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Cat hiding and not eating after abscess drain. Is this normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 4 years and 4 months old | 13 lbs

My cat Toby got a tube to drain his abscess yesterday and has been under my bed since. He will only eat if I bring his food and water to him but has not used his litter box either. He is also both an indoor and outdoor cat. All he does is sleep under my bed?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 16th, 2017

Many times, we have to give medication to sedate or anesthetise the cat in order to drain the abscess. These drugs will make them drowsy and sometimes not feel good for a day or two after it wears off. Hiding under the bed for a day would not concern me at this time. If he is otherwise acting normal, then he's probably just getting over the drugs and traumatic experience. It might take him a couple of days before he feels like going back to his normal routine. If something else seems abnormal with him - like he won't eat, drink or respond normally to you - then there could be something else going on and it would be best to take him back to the vet for a check-up. I hope that helps and Toby gets better soon.

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on

    Sorry to hear about Toby! Hiding is a common clinical signs seen in cats experiencing some kind of abnormality. Given the current treatment of an abscess, it is possible that he has some form of discomfort. Hiding is a very non-specific sign so other things are possible. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment if he continues to hide to see if there is something else going on perhaps his abscess needs some revision. Good luck!

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