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Why it's important to allow your cat to hide

  • Trust & Bonding

    Forcing a cat out of their hiding spot can damage trust and hinder your bond with them. Respecting their need for privacy and safety fosters a more positive relationship

  • Emotional Well-Being

    Cats hide when they feel stressed, scared, or overwhelmed. Allowing them to hide provides a sense of security and helps reduce their stress, contributing to their emotional well-being

  • Reduce Anxiety

    Allowing your cat to come out on their terms promotes confidence and reduces anxiety. Forcing them out can increase their anxiety, leading to more hiding in the future

"Hiding"

What to do if your cat is hiding

• Continue to keep and respect your cat’s safe space. This means continue to provide your cat with a room that includes your cat’s food, water, litter box, cardboard scratcher and cardboard box. We don’t want to change anything in this area while your cat is settling and we definitely don’t want to force them out of hiding.


• Reward your cat for socializing with the family. Even if your cat only joins you for a second, or shows signs of curiosity, reward that behavior. A reward could be a treat, playtime, soft speech, essentially anything your cat finds rewarding will work. Remember not to make any sudden movements, you want your cat to associate family time with rewards, quiet time and safety.


• Be patient. Changes won't happen overnight, but if you stay patient and work at your cat's speed you'll see improvements!