitten that you have just adopted because he needs to feel confident.
Use pheromones
Cats have a very developed sense of smell and certain pheromones for cats can calm them down naturally and help them control their fear and get out of hiding. You can choose from online.
Gently initiate contact with the newcomer
If the cat is hiding because of a new animal, accustom it to its presence by using pheromones on both animals or by playing with both at the same time and with equal treatment so that they begin to s ‘tame.
Vet: The Last Resort
Unfortunately, in some cases, your cat may be sick or injured and won’t come out of hiding. If nothing helps, grab it and take it to the vet so that it gets treatment in time and is put out of harm’s way.
What you should not do
Use the force
Avoid at all costs to force him out because your relationship with him will necessarily be degraded and he will be even more fearful afterwards. There is also no need to scream, except to break his ears and reinforce his fear.
Repellents
Also avoid spreading odors that he does not like to get him out because the consequences will be the same.
How long can a cat stay hidden?
If you don’t attract your hiding cat, it can stay hidden for very long hours until it feels safe again.
- If he is startled by a slight noise: He can hide for up to an hour. The noise simply surprised him and he prefers to make sure that calm is restored before returning.
- If surprised by a loud noise: He can hide for up to 5 hours. The danger seems to him potentially very dangerous and he will make sure that there is no more danger before returning.
- If a new animal or inhabitant has joined the household : It can remain hidden for one to two days. The acclimatization time can be long, especially in cats that have been adopted from a shelter.
- If it’s a stray cat: It can stay up to 7 days in its hiding place. Stray cats have a highly developed survival instinct and will take maximum precautions in the face of danger.
What if my cat hides outside?
This scenario can be more complicated because you cannot know where it will go. Especially since it can hide anywhere (trees, bushes, abandoned cars…). But the principle remains the same, by putting food, toys, pheromones… in front of your house, it will never stay far away.
To find it, don’t forget that there are easy location solutions such as a GPS collar that lets you know where it is in real time, because cats can hide anywhere, a tree, bushes, porches, cars….
Attracting a hiding cat: The final word
To get a cat out of its hiding place, the hard way will never be effective and you will always have to use elements of confidence to get it out on its own. In case of refusal on his part to all your attempts, take him to the veterinarian because he may have a pathology.