Help, I have an extremely traumatised cat...

[cheesybeansontoast]

One of my cats has been under my bed since lunchtime after being chased by next doors dog. The dog had escaped through NDNs next door and chased the cat who eventually made it back to the house. He has been upstairs ever since.

He has spent four hours under an armchair in the corner of my room. All his tail and fur have completely "fluffed" out and he is hissing when I go near him. I cannot see any injuries on him.

I have just managed to put him in DD1s room with food, water and a litter tray and the plan is to just leave him to sleep tonight.

Totally not his character, he is the most outgoing cat normally.

Does trauma just take time with cats? Anyone experienced this at all?

Thanks in advance ......

[thecatneuterer]

Oh dear. Poor cat. I think that's a good plan. And yes, but all cats react differently and some get over things quicker than others, so I can't say how long it will take him. I would have thought he'd have calmed down by morning though.

[shaska]

Poor poppet. The madcat lived under the bed for three days once after an unexpected dog in the house incident- but that's to be expected from her and even she did come out eventually and was fine.

Fingers crossed he's feeling better today!

[Gingermum]

Hi Shaska

To add to the advice above, I had a similar situation when one of mine was chased by a dog. I left water and a litter tray in his room, and a bowl of his favourite food - chicken. I also plugged in a Feliway cat calmer thing (I'm sure someone else can explain it better) and left him to it. He came out the next day and was fine.

Good luck
x