Why Is My New Cat Hiding?

You just brought your newly adopted cat home, and they immediately darted under your bed, peering out at their new surroundings with saucer-like eyes. It’s a stark contrast to the super-affectionate, relaxed kitty you met at the shelter. What happened? Why is your new cat hiding from you? Read on to learn about the specific reasons behind this behavior, and discover tips to help your new kitty relax and become more sociable.

Why is my new cat hiding?

Don’t freak out — it’s nothing personal and totally normal. Your new cat may be hiding due to fear of the new environment, unfamiliar scents, or the presence of other pets. It’s common for cats to hide initially, as they acclimate to their surroundings. Providing a quiet, comfortable space and gradually introducing them to different areas of your home can help them feel more secure. Here are four reasons your cat may be hiding:

1. They have issues adjusting to a new home 

“Any time a cat’s environment changes, they won’t know if that change is a good thing or a threat,” says Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat-behavior consultant and founder of Class Act Cats. “Hiding allows the cat to get more time to evaluate exactly what’s happening and, if the change isn’t a good one, remain safe until the threat passes.”

This is a normal response to being in a new location and, in most cases, not a reflection of how your cat will act forever.

2. They fear another pet in the home 

The presence of another pet in the home, such as another cat or a dog, can trigger feelings of insecurity, prompting the new cat to seek refuge until they feel more confident in their surroundings. Additionally, if the resident pet displays aggression or dominance towards the newcomer, the new cat may retreat to avoid confrontation and minimize potential conflict.

It’s important to note that you should not simply plop your new cat down in front of your existing cat or dog and hope for the best. Introducing animals should be a slow, gradual process. For cats, this can take weeks or months, Lusvardi says. Start by learning how to properly introduce cats to each other. 

3. They fear people in the home 

Your new cat might feel threatened by other occupants in your home — or even you. After all, you may have only met your cat once or twice at the shelter or foster home. Your cat may retreat to a secluded spot to avoid interaction with unfamiliar individuals until they feel more secure around you and other members of your household. 

4. The home environment is stressful

Bringing a new cat into a stressful environment, such as a noisy or chaotic household, can significantly impact a new cat’s behavior. Things like screaming kids, barking dogs, loud music, loud verbal exchanges, and construction can cause stress and unease in cats, prompting them to seek hiding spots where they feel protected from perceived threats.

In such environments, new cats may be more prone to prolonged hiding as they struggle to cope with the overwhelming stimuli around them.

How long will a new cat keep hiding?

A new cat may hide for a only few hours or up to several months. “The amount of time a cat spends hiding when they are first adopted depends on their personality, their history, and the new environment they’re brought into,” Lusvardi says. “For the average cat, it’s not unusual for them to hide right as they’re brought home, and then on and off for a few days or even a week or two after.”

As time passes and the cat becomes more acclimated to their environment, they should gradually hide less. However, Lusvardi adds, particularly fearful cats or those introduced to stressful surroundings may continue to hide for extended periods of time, only emerging for essential activities like eating or using the litter box.

If your cat shows no signs of improvement in their hiding behavior over two weeks, seek assistance from your veterinarian or a certified cat-behavior consultant. They can help identify possible underlying issues and provide guidance on how to address them effectively.

Read this related article on Kinship

Has Your Cat Suddenly Started Hiding?

Here are four more reasons your cat might be MIA.

How to get a cat to come out of hiding

Your cat may have felt happy and at ease in the shelter or their foster home, but they’ve likely experienced a whirlwind of events since then. After being confined to a cat carrier and enduring a car trip, they now find themself in a totally alien universe filled with strange sights, sounds, and smells. Here’s what you can do to help your cat adjust and come out of hiding.

Start with a safe room 

If possible, keep your cat isolated in one room upon arrival. This room should be a safe place for them to decompress and adjust to how your house sounds and smells. Wait until they seem more relaxed in the isolation room and show interest in exploring beyond the door, before letting them roam more of the house. 

If possible, gradually expand their territory by closing off other rooms at first. If your cat seems overwhelmed at any point in this process, backtrack and put them back in their “safe” room again. 

Let them hide

While you might be tempted to try to pull your cat out of their hiding place, it’s best to let them hide.

“Your cat will feel safer in hiding than they will if they are forced out of hiding,” Lusvardi says. “By letting them remain in hiding, their stress will gradually reduce until they choose to come out on their own.”

Attempting to pull your cat out from a hiding spot will exacerbate their stress levels, ultimately making them stay in hiding longer, Lusvardi notes. You’ll also probably get a few scratches.

Help them get used to you

Whether your new cat is hiding under your bed or in a closet, sit quietly in the room with them while engaging in a calm activity, such as reading a book or working on your laptop. Don’t try to pet or play with them — what’s most important is your presence, your scent, and allowing your cat to gradually acclimate to your company. The goal is to reassure your cat that you are a safe, calm, and trustworthy presence in their new environment.

Teach them to associate you with good things

If your new cat likes wet food or cat treats, push some into their hiding place a few times a day and sit nearby as they eat it. This can help them form positive associations with your presence. 

Try natural remedies

If your new cat is particularly anxious or struggling to adjust, consider incorporating holistic, herbal liquid remedies into their routine. Adding a few drops of Rescue Remedy or a similar product to your cat’s water or food can provide gentle, soothing support during this transitional period. 

Install Feliway plug-ins

A Feliway pheromone plug-in (or spray) is another helpful product to consider. Feliway uses synthetic pheromones that mimic those naturally produced by cats, helping to create a sense of security and familiarity in their environment.

Countless cat parents and shelters have used Feliway for its ability to provide comfort and reduce stress during times of transition or anxiety.

Minimize stressors

You can minimize potential stressors for your new cat by establishing and maintaining a daily routine. This includes consistent feeding, playtime, and litter-box cleaning, ensuring predictability and stability in their environment.

Additionally, aim to reduce loud noises or sudden disruptions whenever possible. These can be particularly unsettling for cats adjusting to a new home. Creating a calm atmosphere will help your cat feel more secure and relaxed as they acclimate to their surroundings. 

Tips to help your new cat feel comfortable

Now that you know the basics of how to help your nervous Nellie, here are some extra pointers to make your new kitty feel more at home.

• Provide elevated perches: Cats feel safer when they have a vantage point from which they can survey their surroundings. Installing cat trees, shelves, or window perches allows them to retreat to elevated positions where they can observe their environment while feeling secure.

• Add familiar scents: Introduce familiar scents into your home by placing bedding or blankets from your cat’s previous environment into their new living space. The smell can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity, easing their transition to the new surroundings. 

• Provide hideaways in common areas: Create hiding spots in common areas of the house, such as the living room or kitchen. This could include cardboard boxes, covered cat beds, or even access to cabinets. Having places they can retreat to if they get scared or overwhelmed can help them feel more secure while stepping out of their comfort zone.

• Offer high-value treats: Use high-value treats, such as freeze-dried chicken breast or Churu lickable purée, to positively reinforce desired behaviors like coming out of hiding or approaching you for interaction. This will teach them to associate these positive behaviors with good things, making them likely to repeat the behavior.

• Avoid scolding: Maintain a calm, patient demeanor when interacting with your new cat, even if they continue to hide or display fearful behaviors. Getting upset or scolding them will increase their stress levels, hinder their progress in adjusting to their new home, and potentially sour your relationship with them.

Commonly asked questions 

How to make your home cat-friendly? 

Creating a cat-friendly home can help your cat acclimate to their new environment faster. This involves providing cozy sleeping areas, hiding spots, scratching posts, and elevated perches. Offer access to clean litter boxes in quiet, easily accessible locations. And place their food bowls far away from their litter boxes.  See this complete new-cat checklist.

What to expect on the first day with a new cat? 

On the first day with your new cat, you can anticipate them to be cautious and possibly hide as they adjust to their new surroundings. Allow them to explore at their own pace and engage with you on their terms. 

What are some common cat hiding spots?

Common hiding spots for cats include under beds, behind or under furniture, and inside closets or cabinets. Cats may also hide in elevated spaces, such as shelves or high cabinets, or in dark, enclosed areas, such as drawers or laundry baskets.

What are some signs your new cat is adjusting? 

Signs that your cat is adjusting to their new home include reduced hiding behavior, gradual exploration of their environment, and increased confidence, curiosity, and affection. A healthy appetite, regular grooming, and playful behavior are also positive indicators.

References 

Decoding Your Cat

Evaluation of the Addition of In-Cage Hiding Structures and Toys and Timing of Administration of Behavioral Assessments with Newly Relinquished Shelter Cats

Hiding Behavior (Cats)

Hiding Places Mean Happier Cats 

How to Help a Fearful Cat in a New Home