Why is my cat hiding and acting unusual? Is she sick or just scared?

Stress can cause cats to hide or act abnormally. For example if you had house guests or got a new pet this could stress your cat out. However medical issues can also cause cats to hide. Cats may hide if they are feeling bad. I would keep a very close eye on your cats appetite, water intake, BMs, and urine if your cat is hiding. If you notice anything that is not normal I would take your cat in for a thorough exam and some basic bloodwork. Older cats can be prone to things like diabetes, renal disease, and hyperthyriodism. These can be fairly well managed with meds once daignosed. If your cat is a male, keep a very close eye on the litter box and be sure he is urinating ok. Male cats can get thier urethra blocked and become unable to urinate. This is an emergency and can be fatal very quickly if left untreated. If it turns out to be just stress I reccomend trying a product called Feliway. Feliway mimcks the phermone produced by mother cats and has a calming effect on cats. Feliway should be available over the counter at your local vet. hope this helps

Sudden behavioral changes can sometimes indicate an issue such as pain or illness. If Mel has been hiding she may be feeling stressed or unwell. Scheduling a vet check up if the behavior continues is a good next step. Be sure to also take note if you see any other changes such as decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, etc which can help your vet figure out what may be happening.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The behavior you describe is definitely a little unusual. Cats are actually somewhat of a prey species, so they are very good at hiding illnesses. I recommend keeping a close eye on Hobbes, and having her seen by a vet if this continues for the next 2 days or so. She should be seen sooner if you feel that she has declined or begins to show signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Clyode. Yes, I am concerned that she is ill given her recent behavior. Cats by nature hide illness. So any behavioral change can be significant. I recommend having her seen by her veterinarian. Based on her examination, testing such as blood work may be recommended. Based on these results, treatment can be started if necessary. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kitty Mucher. If she spends time outdoors, then I worry that she sustained an injury. Cat bite wounds are common and could explain her abrupt change in behavior. If she is not acting normal by the time you return home today, then she will need to see her veterinarian. If she does have a wound (and they can be hard to find), she will require treatment. I hope this information helps!

If Major had not been urinating or had been in and out of the litter box a lot then it’s possible he could have a urinating blockage which is an emergency. If he is urinating normally but not eating I would still recommend a vet visit tomorrow. Hiding is something cats do when sick. There are any number of things that could have an older cat not feeling well including dental disease, renal disease or other organ dysfunction. I hope Major is better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

If you took her to a vet and she appears healthy than it just might be her personality. Some cats prefer to hide from people and are not very social while other cats are very social and love to be around people. If she is eating well and maintaining a healthy weight than it might not be anything to worry about. If you are still concerned than you could take her back to the vet and have them run routine bloodwork looking for potential problems.