Why is my cat freaking out and hiding after getting a new collar?

If your cat is not used to wearing a collar, he may be a little annoyed or upset by having a collar placed on him. However there are several things you can do to help him feel a little more comfortable wearing it. The first is to make sure the collar fits appropriately- you should be able to slip a finger between the collar and your cat's neck to ensure the fit is good but not too tight. Most cat collars have some stretch to them as well, or a clasp that will easily break away to prevent choking if caught on something. The second step is to gradually get your cat used to the collar and to associate it with something positive. If your cat has a favorite snack or treat, give him the treat when you place the collar on, and continue distracting him with treats for a few minutes as he wears it. If it gets uncomfortable, or he bothers with it, take it off for a bit, then try again with treats and wearing it. He will quickly learn that the collar means good stuff! Your cat may still sometimes attempt to lick or scratch at the collar, but he should begin to get used to it over time.

I'm sorry to hear that Nala is having a hard time with the introduction of a new kitten. It certainly sounds like she is experiencing some anxiety as a result of having a new kitten added to her household. Since it sounds like you have done a good job of introducing Simba gradually and Nala is still not tolerating him, you might need to find some ways to decrease her stress. One option for decreasing stress is to add a Feliway Diffuser ( https://www.feliway.com ) to your house. This is a calming pheromone that will work for a month and may be beneficial for both cats. I have also had luck with Rescue Remedy ( http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ ) which can be added to the water. You could also consider calming music specifically for cats ( http://throughadogsear.com/tace/through-a-cats-ear-1-music-for-calming/ ). If Nala continues to hide in your bedroom, it may be time to take her to your veterinarian for a physical exam and discussion about possible anti-anxiety medication short-term. Hopefully if you can get her more comfortable around Simba, they can have a good relationship, but it commonly takes some time. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Unfortunately, getting cats used to collars just requires time. Make sure it is a break-away collar for her safely. I usually recommend starting with a collar without a bell, so they get used to the collar without any noise. Then when they are used to the collar and no longer scratching, you can change to a collar with a bell. Don't worry, she will get used to it, but it just takes time. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

From your description, I wonder if Nala is a feral kitten. A feral kitten is a kitten that is born to a cat who lives outside and is essential wild without very much human contact. The general rule is that if feral kittens are taken away from their mom by the age of 10 weeks that they can get used to humans and become well socialized. If they do not have human contact until after 10 weeks of age, then that can be much more difficult. I would ask your friend where Nala came from and get more information on her situation. In the meantime, I would not push Nala to have any more contact than she is comfortable with. Let her hide and come out when she is ready to. I would also consider adding a Feliway Diffuser ( https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected ) to your house to decrease stress. This is a calming pheromone that will work for a month. I have also had luck with Rescue Remedy ( http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ ) which can be added to the water. I would try to find toys that she can play with herself that do not involve you if that stresses her out. You may find some good ideas on this website. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Poor girl! There could be something that has spooked her. Or she could be not feeling well. Or there could even be an internal conflict with another cat in the household. The first thing I would do is make sure she is healthy. I would see if your vet can look at her and make sure she isn’t painful, no infection, no fever, no urinary tract infection, etc. if she isn’t feeling well, this definitely can cause a change in behavior. If everything is normal then I would make sure she is getting along with everyone in the house. Make sure there are plenty of litter boxes as this is something they commonly will become territorial over. You can even put out some feliway diffusers which are pheromones they help calm down cats. Unfortunately these don’t work on everyone. You make also look into vetriscience composure treats as a natural calming supplement. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats, like people, have different personalities; some are very sociable and always want to cuddle, while others can be more reserved and independent. It may be partly personality contributing to his behavior, as well as adjusting to his new environment. A pheromone collar (they can be found on amazon, such as nurturecalm) may be a good option instead of feliway spray, as it is a continuous release for a full month. While the response is variable among cats, it is definitely something I would recommend giving a try. Additionally, if there is a type of treat that Vin really enjoys, I would recommend putting some down by you when you are sitting on the couch watching TV, etc. When he comes to eat them, don't force an interaction, but allow him to nibble on them and then decide where he wants to go. Over time, they can be moved closer and closer to you to encourage him to be more comfortable in close proximity. When he seems playful, play with him with a toy, etc and then allow him to leave when he is done. If he is on a feeding schedule, get his attention by opening a can or shaking food into his bowl, allow him to stand next to you and have a short interaction before you set it down. If he still seems uncomfortable after these suggestions, I would recommend either setting up a consult or reaching out to your regular veterinarian for further advice. Good luck!

Hello, It can sometimes take weeks for cats to get used to their collars or tags. A flat tag that affixes to the strap of the collar may be more comfortable for her. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.