Cats got scared by a canine visitor and wont come out! Help!

Hello all!.. I have two cats , both female and they have only recently come to me - 8 days ago. this was thier second move in two weeks so the poorthings have been stressed. They were finally starting to relax and come from under my bed into the living room. However I was visited by a friend with a dog last night - the cats saw the dog and they all freaked. Now they will not come from back under the bed - even to feed or use the litter tray which is in another room.
I have now moved food and litter tray into my bedroom as they feel secure there - what do I do now to reassure them? I have bought them both through in my arms but they returned immediately they smelt the dog on the carpet.
I am worried about them! Any advice gratefully received!

The only thing you can do is give them time! Lower the lights in that room and don't go pulling them out from behind the bed. Just let them deal with the fear. Oh, and don't let your friend bring the dog back! This is THEIR house and they need to feel safe.

It might help to give the carpet a thorough vacuuming. I'm not sure how much it would help with dog scent, but maybe you could sprinkle a little plain baking soda on the floor before vacuuming?
Otherwise keep to the regular routine. And as Sweets suggested, no more strange dogs in the house.

Thanks for that - they are still hiding but ... will just have to be patient - I am traumatised!

I would recommend putting a Feliway diffuser in the room with them. It helps to destress cats and they were majorly stressed.

Also, keep a regular routine with when you feed them, etc. Sit in the room on the floor and quietly either talk to them or read to them. When they come out, just let them approach you at their own pace.

i echo what everyone else has said. vacuum, get feliway in fuser or the spray. and dont pull them from hiding, they will come out when ready and apprpeciate your respesting their stress level.

as for a friend bringing a dog over to visit kittens? Duh... why would they do that?

Cats are very intelligent and aware of their surroundings. They may be stressed from an unexpected intrusion, but believe that they absolutely know when the dog is not there any more. They may be worried of another visit, but when they are hungry and/or need to use the litter, they will come out. They most likely have come out to inspect when no one was looking, sometimes they like to sneak about. After all, if you don't see them sneak out, the dog probably won't either. I would simply talk to them but let them come out when they are ready, to much attention/coercion may validate their insecurity.........

I'd sprinkle some baby powder in the carpet where the dog was and then vacuum really good. I'm sure in a day or two they will be better.