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Cats/cat who constantly hides
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Question
what should I do my cat just came to live with me from my mothers. She has been here a month and all she does is hide. She will come out only when everyone is asleep. She didn't act like this at my mothers.
Kathy,
You have not given me much to go on. How old is the cat? How long did it live at your Mother's? Were their children at your mother's and are their children at your household? Was your mother's household relatively quiet as compared to yours? Was there more or less room to run around at your mother's as compared to your household? She may also be having some separation anxiety, but, after a month, it should have subsided by now.
Normally, a major change in territory for a cat takes quite a bit if adjusment and, so, weeks or months to adjust can be quite normal.
What I would do is to not approach her at all. Do not try to pick her up. Let her come out on her own. If she comes to you to ask to be petted, then pet her, otherwise leave her be. Cats do better if they feel that giving affection is their idea. Approaching a cat who is unsure will just tend to keep her in hiding.
Just some thoughts as to what may be going on.
Best regards.... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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