New Single Cat Owner

SickStreams

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Hello,

I am new here and had a few questions/concerns. So I have had cats before. Took in a stray who was pregnant and had a litter of 5 kittens. Had my (now Ex) there with me as she is a huge animal lover. No longer together I adopted a 2 year old female. Of course new home new environment she hid under the bed. it has now been a few months and she still hides under the bed more than I think she should, she comes out when I get home for lovings and eating and isnt really afraid or scared of me as she jumps on my lap while I am on my computer at home and we play all the time. Yes she has plenty of hiding spots other than under the bed. I have blocked her access to under the bed and have put treats in the spots she could hid under to help her use those instead. She is now hiding under the covers of the bed ALL day until I get home and not sure if I should be concerned about it. I do know that they like the comfort of the blankets to ease anxiety and stress. What should I do? Am I wrong to block under the bed as a hiding spot?
 

ArtNJ

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Cats sleep a lot more than people do. And some cats just like the sense of safety of napping under the bed. So I'm not clear that its actually "hiding" based on your description of a cat that likes you a lot and comes out to hang with you. So I wouldn't block the bed. Really the only time I see that recommended is where the cat has ripped a hole in the foundation and is literally sleeping inside of it (had that once). And of course if a cat is sleeping somewhere unsafe like behind an appliance, that can get blocked off too. But the bed is pretty common and not a big deal. Since its only been a few months, this is likely not the forever spot either -- cats tend to change spots quite a bit, and the bed is a common starting spot. She'll probably find somewhere more open when she is ready, no rush.

Is this a cat that has anxiety with every little sound? Does she rush under the bed when a neighbor closes their door too hard, stuff like that?
 
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FeebysOwner

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Hi. She is hiding under the covers of the bed - ON the bed, or the covers hanging over the edge of the bed on the floor? Just curious. If it is under the covers but still on the floor, you might want to consider constructing a reasonable sized box underneath the bed near where she once was laying, keeping the rest of the area blocked, and place one of the covers she has been using inside the box to see if she might use it. That way, she gets her under the bed spot back, but in a controlled way. If she does take to it, you might eventually be able to gradually move the box out from under the bed and yet still close to the bed to see if she might have accepted it as her new sleeping spot. Even if she is sleeping ON the bed, you can try the box under the bed as an alternative, and let her pick between the two.
 
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SickStreams

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FeebysOwner FeebysOwner she is burrowing under the covers on top of the bed. I have a big cube hiding like this here and a bed with a cover over it for the sense of security as well and she has no interest in either one.
 
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SickStreams

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A ArtNJ yes she is very frightened with noises around even sometimes when I just walk in the room she bolts for under the bed. When I walk next to her I always say excuse me and walk around her and give her plenty of distance just cause
 

ArtNJ

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A ArtNJ yes she is very frightened with noises around even sometimes when I just walk in the room she bolts for under the bed. When I walk next to her I always say excuse me and walk around her and give her plenty of distance just cause
Thats ok, and not that unusual. The important thing is that she really likes you, so she will gain confidence with time. Blocking off the bed won't help. It takes away her perceived safe space, and she might feel less comfortable. More likely, she'll just find another hiding spot, like under the covers. Just continue doing what your doing, being as patient and supportive as you can. Maybe you can sweep/mob instead of vaccum for a while, that sort of thing. But mostly just time.

Since she really likes you, you can probably develop a call noise to let her know its a good time for attention. That way, if she feels like attention, she'll know your ready and come out.
 

rubysmama

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Do you know your kitty's history, by any chance? That might explain her nervousness. However, some cats are just more skittish than others. Here's a few TCS articles that might be helpful:

How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding? – TheCatSite Articles
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat – TheCatSite Articles
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats – TheCatSite Articles

As for hiding under the bed all day long, on the floor, that's not so great. But if she's "hiding", i.e. sleeping, on top of the bed, under the covers, that's purr-fectly normal, and not really a cause for concern.

Does she have a cat condo / tree? If you could put one in front of a window, I'm sure that would quickly become one of her purr-ferred locations, especially if it's a sunny window.

Hello and welcome to TCS, btw. :wave2:
 

gilmargl

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I have 4 cats, 2 of them hide under a bed as soon as the doorbell rings or the vacuum cleaner, ironing board or something large is moved. They have always done this and it is an improvement to hiding from everybody all day and everyday. I think you'll just have to accept it and be happy that she is happy to see you and come out of hiding when you are around. I admit I have at times prevented them from getting under their favorite bed. When one of them needed to go the vet, it was far easier to lift her from a shelf in a cupboard than to try to get her out from under a bed. I am throwing this particular bed out and buying a narrower one. They will still be allowed to sleep on it but, unfortunately, there's no space underneath it. I'll have to think about an alternative hiding place or leave a cupboard open all day and night. One reason they like it under the bed, is the warmth. They soon find out where the heating pipes are - another favorite spot is under the dining room table and not only for the scaredy cats.
 
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SickStreams

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Thats ok, and not that unusual. The important thing is that she really likes you, so she will gain confidence with time. Blocking off the bed won't help. It takes away her perceived safe space, and she might feel less comfortable. More likely, she'll just find another hiding spot, like under the covers. Just continue doing what your doing, being as patient and supportive as you can. Maybe you can sweep/mob instead of vaccum for a while, that sort of thing. But mostly just time.

Since she really likes you, you can probably develop a call noise to let her know its a good time for attention. That way, if she feels like attention, she'll know your ready and come out.
Okay yea, my bed has two levels of height and it was at the lowest and I raised it up so its easier for her to be a little more mobile under there and she was stoked. I will just be patient and accept her love for under the bed.

I have all carpet in the apartment so mopping would be a mess xD
 
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SickStreams

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Do you know your kitty's history, by any chance? That might explain her nervousness. However, some cats are just more skittish than others. Here's a few TCS articles that might be helpful:

How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding? – TheCatSite Articles
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat – TheCatSite Articles
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats – TheCatSite Articles

As for hiding under the bed all day long, on the floor, that's not so great. But if she's "hiding", i.e. sleeping, on top of the bed, under the covers, that's purr-fectly normal, and not really a cause for concern.

Does she have a cat condo / tree? If you could put one in front of a window, I'm sure that would quickly become one of her purr-ferred locations, especially if it's a sunny window.

Hello and welcome to TCS, btw. :wave2:
She has a condo box with a bed inside, a cat tree with three levels that sit right next to my bed in by a window that over looks a nice pond with bunch of ducks so shes got a great view as well. Doesnt use the tree much at all (was surprised)
 
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