How to Lure a Cat Out of Hiding: 6 Vet Approved Steps
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If you haven’t seen your cat in a while and are starting to get worried that something has happened to them, the chances are that they’re probably hiding. Cats are excellent at hiding and keeping their owners on their toes. Your cat might be hiding because they’re instinctively driven to do so. Of course, it could also be because they’re anxious and have sought out a safe place to hide.
Whatever the reason, it’s up to you to lure them out, make sure they’re okay, and give them the reassurance they need. But where do you start? Keep reading as we help you seek out your cat and walk you through a few steps on how to safely lure your cat out of hiding.
Common Places to Look If You Don’t Know Where Your Cat Is
It’s important to stay calm when looking for your cat. Becoming worked up and raising your voice may scare your cat further and cause them to remain hiding instead of coming out to you, which is the opposite outcome of what you’re trying to achieve.
There are common hiding spots that cats naturally gravitate to because of their curiosity, the warmth, the darkness, the sense of security it gives them, or the newness of it. Cats love to explore new things and may end up curling up and taking a nap if they like the spot they’ve found.
- Cardboard boxes
- Closets
- Inside drawers
- Under furniture
- The dryer
- Behind curtains
- On top of the refrigerator
- Under the house
- In a suitcase
- Under the car or under the hood
Before You Start
If you have found where your cat is hiding but can’t get to them, there are a few steps you can take to lure them out. However, if they’re in a safe and comfortable spot, there is no need to disrupt them as they’ll come out as soon as they feel ready. However, if they’re in a spot that isn’t safe or poses a risk of getting stuck, you’ll need to act quickly and follow the steps below.
Before you try to lure your cat out from their hiding spot, you’ll need to get a few things, such as:
- Cat treats/cat food
- Toys
- Catnip
- A spray bottle
The 6 Steps to Lure a Cat Out of Hiding
1. Remove Any Stressors
If your cat is hiding because they’re scared or anxious, the first thing you’ll need to do is remove whatever it is that caused them to hide in the first place. It might be a visitor that brought along their loud child or their new puppy.
The noise and unfamiliarity could cause your cat to seek out a safe place. They will likely come out on their own once your visitor has left, but if not, try to make their environment as safe and quiet as possible by asking your children to play in another room or placing your other pets outside.
2. Gently Call for Your Cat
If your cat typically comes to you when you call out their name, whistle, or make “tck tck tck” noises, give those a try near where they’re hiding. It’s best to give your cat some space, so don’t go right up to where they are. If it’s a new cat that isn’t comfortable around you yet, your presence may cause them to remain hiding, so back off and allow them to emerge freely.
It’s also important that you keep your voice calm and soft, as a cat is likely to remain hiding if you’re too loud or sound anxious or fearful.
3. Use Their Food
Cats have a habit of showing up as soon as they hear you pour food into their bowls, so this trick may work for a hiding cat. Try pouring food into their bowl and gently shaking the bowl with the food. Your cat will know exactly what is happening, and if they’re eager to eat, they’ll come running from wherever they are.
If your cat recently ate and isn’t hungry, you could try placing their favorite cat treats at the entrance to wherever they’re hiding. Place a few more treats further away until your cat is out and in a safe environment.
4. Use Their Toys
Cats love to play, chase, catch, and jump, especially when something is wiggled in front of their face. They automatically switch into prey drive and will do whatever they can to catch their potential prey. You can use this to your advantage and wiggle a feather wand or a toy mouse in front of where they’re hiding. If they’re familiar with the toy, they may come running after it.
If your cat needs a great toy to get the playing started, we recommend our Hepper Catnip Stick Toy. These sturdy, dual-layer sticks are hand-made in the USA and filled with 100% organic catnip. Choose from a fun range of pastel colors and give your cat hours of playtime!
5. Use Catnip
Catnip makes cats feel good, which is why most cats react to it by rolling on the floor, rubbing their face and body against it and other objects, and getting excited. Not all cats react to catnip the same way, but if your cat typically goes crazy for the stuff, you could hold some a little way away from their hiding spot to lure them out, or you could place some near their food.
6. Spray Some Water
If all else fails, you may have to spray some water near your cat. Your cat won’t like this, so only follow this step if they’re not in a safe spot, and waiting for them to come out on their own isn’t an option. Also, never use water if it could cause your cat to move deeper into wherever you’re trying to get them out from, as this could make things even trickier.
You can use a spray bottle and spray water near where your cat is or on their rump. Cats typically don’t like to get wet or hang out in wet areas and may decide that the comfort and dryness of their bed is a better spot to hang out instead.
Reasons Why Your Cat Is Hiding
Some cats enjoy being on their own and hiding out in quiet places. However, sometimes, there are other reasons that can cause this behavior.
- They were recently adopted. A new cat may need time to trust you and their new environment and search out spots that make them feel safe.
- They’re unwell. When a cat is hurt or sick, they hide so as not to look vulnerable.
- They’re anxious. Moving houses, having a baby, or getting a new pet can cause anxiety in your cat, which may result in them seeking out a place where they feel safe, protected, and in control.
- They’re pregnant. Cats seek out quiet spots that are away from other pets and people to give birth. To avoid this, set up a nesting area for your cat a few weeks before she is due to give birth.
How to Prevent Your Cat from Hiding
If you don’t want your cat wandering off to find new hiding spots, there are ways to prevent this behavior. The best thing you can do is get them a place where they can hide and feel comfortable and safe. If they have a place where they can go when they feel anxious, they won’t seek out less safe alternatives.
You can consider getting your cat a window perch, a cat tree, a warm bed, a cat cave, or even a cardboard box that has a warm blanket inside. You can lure your cat to these new items by placing down catnip, treats, or toys.
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Conclusion
Cats love to hide and may do so for a number of reasons. If you don’t know where your cat is, walk around your home and search the common hiding spots that cats tend to sneak off to. These places are usually warm, quiet, and dark and give your cat a sense of security.
When luring your cat out of a hiding spot, start by removing the things that caused them to go into hiding in the first place. You can then call out to them, place down food or treats, wiggle their toys in front of them, or lure them out with catnip. If nothing else works, you may need to spray water on their rump.
Consider why your cat is hiding and take action to prevent this behavior.
Featured Image Credit: Maistet, Shutterstock
