Why Does My Cat Hide When People Come?

Although with you he is the most sociable and affectionate animal in the world, perhaps your cat hides when people come. Do you want to know how to help him overcome this fear?

Domestic cats, like any other animal, need a place to hide if they perceive danger around them. But what if the cat hides when people come home? Is this worrisome?

The answers to these questions can be many, but in the following lines you will find some general guidelines to identify the problem and what you should do as a tutor to solve it. Do not miss it.

Why does my cat hide when people come?

It can happen that a cat hides when visitors come and still be sociable and affectionate. There are a multitude of factors that can cause this behavior, and not all of them are bad. However, if you suspect that this behavior may be due to a problem, here are some of the most common reasons that could explain it:

• Socialization problems : If the cat has not been able to learn to socialize properly when it was young, it may have problems when it comes to meeting other humans.
• Traumas : if you are dealing with an animal that has suffered abuse or neglect, consider that there may be a traumatic episode in your cat’s life. If the cause is a phobia towards humans or strangers in general, the problem should be addressed with a lot of patience and the help of a professional.
• Stress : Cats are prone to stress due to sudden changes in the environment or other reasons, such as the loss of a loved one or the birth of a human in the family.
• Living with other felines: if living with other individuals of the same species is stressful or problematic, this can lead to socialization problems with humans. An example would be not wanting to approach you when another of the cats is present.

• Physical causes: illness or pain can make the cat want to stay hidden, as it feels discomfort and tends to hide symptoms.

Recommendations to encourage your cat to go out

The first recommendation, and the most important, is not to force the situation. If your cat is hiding, you should not drag him out of his shelter or disturb him, as this will only reinforce his desire to stay out of sight.

The key is to identify the reason why the animal is hiding and correct it with efficiency and patience. Once the stressor is removed, the next step is to associate the visits and be in sight with something positive. Knowing the feline and observing it is essential throughout the entire process so as not to lose its confidence.

Guidelines for associating humans with something positive

This is a process that can be frustrating for you as a guardian, but you must arm yourself with patience and adapt to the rhythm set by the cat. Otherwise, you could lose their confidence and retaking the methodology will become more expensive. Here are some tips for the feline to associate humans with something positive:

• He begins by leaving treats or food that he loves in his hideaway every time visitors come.
• If he comes out of hiding when you approach him, start with positive reinforcement : reward him. If every time he makes an advance you reinforce him, little by little the cat will establish the connection between the positive and the people.
• Consult with your veterinarian or ethologist about the possibility of using synthetic pheromones for cats. These smells can make the feline feel that it is in a more familiar area and, therefore, safer.

• Take care of their well-being and the bond you have with your feline: if the bond that binds you is solid, it will be easier for them to trust you in a situation that they perceive as dangerous.
• Enrich their world: Neophobia – or fear of new things – is more common in animals that do not undergo changes or face mental challenges. If you keep him mentally active, it will be easier for the cat to associate the new with the possibility of something positive happening.

One last recommendation if your cat is hiding

Responsibility when welcoming a non-human animal into homes is an issue on the order of the day. The most important thing is not whether or not the cat is hiding when visitors arrive, but rather that this is causing a discomfort that must be mitigated.

Taking care of your feline’s mental health, especially if it comes from a serious life situation, is as important as a vaccine or a physical illness. When you get your cat to go out without fear when there are visitors, you will have achieved one more positive point for humanity.