My cat is hiding & won't come out
Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
Just to rule out, you don't have fleas in the home, do you? Have you checked her skin and fur for signs of fleas or mites? (check in ears and on tail for signs of mites).
..........Traci
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youngatheart
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- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:27 pm
No, fleas aren't a problem, but I'm certainly going to recheck ALL the kitties. I'm also trying to catch her using the litter box to check for worms, though I don't think that's a problem either.
She's just always been a skittish little kitty. Probably why she's my fave -- because no one else in the world can get as close to her as I can. My other cat runs and greets people at the door in contrast.
ETA: her ears are clean, as is her tail. Don't want to really pick her up and flip her on her back so I can examine her tummy, but no fleas visible on her back or under her chin, where the hair is very white and fleas would be very noticeable.
She's just always been a skittish little kitty. Probably why she's my fave -- because no one else in the world can get as close to her as I can. My other cat runs and greets people at the door in contrast.
ETA: her ears are clean, as is her tail. Don't want to really pick her up and flip her on her back so I can examine her tummy, but no fleas visible on her back or under her chin, where the hair is very white and fleas would be very noticeable.
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youngatheart
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Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
The latest on Monday, noon or so: She was out of the closet for most of the night and sitting in the front window where the verticals can shield her back. Went back into the closet early this morning.
Came out while I was out running errands and is now in the closet in my bedroom, but looking perfectly content and accepting my pets and head/chin scratches.
And in fact, the new cat walked up to her and sniff and they touched noses. There was no flinching or hissing. Both were very calm and neutral. The new cat backed up and walked away after his curiosity was resolved.
I keep the door open to whatever closet she's in, so she's "sheltered" but fully exposed to the room.
Came out while I was out running errands and is now in the closet in my bedroom, but looking perfectly content and accepting my pets and head/chin scratches.
And in fact, the new cat walked up to her and sniff and they touched noses. There was no flinching or hissing. Both were very calm and neutral. The new cat backed up and walked away after his curiosity was resolved.
I keep the door open to whatever closet she's in, so she's "sheltered" but fully exposed to the room.
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youngatheart
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- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:27 pm
Well, I'm relieved to report that after close to 3 weeks, my cat came out of the closet late last night and moved to the dining room sliding glass doors where she could look outside while being "hidden" by the vertical blinds.. This morning she was in the bedroom waiting for me to get up and she followed me to the kitchen, where she ate out of her normal bowl in her normal spot. She's sleeping now in her former favorite spot under the dining room table. She still looks a little skittish and "on alert", but she appears to be coming around to her old self.
Still don't know what caused her descent into the closet -- kitteh nervous breakdown? Our new theory is that perhaps she got stung by a spider or scorpion or some bug while we were out of the house. Not enough to cause a medical reaction, but perhaps enough to freak her out. It would explain her frequent licking of her front left paw perhaps. This may remain a mystery, but it appears to be over for now.
Still don't know what caused her descent into the closet -- kitteh nervous breakdown? Our new theory is that perhaps she got stung by a spider or scorpion or some bug while we were out of the house. Not enough to cause a medical reaction, but perhaps enough to freak her out. It would explain her frequent licking of her front left paw perhaps. This may remain a mystery, but it appears to be over for now.
Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
Wonderful news!
Have you examined her paw/leg for evidence of a bite, whether insect or cat bite/scratch?
Have you examined her paw/leg for evidence of a bite, whether insect or cat bite/scratch?
..........Traci
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youngatheart
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- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:27 pm
Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
Not close up. She's still very skittish, so I limit my touching. I pet and stroke, but to pin her down (which is what it would take to examine her paw) might get her anxious again. She's still in and out of the closet, but comes out on her own a lot and is eating in her normal spot in the kitchen. I'll continue to look for an opportunity.
It's basically a SWAG (scientific wild-a$$ guess) on our part. She's not limping, nothing is swollen, etc.
It's basically a SWAG (scientific wild-a$$ guess) on our part. She's not limping, nothing is swollen, etc.
Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
SWAG....LOL, love the term 
Hopefully, it's just one of those things between kitties we don't get the pleasure of the whole story. The good news is she is getting back to her normal routine, sounds like things are falling back into place! Do, however, keep an eye on all the kitties and watch their behaviors around each other, sometimes we can catch a glimpse of something they try really hard not to let us in on.
Hopefully, it's just one of those things between kitties we don't get the pleasure of the whole story. The good news is she is getting back to her normal routine, sounds like things are falling back into place! Do, however, keep an eye on all the kitties and watch their behaviors around each other, sometimes we can catch a glimpse of something they try really hard not to let us in on.
..........Traci
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youngatheart
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:27 pm
Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
Oh for sure I'll watch. I'm a very doting mother with all of them, especially since we got the new one. They seem to be getting along better. The older one -- who lost his littermate and was the inspiration behind getting a new one -- is playing more with the new cat. And even the skittish one sniffs at him without hissing occasionally.
As you said, we are slowly getting back to a routine. Emphasis on slowly.
As you said, we are slowly getting back to a routine. Emphasis on slowly.
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youngatheart
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:27 pm
Re: My cat is hiding & won't come out
Just another update: my cat remains out and about and appears to be about 85% back to normal. She's interacting with the other cats; still doesn't like her new brother, but sniffs him and walks away without hissing or getting upset. She goes into all the rooms, except one and still doesn't come up on the bed, but in all other aspects appears to be her old self.
I did a lot of googling and I think feline hyperesthesia syndrome seems to fit what she went through. She experienced the preciptating factors of increasing and somewhat continuous anxiety from the "disappearance" of her companion cat (who welcomed her into the house when she first arrived at 6 weeks), her own illness necessitating a trip to the vet, and a new cat. I think she finally "cracked" under the pressure and took to the closet to regain her equilibrium (which caused another anxiety-provoking trip to the vet to make sure there was nothing physically wrong with her).
She still has the skin "rippling" effect at times, but it doesn't appear debilitating and goes away very quickly, so I'm not inclined to pursue medications for her at this time because of potential side effects.
I'm just relieved her condition resolved with a lot of patience and allowing her to destress and feel secure again (as the various websites suggested). Thanks for your support. I've got this forum bookmarked and will visit regularly. It's a great help!
I did a lot of googling and I think feline hyperesthesia syndrome seems to fit what she went through. She experienced the preciptating factors of increasing and somewhat continuous anxiety from the "disappearance" of her companion cat (who welcomed her into the house when she first arrived at 6 weeks), her own illness necessitating a trip to the vet, and a new cat. I think she finally "cracked" under the pressure and took to the closet to regain her equilibrium (which caused another anxiety-provoking trip to the vet to make sure there was nothing physically wrong with her).
She still has the skin "rippling" effect at times, but it doesn't appear debilitating and goes away very quickly, so I'm not inclined to pursue medications for her at this time because of potential side effects.
I'm just relieved her condition resolved with a lot of patience and allowing her to destress and feel secure again (as the various websites suggested). Thanks for your support. I've got this forum bookmarked and will visit regularly. It's a great help!