Do you have a hiding kitten and you want to know how to find and attract a hidden kitten? To help you get him out of his hiding place, you first need to understand why your kitten is hiding. Thus, you will find the solution adapted to the situation and will not only be able to find it but also prevent it from continuing to hide.
Hiding kitten - Why?
Kitten that hides all the time
If your kitten hides all the time under the bed, under the sofa, in the cupboards, under the furniture, it is because he is shy, fearful and / or a little wild. In fact, your kitten is looking to take refuge in places where it se feels secure and unreachable because he is not confident in his surroundings.
This is often the case with very young kittens, kittens that have been poorly weaned or taken too early from their mother, kittens that are poorly socialized.
Kitten that hides when it's scared
If your kitten is not used to hiding all the time, if it happens that he takes refuge in a hiding place, it is probably because he is afraid of someone, of something, of 'a noise or that he feels threatened.
This is a completely normal protective reaction. A scared kitten goes se take refuge where he will feel safe and unattainable. Or a hiding place under the bed, in a cupboard, in a cardboard box or perched in a tree is an ideal place for the kitten to feel safe from danger.
Kitten that hides from time to time
Cats are independent animals. The growing kitten may need to isolate themselves in places where no one will bother them, ask them for cuddles or games. Some kittens need calm, rest, and solitude which they can find while hiding.
How to find a kitten who is hiding?
It's not easy to find a kitten who is hiding because he can go anywhere and suddenly, we do not necessarily know where to look for him.
Where to look for your kitten?
To do an organized search, you will first have to explore your interior room by room, not forgetting the storage room, the toilets and the garage. Then, you will have to explore the outside and even the neighborhood environment if you have not found it at home. But in this case, it is likely that the kitten is lost (see how to find a lost cat?).
Where are the kittens hiding?
The hiding places of the kittens are numerous and improbable.
Here is a list of the kittens' favorite hiding places: In a box, a suitcase, a gym bag, a cupboard, a drawer, a car wheel, behind a radiator, on a tree, under or on the roof, in the curtains, in the drum of the washing machine, in the dryer, in a pot, in a garbage bag, in the fireplace or in a stove, in the trunk of the car and sometimes even in the engine!
How to attract a hiding kitten?
You have finally found where your kitten has been hiding, but it does not want to come out of its hiding place. If for some kittens, a simple treat will be enough to attract them and catch them without any problem, for others it will be more complicated.
Indeed, if the kitten is afraid, anxious or suspicious, it will not be easily caught. In this case, it is important not to catch him by force because you will frighten him even more and even make him aggressive. He could then scratch your hands or face.
If your kitten is hiding because he is afraid, he will need to be reassured first.
Reassure a scared kitten
To reassure your kitten, you should try to calm him down by showing him that he can be confident with you. Here are my tips so that he is no longer afraid:
- Close doors and windows in the room where your kitten is hiding;
- Use pheromones to make him feel less stressed;
- Find out what can scare him to solve the problem that causes his fear: another animal, noise from the radio, television, printer, pressure cooker, extractor hood, vacuum cleaner or other;
- Try a gentle, non-abrupt approach while whispering his name affectionately calling him to come to you;
- Use a calming tone to say kind words to him like: Don't be afraid my loulou, come with me sweetheart, don't be afraid, I am here.
- Show him his favorite treats and toys he is particularly fond of.
- You can also use a spray that attracts cats (catnip spray) on a blanket or soft toy that will attract your kitten.
Catch a scared kitten
Coercion is never effective for make a cat or a kitten obey. Indeed, cats are intelligent animals, so you have to be more strategic than them.
If your kitten does not want to come out of its hiding place, there are methods to attract and catch it without it becoming aggressive: See How to catch a scared cat?
Kitten hides all the time - What to do?
Here are some helpful tips to prevent your kitten from hiding all the time:
- If you have just adopted your kitten, allow time to get used to its new environment and new family (see time to adapt to your new home).
- If your kitten is used to hiding all the time, to find it more easily, make him wear a collar with a bell. Thus, when it moves, you will be able to locate it more easily by hearing the sound of the bells.
- You can also get your kitten used to coming back to you when you call her by name. See how to train your kitten in 15 minutes a day.
- Do whatever it takes to make your kitten feel confident with you (see How to show your cat that you love her?).