The average cat can hide in a house for ten minutes. Sometimes, they’ll spend only a couple of minutes inside. Other times, however, cats will spend several hours trying to get out again undetected. The reasons for this vary from cat to cat. Some do it because they have nowhere else to go and have never learned how to find another home or place to live. Others do it because they are frightened and want to avoid being seen by people as much as possible. Still others do it because they like being on their own and don’t want anyone intruding on their personal space or bothering them while they’re relaxing at home. Here we take a look at what the typical length of time your cat will spend hiding once they realize there are people in the house, the hidden dangers they face while doing so, and how you can help them break out of their hiding place sooner rather than later
Will a cat hide for days?
There’s no limit to how long a cat can spend hiding in the house. They will usually hide for a few minutes at first and then stretch it out to several hours if they feel scared or threatened. Once your cat is inside, they will usually move from room to room until they find a spot that gives them the best view of what’s going on outside. Some cats like being in dark places where it’ll be harder for people to see them while some prefer light places so they are easier to spot.
How do you lure a cat out of hiding?
Luring your cat out of hiding is not a difficult task. If they’re in a room, go into the room and make some noise so that they get curious about what you’re doing. You might also try slowly making your way to where the cat is hiding by slowly opening closed doors. Make sure you have some treats in your hand or in your pocket. This will encourage them to come out and see what you are offering them.
Once your cat comes out, give them plenty of love and affection from both of you. They should then be able to move on with their day without any problems.
How long should my cat be missing before I worry?
If your cat has been missing for more than a few hours, it’s time to worry. The average cat can spend around ten minutes hiding inside a house before they realize the people are there. For this reason, if your cat is missing for more than an hour, you should start looking around and calling out their name in hopes they will come back. If you find them hiding somewhere outside of their normal territory, such as under the bed or behind a wardrobe, then it’s probably safe to assume they are hiding from something specific. You might want to get your pet vet involved if you find that your cat is suffering any physical injuries while hiding.
How long will a lost cat hide if scared?
In most cases, a cat will hide for only about six minutes before coming out again. It’s easy for them to do that because they are naturally curious creatures who love to explore and hunt. They will also usually come out when they realize that the people aren’t going to hurt them or see them. Once they realize this, they relax and come out of hiding.
There are some dangers a cat faces while hiding in a house, however. For example, if the cat is scared enough it might start urinating on the floor where it is hiding. That could lead to serious health issues if someone slips or falls on the urine and gets sick from it as well as end up having an allergic reaction due to the dander or debris embedded in the urine itself. Additionally, a frightened cat might scratch furniture or break things if it becomes too anxious or frustrated with its situation.
