ceiling fan

[Orville]

I just had a ceiling fan put in my dining room on Friday. My cats litter box and food are near this area and there really is no other place for them. The problem is this, my cat is terrified of the ceiling fan. Since Friday, he has been trying to hide from it. I have tried to make it so he can't hide from it so he will get use to it. He sits and stares at the fan moving or not moving and shakes. He obviously is scared of it. He really has not eaten or drank water or used his litter box since Friday. He is not acting the same at all. He doesn't greet me at the door any more and he just sits there. Nothing was dropped when the fan was hung and he sat and watched the whole process. Some loud tools were used. What do I do? Should I wait it out for a week or do I get rid of the fan?

[jason]

I just had a ceiling fan put in my dining room on Friday. My cats litter box and food are near this area and there really is no other place for them.

if you have a bathroom, then you have another option.

The problem is this, my cat is terrified of the ceiling fan. Since Friday, he has been trying to hide from it. I have tried to make it so he can't hide from it so he will get use to it.

forcing a situation is not a good idea, doesnt sound too nice either. you cant train acceptance, it is developed with love.

He sits and stares at the fan moving or not moving and shakes. He obviously is scared of it. He really has not eaten or drank water or used his litter box since Friday. He is not acting the same at all. He doesn't greet me at the door any more and he just sits there.

so, your kitty is scared of it...wont eat or drink....and you are not trying to relocate the food and water??

What do I do? Should I wait it out for a week or do I get rid of the fan?

perhaps there are details you left out, but no you should not wait at all. begin by moving the food and water elsewhere...stop forcing this new addition on your kitty. cats can develop serious problems without water (or food) for even a short amount of time (like a weekend).

also, this behviour just might be a sign that there is something health related wrong and the fan is simply a coincidence. a vet check would clear this up. but, do take action immediately.

[Jen]

One of my cats was terrified of the ceiling fans for quite a while. If you make it a positive experience, he can get used to it, but in the mean time he needs a safe area away from it. Make sure he DOES have places to hide from it. If he can safely go under something while still observing this fan he can learn that it will not hurt him. (it does take time, though).