New cat is hiding behind my bed - what do I do?

Question

I got a new 1-year-old cat today and for the past 6 hours she has been hiding behind the headboard of my bed, squeezed up against the wall. I wanted to give her some time to get adjusted so I just moved the bed to give her a little more room back there, but I had hoped she would have at least come out and poked around a little by now! Anyone have any suggestions on what to do next?

Answer 1

Leave her alone. She'll come out when she's hungry.

Answer 2

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RE:
New cat is hiding behind my bed - what do I do?
I got a new 1-year-old cat today and for the past 6 hours she has been hiding behind the headboard of my bed, squeezed up against the wall. I wanted to give her some time to get adjusted so I just moved the bed to give her a little more room back there, but I had hoped she would have at least come...

Answer 3

Put some food and water and a litter box nearby; leave the room and close the door. Allow her plenty of time to get used to all the sights and sounds and smells of a new place. When you go into the room, sit down on the floor (can you imagine how big you look to a cat when you stand up??), and speak to her calmly. If she approaches you, hold your hand out so that she can get a whiff of your personal chemistry, but don't try to touch her right away. You might take a few cat-treats with you, to spark her curiousity. Be quiet and speak gently around her; you may also want to get a quiet toy like a laser pointer to engage her interest. You might need to do this for two or three days, but once she figures out that you're not going to harm her, her natural curiousity will very likely take over.

Answer 4

I have owned cats for 35 years. Every time we move into a new home my cats find a hiding place for about 24 to 48 hours. Cats are territorial in nature and you have just given your new cat a new territory. She will be causious until she knows it's safe.
As long as you DID show your cat where the litter box is and keep fresh food out she will be fine. My cats usually did not eat for a couple of days either. No big deal, they came when they felt comfortable. Keep things low key and don't chase her or try and grab your new cat. My cats come to me for attention. If I go to them first, I usually get the " excuse me, but did I asked to be loved on at this peticular time?" response from my cats. Cats are independant by nature, they usually rule the house once they are ready to do so.

Answer 5

Put some food and water by the bed so the cat can smell it , then just leave her alone. I was scared like that too when i got a new cat, she hid for a long time, but she came out, and so will yours. Go in the room everyonce in awhile and talk sofly to her, don't try and grab her. And, if you have a litter box for her, put it in the bedroom too. You don't have to leave it in there all the time, but she may need to use it and doesn't know what to do. She'll be ok. If you have other animals, try and keep them away from her for now.

Answer 6

That's normal for a feline to hide when they enter a new surrounding, give her some time, it may take a couple of days. Go about your normal routine, and let her get used to your habits, and she will want to join the Family.
I have put food and water by the bed too, just in case you are concerned that she is not eating out in the mainstream.
Don't be too concerned, it's all a matter of Trust, and she will become a part of the Family before you know it.

Answer 7

My first cat was very timid like that at first. She was about 1 year old too; I think she was abandoned, I found her in the backyard. She stayed only in one room for the first two months! She didn't even like catnip. She did like food, though, and I would talk to her. Now she is not timid even with strangers, but she's not really outgoing either. If you can get the cat out to pet her it will probably help, unless she gets violent. Maybe you could feed her more often, smaller amounts, to increase your interaction with her. Talk to her (or make noises anyway) and be patient.

Answer 8

She is nervous of her surroundings. New place and new smells. I had got my cat from the shelter, she had just been spayed, so she was a little drugged out but she hid under the bed too. After a couple days she was exploring everything and acting like a normal cat. Be patient she will come out.

Answer 9

usually whenever a cat moves into a new home, especially with new owners, the cat will feel emotionally uneasy and typically hides for a while until they begin to feel at home. Most cats simply hide under furnature and behind things to feel safe. once they feel that their new environment is friendly and not harmful they will come out of their shell. My advice, let kitty be a kitty. My cat squeezes himself into the smallest of places. I think he does it for two reasons. one to hide when he feels threatened, and two, I believe cats love to explore where ever they can fit their bodies into. I have seen my cat trying to fit his body into boxes no bigger than his head, but he persists in trying to get his whole body in.

Answer 10

Try setting a plate of food or water by the place where she is hiding. Place it far enough in the open where she will not have to come out a little, but not too far. Right now, she has to learn to trust you. She does not know where she is or why she is here. She her that you can be trusted. Do not grab her or chase her out.

Answer 11

If you want you could pull her out and love on her a little she will probably go back again but you need to at least pull her out show her where her food dish is water dish and litter box. Do you have any other cats in the home this has a tendency to make a cat even more standoffish even longer Kids will also make them do this if they haven't been around kids