My cat hides when I leave. Is she stressed or just seeking solitude?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 11 lbs
When I leave the house, my cat starts to hide and comes out of hiding when I get back?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 19th, 2016
Your cat may be stressed when alone or may simply seek solitude. You can try reducing her stress by purchasing a Feliway diffuser and placing it in a room where she spends the most time.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 27th, 2017
It is definitely possible that your kitty is stressed out after his adventure, but it would be a good idea to have a vet look him over to check for wounds you may have missed or pain/discomfort that could be causing him to hide. If none of these are found, there are some over-the-counter products to help with anxiety in cats that are available. These include pheremone diffusers made by"Feliway", and oral supplements such as Zylkene or Composure for cats. These are available online and in some pet stores or veterinary offices.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I recently moved. My cat got out of carrier and was missing for a few days now he acts like he doesn't know me and hides in house. What can I do? I'm frantic.
He is probably just really stressed. It is best if you leave him alone, don't force him to interact or you may traumatize him more. Be sure he has access to food, water and litter box that is close to him. Be sure the house is as quiet as possible. Get him some Feliway diffusers for the new house and a calming supplement called Zylkene. Both of those things should de-stress him. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=117324 https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=115875
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why would a normally social cat start hiding in closets?
Stress can cause cats to hide or act abnormally. For example if you had house guests or got a new pet this could stress your cat out. However medical issues can also cause cats to hide. Cats may hide if they are feeling bad. I would keep a very close eye on your cats appetite, water intake, BMs, and urine if your cat is hiding. If you notice anything that is not normal I would take your cat in for a thorough exam and some basic bloodwork. Older cats can be prone to things like diabetes, renal disease, and hyperthyriodism. These can be fairly well managed with meds once daignosed. If your cat is a male, keep a very close eye on the litter box and be sure he is urinating ok. Male cats can get thier urethra blocked and become unable to urinate. This is an emergency and can be fatal very quickly if left untreated. If it turns out to be just stress I reccomend trying a product called Feliway. Feliway mimcks the phermone produced by mother cats and has a calming effect on cats. Feliway shoul
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
why does my cat meow an try to fight me whenI come home, especially from a trip?
It sounds as though your cat is acting out after being left at the house alone. It is not uncommon for cats to become stressed when anything in their environment changes, such as a departure from the normal routine with their human. I would recommend trying some Feliaway diffusers in your house to see if that can help relieve some of your cat’s anxiety. If her anxiety is very severe, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication for her long-term or just while you were out of town. I hope this helps. Thanks for the Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a cat that seems to dislike interaction with my family and I. He tends to run away when we get near him and he can normally be found hiding under a bed. Is this normal for cats? He is never aggressive (Never hisses, bites, or scratches). He d
It sounds like Garfunkle is a cat who may be a bit wary of people or be more of a loner. This is not uncommon in cats, and I know many cat owners who say their family/friends don't believe they have a cat because the cat is always hiding. Some cats just have a personality where they do not enjoy interacting with lots of people! Just like human introverts! You can, however, try some anxiety relieving products just to see if there is a difference in your cat's behavior. I would consider getting an Adaptil diffuser (this is a pheremone producing plug-in) which you can get at many vet offices or online. I would also consider the supplement Zylkene or Composure. These are also available online.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How do you know if your cat has separation anxiety
True separation anxiety is not horribly common in cats. But the signs would that your cat shows distress when left alone or separated from you (or other people she's attached to). You might be self-inflicted trauma, excessive vocalization, urinated or defecating inappropriate places, lack of appetite, withdraw, over grooming or (less commonly) destructive behaviors. She might be hyper focused on you when you are around or vocalize/follow you when you prepare to go. It's important to check for a medical reason for any of the symptoms you're seeing (for example, if there are litter box issues, it could be separation anxiety, or could be related to illness or cystitis or many other causes). Generally, videotaping what she does when you're not home is helpful in diagnosis, and then a full blood panel (CBC, blood chemistry, urinalysis, fecal test) and exam to check for medical issues. I hope that gives you some idea about if your kitty is effected and how to proceed! Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Bengal cat got out Friday night and was out for a good 5 hours atleast, he seemed fine just scared when he came home and I couldn't find any bumps, cuts or pain on him. He has hidden,under my bed, for the past 5 days only coming out to eat and go
It is definitely possible that your kitty is stressed out after his adventure, but it would be a good idea to have a vet look him over to check for wounds you may have missed or pain/discomfort that could be causing him to hide. If none of these are found, there are some over-the-counter products to help with anxiety in cats that are available. These include pheremone diffusers made by"Feliway", and oral supplements such as Zylkene or Composure for cats. These are available online and in some pet stores or veterinary offices.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is isolating herself. She normally hangs out in the living room with the other cats and myself and my husband. But lately she's been staying in the back bedroom away from everyone up in her cat tree. She's usually extremely social but won't ac
That's my isolate themselves if sick, anxious or stressed, or do to aggression or bad interactions with the other pets. If stress or inter-cat relationships are to cause having food and litter boxes in multiple rooms may help. Feliway pheromone diffusers can also help. If unsure it may be helpful to isolate her yourself in another room to see if dynamics change and also to check her eating, drinking and litter box habits of you are unsure if that is all normal. And/or possibly a vet visit for Jelly Bean to ensure she is not ill. Good luck. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Hi my cats name is Olive and he is 2 years old. I was wondering if it’s normal for my cat to cry when I leave. He craves for attention and loves me petting him
That can be normal, but can also be a sign of separation anxiety! Cats, just like dogs, can become very anxious when away from their favorite people. I'm including an article about separation anxiety that may help! https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/separation-anxiety-1/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten who is seven months old I think might have separation anxiety disorder. I read up about that symptoms and here's some. Excessive scratching, meowing and grooming and eating too fast and is very clingy and purrs a lot. This all started afte
It's possible Spirit may feel a bit anxious when you're gone. Cats can become clingy and exhibit the behaviors listed when they are feeling anxious. A good first step is always to schedule a vet checkup and rule out any possibility of illness that may be causing these behaviors as well. That said, if Spirit checks out healthy, there are a few things you can do to help. When you leave the house, playing a soothing talk show on TV or on the radio can help, as well as placing pheromone diffusers/calming collars on spirit to help her relax. You can also get her more used to you leaving by only leaving for a few minutes, then coming back. Make sure to not make a big deal out of the event when leaving, so she doesn't anticipate it and start to become anxious. A good play session to get her tired out before you leave can also help reduce anxiety as she'll likely just want to sleep while you're away. If the issue continues, or worsens, talking with a veterinary behaviorist may help as they
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my roomate moved out with his cat. Since then my cat has been crying and stratching at the new room mates door. How can i stop her from doing this? Before covid 19 i use to go away most weekends, after the pandemic is over and i can go out aga
I recommend you put some Feliway diffusers in your house and do some environmental enrichment for her. Usually these two things help. https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser thedrakecenter.com/materials/environmental-enrichment-indoor-cats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AejmrLa_Cs4
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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