Really stressed. New cat has gone behind/under kitchen cabinet again!!

[SallyWD]

I posted on Saturday regarding our new rescue cat who went under the kitchen cabinet through a tiny gap and wouldn't come out. We eventually had to dismantle the cupboards, smash a hole in the back of the cupboard and drag him out. It was highly stressful for him and us and took several hours. Despite me blocking up the gap whilst we wait for the handyman to come and block it properly he's managed to do it again! I'm so stressed, I can't eat and feel sick. I don't think we should attempt to get him again as it absolutely terrified him. Am I right to leave him to it? We can't get to him but he can easily get out. It's horrible and cold there but it's safe and he can't get outside. I've left his food, water and litter tray nearby. Shall I just wait until he builds up the confidence to come out? I'm a nervous wreck and can't believe it's happened again.

He'll come out when he's hungry and feeling a bit more confident of his new surroundings. When we rehomed our cat (not a rescue - my friend's cat) she hid behind our piano for the first couple of days. I think they like to hide away and get the lie of the land before they make themselves at home.

Thank you. That makes me feel a bit better. I don't mind him hiding I just wish wish it wasn't there. It's absolutely freezing and dirty.

I agree - let him come out when he's ready. Leave food, water and litter nearby.

Maybe get a Feliway diffuser plug-in for the room?

Thanks, yes I have plugged a feliway diffuser in the nearest socket.

Arm yourself with a pack of dreamies.

Don’t throw a couple behind the cabinet, crinkle/shake the bag and say “treat” in a low, calm voice.

When he comes out give him a couple of treats, put him in another room and block off the area behind the cabinet so he can’t go there again.

Mine were INSIDE the sofa while I was about for around 3 days. I knew they were OK because food & water would vanish overnight and the tray was used after a couple of days.

Took Girlcat 3 days to come out when the room was occupied, and Boycat over a week. He still hides behind the sofa if he gets really scared e.g. strange man comes into the house, while he bides his time before escaping upstairs.

I just left them to it, ensured food, water & tray were quite close to them, and chatted quietly to them.

Thanks I really appreciate the reassurance. I'll give him time to emerge even if it takes days. I just wish he'd chosen a more comfortable hiding place. Just been to supermarket and bought prawns, tuna and dreamies to entice him out!

Leave him. You'll stress him out more of you try and get him out. A cat will not make itself uncomfortable!

Thank you again @Toddlerteaplease.I'm following your advice but will be very tense until he's out.

Do you have any other pets or small children?

If so make some space higher up so he’s free to escape. A cat tree would be perfect.

He'll be fine. Our cat did the same thing, and still does if she gets half a chance. I remember panicking when she first did it but I've learned to leave her to it as she'll come out when she's ready.

It being cold and uncomfortable just means that's likely to be sooner rather than later.

Yes, I'll just let him do things at his own pace. I have no other animals just 2 children aged 9 and 7. They can be quite noisy at times but I'd been doing my best to protect the cat from the noise. My DD has been giving the cat a lot of attention (maybe too much) but he's been very responsive, coming up to her, sitting on her lap, licking her. It seemed he was really enjoying our company which is why it's strange he's refusing to come out now.

He'll come out in his own time. Our last rescue managed to crawl into a tiny gap and hid under the bath for 4 days, then under the sofa for 2. Still came out to eat when we were all in bed.

Ours hid under the kickboards when mil cat sat.

Is he waiting for your dd to come home? Maybe she’s his human.

It will be ok. Cats love unsanitary hidey holes, it’s their hunting instinct, bound to be a spider snack in there.

You're all being so helpful. Yes that's where he is - behind the kickboards (I had to Google kickboards, didn't know what they were!). I've been sitting very quietly in living room which joins kitchen-I heard a noise and he was there! He disappeared in to his hiding place as soon as he heard me. I was so happy just to see him!

Can you remove the kick board? I would probably do that and wait!

We did that when it happened on Saturday. After we removed them he somehow went upwards, behind the cabinets in a really narrow uncomfortable space. It was then that my husband broke the back of the cupboard with a hammer and pulled him through causing immense stress to him and us. I really don't want to go through that again...

If he can get out leave him to it. :) he'll be happy with his hiding space and he will eventually settle down.

Just leave him - cats don't like change. We moved house and our cat we'd had for 8 yrs hid in our bed for a week!

This kind of hiding is really common in new rescue cats. Both of mine spent a long time hiding under cabinets, one was semi perched on top of a plug socket behind a cabinet Don't drag him out, he can obviously get in and out himself by the sounds of it. Spend time in the room talking quietly to him, so he gets used to your voice. In a few months you'll wonder where that scared cat went as he'll be completely at home!

Our cat did the same when she first arrived, also a rescue. She came out when it was quiet. We then blocked it up and she took to hiding in the cupboard periodically. She never does it now, she just needed time to adjust, even though she’s always been super friendly.

The best thing to do is sit in the lounge pretending you don’t give a fuck.

The cat will be in the kitchen genuinely not giving any fucks.

@Fluffycloudland77 haha, that made me laugh! So true. I now realise what a drama queen I am. Just returned from the school run the find the cat sitting happily in his own room! Can't believe how stressed I was - couldn't even eat all day! How ridiculous. And when I think of the drama on Saturday of smashing open the kitchen cupboard wall when he would have come out on his own a few hours later. I really need to calm down about this cat. Thanks to everyone - your stories about your own experiences really helped me.

Do you still have the cat basket/crate or even a blanket it came with?

My little divas sat in their crate for a few days before taking up residence in the laundry basket on DH's boxers!

These days I am relieved to have a minute or two to myself

No he was brought by a cat charity so they used their own crate. Good idea though. I feel much more relaxed now he's back in his room. Let's see how he can scare me next time.