My cat hides from family and runs away. Is this normal for cats?

I am sorry to hear about your kitty! I wonder if something is making him anxious in the evening, such as some noises outside, perhaps a cat in the neighborhood roaming outside, a person in the household who is only around in the evening, etc. I would consider getting a Feliway diffuser (a plug-in product that produces pheremones that calm cats) and starting a calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure. These products can all be purchased online or in some vet clinics. If you are seeing no improvement with these products I would recommend a trip to his vet to ensure there are no medical issues.

Just like people, some cats are quite introverted and it can take a fair amount of effort to get them out of their shells. For many of these cats, their “shyness” is actually a sign of stress and anxiety, which is often fear-related. Try to find something your cat enjoys – a special treat, ear scratches, playing with the laser pointer – and encourage your cat to approach you. Do not force any interaction, as this often makes stress and anxiety worse. It may take a bit of patience and time. Calming pheromones, such as the Comfort Zone® Calming Diffuser, can help to minimize some cats’ stress, as can anti-anxiety medication prescribed by your veterinarian. If these strategies are not successful, it may be best to consult a [veterinary behaviorist](www.dacvb.org) for further advice.

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

Your cat may be stressed when alone or may simply seek solitude. You can try reducing her stress by purchasing a Feliway diffuser and placing it in a room where she spends the most time.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like the cats natural survival instinct perhaps. Cats don't like to seem vulnerable or weak in front of assumed prey. Fouska has apparently imprinted on you and sees other family members as prey or potential prey. I hope this helps.

It is not unusual for cats to be extremely wary of visitors and defensive in their own territory, or to have favorites among family members. Pheromone products and calming diets can help but are unlikely to fundamentally change the behavior you describe

This can be perfectly normal behavior for cats. When your friend is over don't push Hershey to come out, allow him to go to the safe spot, and sometimes time and patience will improve things. If you try to force Hershey to come out it could cause aggressive behavior such as scratching and biting as a fear response.