My New Cat Is Hiding And Not Eating

Hiding Makes Cats Feel Safe

My CAT is HIDING and Won’t COME OUT ð?± (Why and What to Do)

In the wild, cats hunt alone. They depend on stealth to survive not only to avoid enemies, but also to hide from prey they want to catch. Cats like warmth and small places help to retain their body heat. Smaller spaces that protect a cats back are also easier to defend. However, cats also always want an emergency exit. Thats why your cat loves that new basket you bought or the cardboard box you just unpacked.

Your Kitten May Have An Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper respiratory infections are not unusual in kittens and can cause decreased appetite due to nasal congestion, fever, or fatigue.

If your kitten has a stuffy nose, it will be harder for them to smell their food, and they may not eat as a result. If this happens, you may need to rely more heavily on wet foods, especially those that have strong aromas. If your kitten wont eat their usual wet food, try switching the flavor or texture to see if that helps.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your veterinarian:

Lots of sneezing
Runny eyes
Runny nose

While some infections are viral and may not need medication, antibiotics are sometimes needed to resolve an infection and help your kitten feel better.

Could Your Cat Be Getting Food From Elsewhere

Some cats are better at self-regulating their intake than others. While some will continue to eat any and all food offered to them, others will stop when they are full.

If you have an outdoor cat that isn’t eating, and you and your vet can’t find any other cause, it might be worth considering whether they are eating elsewhere. This is most likely if your cat is maintaining their weight despite their apparent reduced diet. You can try attaching a note to their collar asking people not to feed them or shutting them in for a few days and seeing if they regain their appetite.

Keeping Your Hiding Cat Safe

1Keep your cat in one room when you first bring it home. Your cat will have a harder time acclimating if its free to explore your entire home. Instead, keep it in your bedroom or a small, quiet room for at least the first two weeks after bringing it home.

The room should have a door that closes and should be free of foot traffic. Try to keep your cat away from other people or animals while it gets used to your home.

2Make dangerous hiding spots inaccessible. Keeping your cat in one room will reduce the likelihood that itll get trapped in dangerous hiding spots, but you should still take the time to cat-proof its room. Make sure HVAC ducts are secure, choose a space that doesnt have a fireplace, and make sure it cant knock over any furniture or objects.XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source

Try to keep your drawers closed, keep it away from appliances like washers or dryers, and keep your closet door closed if you want to keep it off limits.

3Let your cat out of its room at night once it becomes acclimated. Once your cat is comfortable with coming out to explore its room, you can start introducing it to the rest of your home. Since cats are nocturnal, start by leaving the door to its room open at night. If its back in its room in the morning, close the door to avoid overwhelming it.XResearch source

How Long Does It Take A Cat To Adjust To New Home

You need to let them feel comfortable within the privacy of their home for longer periods of time so that they feel safe as they begin to interact in their home. If you have a cat that is new to your home, a couple of days typically pass before they are comfortable with it. However, your cats personality or the environment he or she likes play a role as well.

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Your Cat May Be Experiencing Stress Anxiety Or Depression

Cats have emotions too, and there can be several emotional or behavioral causes of loss of appetite.

Losing a beloved family member, whether animal or human, can cause some cats to stop eating due to anxiety or depression.

Stress or anxiety can also be caused by changes in the home environment. These changes may seem insignificant, but they can cause a lot of stress for cats, which can cause your cat not to eat.

Such changes include:

What Do You Feed A Cat That Refuses To Eat

You must make the food more palatable if your cat refuses to eat the food. Below are a few options that you can try out if your feline friend refuses to eat.

Canned wet food in seafood varieties. Look out for options that stink more seafood to lure your furball.

Try providing some meat baby food.

Make their food more appealing by adding water from the tuna can.

You can try adding some warm, low sodium chicken broth to your cats food. This can be added to dry kibble as well as canned food. It would help if you always tried to avoid broths that contain onion, garlic, or chives, as these can pose a health risk for your cat.

Try microwaving your cats food or add warm water to it. Make sure it is not too hot that it burns your four-legged friends tongue.

Make your cats food more delicious by adding some grated parmesan on her food. Your cat is bound to get attracted to the salty and cheesy flavor.

Try serving some treats that your cat loves.

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What Is Your Cat Saying When He Hisses

Hissing is simply an expression of emotion Im upset, I feel threatened, Im uncomfortable, or Im scared. Whether your cat is hissing at veterinary staff or a newcomer to the household, your cat is feeling vulnerable, threatened, or insecure. If you try to correct or punish your cat for hissing, you will only make a bad or scary situation worse, and make your cat more upset.

Do Cats Know When Another Cat Is Dying

Help! My New Cat is Scared of Me!!

There is no way to be certain about how a cat feels or what they think. However, in my over 20 years in the veterinary field, I would assert that cats often know something is amiss with a housemate. Cats dont understand the concept of death, but they are very attuned to changes. A dying housemate may be perceived as a threat and it is common for healthy cats to attack sick ones.

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Is Your Cat Drinking A Normal Amount

Cats dont tend to drink much, so a reduction in drinking can be hard to spot. However, an increase in drinking is a common sign of an underlying health problem like diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism . You might also notice your cat urinating more than usual due to their increased thirst.

If you aren’t sure if your cat is drinking a normal amount of water, you can measure the amount they drink from their bowl. However, if you suspect that they’re drinking more and they’re not eating, getting them to the vet without delay is usually the best course of action. Your vet might suggest testing a blood sample and urine sample to check for some of the conditions mentioned.

How Do I Get My New Cat To Come Out Of Hiding

Cat hiding under a bed.

To stop your cat from hiding you need to be patient, first and full most. But, if you have given it ample time and still nothing, you need to understand the root of the anxiety. Could your cat be fearful of another pet you have? A loud baby? Find out what it is and address that issue to get it out of hiding.

A new cat has every right to be wary of your new environment. But, if this goes on for longer than reasonable you need to look into what could be scaring it. And, hopefully, this has given you some ideas.

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What Happens During The Euthanasia Process

Euthanasia appointments should always be scheduled beforehand so that your cat does not have to wait to be seen. Once at the vets office, paperwork will be signed and typically the cat will be given a sedative. An intravenous catheter will be placed to allow for medication to be given into the cats vein. When the owners are ready, the euthanasia drug will be administered. The euthanasia solution will cause the cat to become unconscious by inducing general anesthesia. In a matter of minutes, the drug will stop the cats heart. The cat will not feel any pain or distress during the euthanasia. You might want to speak to your veterinarian about what to expect so that you are prepared for what you will see.

Hiding Behavior In Cats

Trying to eat sushi in front of my cat....not my brightest idea : aww

There are several reasons cats hide, and most cats include hiding as a normal, healthy activity in their repertoire of feline behaviors. First, cats are both predators and prey in the wild they are instinctually driven to hide and conceal themselves when they are sneaking up on a prospective prey item, and avoiding being prey for other predators . They are excellent survivalists and hiding is a key tool for finding food and staying alive! Second, hiding in the home can be a stress-reducing, relaxing thing to do. Many locations are warm, dark, and safe-feeling. A good hiding spot can be a welcome refuge from a noisy family or the pesky dog. And what cat doesnt love a private nook in which to relax and take an uninterrupted cat-nap? Third, cats may hide when they are ill or not feeling well. If your cat all of a sudden decides to start hiding for long periods of time or changes her hiding behavior, you will want to make a trip to the veterinarian to make sure everything is ok.

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Does Your Cat Have A Snuffly Nose Or Discharge From The Eye

Cats suffering from cat flu and other upper respiratory problems will sometimes stop eating. Symptoms like runny eyes, a runny nose, and sniffly, noisy breathing are often present. Cat flu is more common in cats with a compromised immune system or those who are unvaccinated.

Its thought that these cats stop eating partly because they are congested and cant smell their food properly you can try warming wet food in the microwave or feeding them smelly fish like tuna or sardines to see if this helps them eat. If not, its time to call the vet, as cat flu is not just a bad cold, and they might require treatment!

Do Cats Know They Are Dying

Again, it is impossible to know what cats perceive and what they understand. Many pet owners assume cats must know they are dying because many hide in the days or hours before death. Cats likely do not have any concept of death or dying and likely do not identify their illness as such. However, cats are masters of hiding how they feel and as a defense mechanism will fail to show signs of illness for as long as possible. Hiding is typical behavior of all sick animals who need to make themselves as inconspicuous as they can to avoid becoming a target of predation.

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Older Cats Not Eating

Older cats often have pain with their joints and are limited in mobility. A raised food bowl can be just the trick to getting a senior cat to eat more. This works well with senior cats or cats with limited mobility.

Now if your older cat is not eating but drinking water, that may be a sign of dental issues and teeth pain a common issue with older cats. Try switching to a softer, easier to eat cat food!

Is Your Cat Lethargic Or Grumpier Than Usual

The Cat Raised by a Mouse

If your cats behaviour has changed, something more serious might be going on. Cats who are ill will often hide away, and they may become more aggressive, lashing out if they are moved or disturbed. This may also be a sign of pain, fever, or infection. If your cat has stopped eating and is sleeping more than usual, this is a worrying sign too.

If this sounds like your cat, a vet visit is the best option. Be careful when moving your cat to their carrier, as they may lash out with their teeth or claws if they are uncomfortable.

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Give Your Cat A Safe Space

Its not uncommon for cats to be fearful of visitors or changes in their environments or routines. Fear in cats is often marked by prey behavior, which includes running away and hiding.

Dilara G. Parry, a certified cat behavior consultant, says safe spaces are an easy way for the owner to make sure that the hiding thats taking place is healthy and safe.

A sturdy cardboard box, turned on its side with a nice blanket placed inside, can be an alluring hiding space that is safe, Parry says.

Milani adds that cutting a cat-sized hole in an upside-down cardboard box is another great DIY safe space because the cat can face the opening and know nothing is coming up behind her.

What To Do When The New Kitten Is Not Eating

Here are a few things that might help a little kitten with their lack of appetite:

Try different kitten food flavours and textures.
Warm the food to body temperature to make it more enticing for the kitten this is especially important if the food has been kept in the fridge.
Change the food bowl and make sure its wide, shallow, and if possible, ceramic or glass.
Thoroughly clean the kitten dish with soap and water.
Change the location of the food bowl to a quiet area.
Keep children and pets away from the kitten at dinner time.

Cats tend to graze feed, little and often, so leaving a little dry food down in the day is a good idea, so they can nibble when they feel like it.
Make sure your kitten is not suffering from an illness. Contact the vet for a check-up and advice on how to get the new kitten eating again.

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Why Is My Cat Hiding And Not Eating 6 Common Reasons

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Cats are one of the most adorable pets with their unique characteristics and actions that are so adorable. One such cute action is when your cat starts playing hide and seek. However, a question that might arise in your mind while your cat hides is why is my cat hiding and not eating?

Cats hide and stop eating due to stress, anxiety, or fear. A sudden change in their routine or habitat will also cause them to hide. This may often lead to a lack of appetite.

So, lets discuss why your cat is hiding and several other things related to it, which you must be aware of.

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Reasons Why Your Cat Is Not Eating

Alycia Washington is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with nearly a decade of experience as a small animal emergency veterinarian. She currently works as a relief veterinarian for various emergency and specialty hospitals. Dr. Washington recognizes the importance of education and also works as a freelance veterinary writer.

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

A cat that suddenly decides to stop eating is often a sign of a more serious problem. It’s not usually because a cat just doesn’t want a certain treat anymore. If your cat isn’t eating and has skipped several meals, or gone a few days without food, you should take action. There may be things you can do at home to help your cat regain its appetite, but sometimes veterinary intervention is necessary.

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What Does The Process Look Like After Putting Your Cat To Sleep

After your pet has passed, you should feel free to take all the time you need in saying goodbye. Following the euthanasia procedure and when you are ready, your cats body will be prepared according to your wishes for either home burial, pet cemetery burial, or cremation. Decisions and arrangements for after-life care should be decided upon and arranged prior to euthanasia to avoid having to make decisions following your pets passing.

The Position Of The Cat Bowl

The food bowls place and position can affect your cat not eating as well. Cats have a strong sense of smell and maybe your current placement of the bowl is off-putting in some way.

Some cats also dont want to tilt their head too far down to eat. Try using an elevated or raised bowl to put the food on their level.

Alternatively, the floor may have something that is stressing them out.

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When Hiding Means Your Cat Needs Confidence

If a cat is hiding for a perceived threat that is a social situation or even just part of your daily routine, that is when its important to step in and practice confidence building exercises. Why? Because you want your cat to feel confident and part of the space theyre living in, and if something isnt a threat and will be recurring, its better for your cat to get used to it than to get in their own routine of hiding.

Another incidence is when you bring a new cat home. Even positive moves are so stressful for cats. Its important you interact with a new cat in the first few days, so you can build a bond before you introduce them to the rest of your residence or even other cats. This will be extremely difficult if the cat spends its time hiding.