My cat has been hiding under the bed and won't come out for 2 days. She usually is very social. Should I be worried?
A normally social cat that suddenly hides for 2 days is showing a significant behavior change that warrants attention. Cats hide when they are stressed, in pain, or feeling ill. Common causes include a new stressor in the environment (new pet, new baby, visitors, construction noise, moved furniture), pain from an injury or illness that you may not be able to see externally, urinary blockage (especially in male cats — this is a life-threatening emergency), upper respiratory infection (check for sneezing, watery eyes, or nasal discharge), or dental pain. Gently check on your cat without forcing her out. Place food, water, and a litter box near her hiding spot. Observe whether she is eating, drinking, and using the litter box. Check for visible signs of illness: discharge from eyes or nose, drooling, labored breathing, or sensitivity when touched. If she is not eating or drinking for more than 24 hours, is having difficulty breathing, is straining in the litter box without producing urine, or has any other concerning symptoms, take her to the vet. A cat that hides and stops eating is telling you something is wrong — cats are very good at masking illness until it becomes serious.
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