HELP! Adopted Shelter Cat and he is Hiding in Wall

countrycatlady

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I adopted a shelter cat and had him in my bathroom with food and litter so he could slowly get used to my house. I went up to feed him supper to find he had somehow moved the shelves in front of my door that leads under the eaves of my house that has access to my pipes and such for my bathtub.

He has gotten into a hole where the pipes from the bathtub go into the wall, he is hiding under the tub lining out of my reach and sight. I was so worried I stayed up ALL night. I tried treats, dry food, wet food and he never came out. Around four am he snuck out and ate some wet food (it was all gone) but he was too fast for me and by the time I got to him he had ran back into his hiding space.

So at least I know that he can get in and out of his hiding space but I'm still so worried about him being in this space (it's above the floorboard and between the bathroom wall and the bathtub liner). I was worried he might have fallen through or gotten lost but he did come out and eat.

I'm in full panic mode and haven't slept in 24 hours. Any advice? The wall is all tiled and I've got no way of getting through it (I live alone). I've tried food and sitting outside the opening but he would only come out to eat (once) when I went downstairs and gave him space.
 

SeventhHeaven

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Welcome you've come to the right place!

Stay calm he's eating, he's  OK  you will get lots of advice and tips.  Grab tuna and good quality cat nip as bait.  Your kitty

most  likely is was very stressed sounds like he ate but no water yet, I'm sure everything will work out perfect he knows

where the food is it just takes time.  
  
 
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countrycatlady

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Thanks!

He hasn't touched his food again BUT he did come down to use the litter and I saw him walking in my living room but the moment he realized I was there he bolted back into his hiding spot :(

At least he was brave enough to come out and explore but I'm worried about him getting water and eating since the last thing he ate was a can of cat food last night and since then he hasn't touched the food I've left out.

Fingers crossed that he eats tonight and has some water, I know cats are more active and brace at night so I'm hopeful that he comes out tonight.

Just very stressful not being able to see him and know he is okay, not the ideal carefully planned introduction to my home I was hoping for! 
 
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countrycatlady

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Thanks!

He hasn't touched his food again BUT he did come down to use the litter and I saw him walking in my living room but the moment he realized I was there he bolted back into his hiding spot :(

At least he was brave enough to come out and explore but I'm worried about him getting water and eating since the last thing he ate was a can of cat food last night and since then he hasn't touched the food I've left out.

Fingers crossed that he eats tonight and has some water, I know cats are more active and brace at night so I'm hopeful that he comes out tonight.

Just very stressful not being able to see him and know he is okay, not the ideal carefully planned introduction to my home I was hoping for! 
 

margd

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This is completely normal behavior for a newly adopted cat.  It's just that yours selected a hiding place that makes you worry half to death.  The fact that he's coming out is a very good sign and hopefully indicates he will soon become more adventuresome.  At that point, you can seal off that opening, while providing him with another place to hide.  Even an overturned box with an entrance hole cut in it will do.  (Don't forget some padding.)

You're doing the right thing by offering him food.  I realize he didn't eat the last bit you left out, so you might try tempting him with some tuna or other smelly food, or even some baby food (turkey or chicken, no spices.)  Warm it up to release the aroma before you place it before his hole.  Right now you need to concentrate on getting him out so you can seal up his hiding place  - concentrate on his diet later.

You might also try interacting with him by waving a string around.  That often draws the most reluctant cat out.  Be sure to follow up with a treat, if he comes out.

Try not to worry too much.  ( I say that knowing I'd be just as worried as you are!)  The odds are very good that he'll come out at some point and you'll be able to block his access to the area under the tub.   You're right to worry about him not eating but if he came out to use the litter box, he will probably come out to eat when he's hungry enough.   

Good luck and congratulations on the new cat!  They do have a way of making our carefully laid plans completely worthless but I'm sure you and he will soon be best friends.  He just needs awhile to realize he's safe.
 
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countrycatlady

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Thanks for the info, your right that they do have a way with plans in the sense that they have no plan haha.

I sat a bit away from the hole and put out some warmed up turkey food, also tried catnip too, and he came to the home about an hour after but stopped when he saw me. I didn't move just calmly said his name and offered a treat but he just looked at me then went back to his hiding spot. I sat for another hour before he came to the entrance of the hole and repeated this.

He really didn't want to venture past the hole with me there. I ended up giving up after two and a half hours of calmly sitting.

Just got up to use the bathroom and didn't see him but some of the treats I left out were eaten and the catnip was disturbed. No use of the litter and food not touched, don't think he had any of the water either but it's hard to tell. At least he is venturing out still but it's beyond me how I'm going to get him out of that hole long enough to cover it. Crazy Christmas I'm having!
 
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countrycatlady

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Thanks for the info, your right that they do have a way with plans in the sense that they have no plan haha.

I sat a bit away from the hole and put out some warmed up turkey food, also tried catnip too, and he came to the home about an hour after but stopped when he saw me. I didn't move just calmly said his name and offered a treat but he just looked at me then went back to his hiding spot. I sat for another hour before he came to the entrance of the hole and repeated this.

He really didn't want to venture past the hole with me there. I ended up giving up after two and a half hours of calmly sitting.

Just got up to use the bathroom and didn't see him but some of the treats I left out were eaten and the catnip was disturbed. No use of the litter and food not touched, don't think he had any of the water either but it's hard to tell. At least he is venturing out still but it's beyond me how I'm going to get him out of that hole long enough to cover it. Crazy Christmas I'm having
 
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countrycatlady

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Update:he's out now after a very long and complex process... lots of waiting, security cameras and wet food lures allowed me to get the door closed so he couldn't get in that room with the hole.

My problem now is he is in my bedroom and under the bed, which I get cuz this is all scary for him... What should I be doing to make him come around and feel more comfortable?
 

SeventhHeaven

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 Congrats!  HAPPY you were able to out smart your new addition 
  you're both getting to know each other,  just give him space, 

you may want to offer food in the hallway or just leave it in the kitchen where he can roam to find food when hungry, if he knows the lay out of your home.... 

if you buy a lazer pointer you can use that from a distance they love chasing the Red Dot!! 

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-help-a-new-cat-adjust-to-your-home

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cats-and-hidden-dangers-in-the-home

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-make-your-home-and-garden-safe-for-your-cat

       clipping nails Catmantoo link

We would love to see a picture of this mysterious kitty of  yours 
 
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countrycatlady

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Well I thought I would add a photo and update!

He is one friendly fella but at one point he stopped eating altogether and became very lethargic. I obviously panicked and took him to the vet, after a bunch of tests and one very expensive bill (good thing for credit cards!) they found out he had pancreatitis! Poor guy :( so after taking pills for his inflamed bowels and pills for his pancreatitis and also antibiotics for an inflamed testicle (forgot to mention that, he was fixed at the shelter I got him but it seems he got an infection) he is doing better.

So he had a VERY rough start but is now eating, playing and wandering the house freely! He does hide when guests come but can be enticed out with food ;) He is such a lovely boy I hope we have no more scares with him!!!

 

arouetta

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I love those green eyes of his.
 

margd

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It sounds like he has figured out that home is a pretty nice place to be.  He's beautiful, too, with such a sweet face.  I hope you have many happy years together. 
 

kittylove14

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he is lovely! some of the best cats are amazing hiders. my little black cat was on top of my kitchen cupboards i will never forget it. i thought now how the heck am i gonna get him down we just met. but he's the sweetest and it sounds like you have success too.
 
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countrycatlady

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Lol yeah it's hard to even believe he was the shy hider I first had!

After another visit to the vet we found out he also had pancreatitis! He was pretty bad off, not eating and so lacking energy... But after a month and a half if treatment be got the all clear and has become such a vibrant and energetic fella! He comes running when I call for him and loves to cuddle and play with my other cats, I'm so happy to have him (and that I trusted my gut and took him back to the vet!)
 
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