How Long Will A Scared Cat Hide?

If you are a cat owner, you will notice that one of the more unusual behaviors that they display is hiding when they are fearful. This will often happen if a cat is feeling unsure, upset, or afraid.

​This is very normal behavior for our feline friends, but it can be an issue when it feels as though they’ve been hiding for a long time, or out of doors. 

If you want to know more about the reasons that cats hide, and how long they remain in hiding, as well as some tips to get them to re-emerge again, take a look below, as we explore the topic.

How Long Will My Cat Stay In Hiding?

This is a good question, and has much to do with the individual nature of the cat. Some cats who are hardier and more boisterous, may not stay in hiding for very long at all.

Cats who are more reserved and shy, on the other hand, may remain in hiding for extended periods of time. There are also some other factors to do with the environment that come into play. Some of these factors include: 

• Whether or not they are hiding from predators
• If they are either sick or have been injured
• Trauma experienced after a visit to the veterinary clinic
• Feeling like they are trapped
• Afraid of a stranger of somebody unfamiliar
• Uncomfortable after moving to a new environment or house

The reasons why they are in hiding vary, but they all come down to the fact that your cat is experiencing distress. They might continue to hide for a long time, and refuse to engage in any kind of play due to traumatic experiences.

Until they are once again able to feel completely comfortable in their environment, the hiding will persist. For example, if you have recently relocated to a new home, the cat might be wary of its new surroundings.

​With time, however, they will gradually become more accustomed to their new environment, and come out of their hiding spot. 

If your cat has only been frightened by something very minor, like a loud noise perhaps, then they likely won’t choose to remain in hiding for very long.

​Where Do Scared Cats Tend To Hide?

Perhaps your cat has been frightened by something and now they’ve gone into hiding, but you aren’t able to find them. There are some key places to look if you suspect that this might have happened. The places that cats tend to hide are those that are safe from any visits from unwelcome predators. These are usually spots inside your house, so that the threat can’t get to them. 

Sometimes, cats can actually decide to hide outdoors as well. This is what usually happens if you’ve recently relocated, and the cat is weary of the unfamiliar surroundings of the new home.

​Don’t worry if this has happened to you though. Cats have an inbuilt homing instinct, so if they’ve temporarily run away, they will return. In addition to this, they don’t tend to find hiding places that are very far away from you either. 

Some outdoor places that cats tend to take refuge in include:

• Under porches and decks 
• High up in trees or tall bushes
• In neighbors gardens, either in garages or sheds
• On the roofs of buildings

Some things that you can do to help take care of your cat when they are in hiding, is to make sure to leave food and water for them on your porch, so that they do not become dehydrated.

How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Hiding? 

There is no immediate rush to get your cat to stop hiding. The best solution is to simply wait it out, and leave some food and water like we mentioned above. Hiding is a natural response for a cat, so it is best to leave them to it until they feel safe again. 

There is one instance, however, where you should prevent your cat from hiding. This is if you have an indoor cat, and it has decided to venture out of doors, where it is now hiding.

​This could be a potentially dangerous situation for your cat, because they have not adapted to being in the outside world. There are some ways to get your cat to emerge again that we’ve listed below.
 

• Use Catnip - This is probably one of the most effective ways to get your cat to stop hiding. Catnip is a herb that cats are attracted to. The composition of catnip has chemicals that affect the neurotransmitters in a cat's brain, making them feel happy. You can leave the catnip in a bowl outside, or sprinkle it in a trail that leads them to your front doors. If you can see your cat, holding it in your hand will help. 
• Use Food - This is another good idea for attracting your cat back home. Leave some of their favorite treats or meals outside of their hiding spot, and this will hopefully cause them to come out of hiding when they are feeling hungry. Eventually this will lure them back to you, as their food source. 
• Use Toys - Maybe your cat has a favorite toy that they’ve been missing whilst they were hiding? You could use this and attempt to engage in play with your feline friend. Toys which have noises like jingling are great for when your cat is hiding in a high up place. 

​Final Thoughts

If your cat is in hiding, fear not, they will eventually return once they’ve had some time to cool off. If you’re trying to get your indoor cat to return to you, follow some of the steps above to speed up the process.