I got a new cat from the Humane Society Friday - I've already had 2 situations - 15 hours each where the cat hid to where I couldn't find it..

I was worried sick and I couldn't find the animal.

what can I do? someone suggested putting it in one room, what size room - bathroom? bedroom? I limited it to the upstairs, but obviously that was too much space for it..

Don't blast me, I didn't know.

Best Hello Kitty Answer - Chosen by Asker
Hi there,

How old is he? Don't lock him in any room. He's hiding because he's stressed out, being in a quiet, dark space makes him feel safe and comfortable. Cats actually prefer the dark because it is easier on their highly sensitive eyes. Remember just because you can't see in the dark, he can see perfectly fine, in fact better then you can by far.

Cats are animals who need their space, they like to rome and investigate all the nooks and corners of your house. Give him the space to get comfortable with his surroundings and acclimated to the new smells and sounds.

Make sure he knows where his food, water and litterbox is at all times and just be patient. I would also suggest getting him a cat tree/perch, cats love them because they can sit up high and watch whats going on below them, they have something to scratch and mark as theirs.

When I brought my first cat home two years ago, he was three months old. We never locked him in any room, we made sure he knew where the litterbox was, he always had food and water and wasn't left alone for more then three hours at a time. Whenever we got home, he was right there waiting for us at the door, or sound asleep on the couch. (cats sleep for around 16-18 hours a day). To this day he occasionally climbs up into our storage room and sleeps back there and scares the hell out of me when I can't find him. I just grab a bag of treats and shake it and he comes running though, so get some feline greenies or some other treat and occasionally feed them to the cat, make a point of shaking the bag every time you give them to him, that way when you want to find him all you have to do is shake the treats and he'll come running.

It may take a week or so, but just step back and give him the space he needs to get used to you. Remember that cats recognize and associate almost everything by smell and every smell he ever knew is gone and replaced by new ones. (thats like someone kidnapping you or me and taking us to lets say Fiji and putting us in a new house with people we don't know) it would be scary and stressful and confusing. Cats love dark spaces, my cats LOVE going under my bed and sleeping down there, its just in their nature.

Try not to worry about him ok, he will come out when he's hungry, thirsty or needs the litterbox and if he see's you respecting his need for space he will soon warm up to you. Pet him gently and scratch him at the base of his tail when he lets you to help create a bond between you. Trust me when I say though, that forcing him out (dragging him from his hiding space) will only upset and frighten him more, cats like to do things on their own terms and not on anyone elses.

Hope this helps

Good luck and blessings

14 hours ago

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