Yes. Hiding in an unfamiliar home is common. Your cat is surrounded by new sounds and smells, and a safe refuge gives them control. Leave them there and check whether they are eating, drinking and using the litter box, even if those activities happen when you are not in the room. Pulling them out usually increases their fear.
Give your cat control over distance
Provide a quiet room with a comfortable hiding place, water, food and a separate litter box. Do not move them from a safe box simply to make them “get used to” the house. If they have chosen a dangerous, inaccessible gap, offer safer refuges and seek advice about moving them without a chase. Ask children and visitors to leave the hiding place alone.
You can sit in the room, read or speak quietly at a distance. Let the cat approach first. If they accept food or play, end the interaction before they become uncomfortable. The ability to retreat is part of building trust.
Look for small signs of progress
Food disappearing, litter-box use, signs of overnight exploration, grooming and short trips out of hiding all count. Some cats begin to explore only after the household is asleep. Do not measure settling in solely by willingness to be stroked. One cat may take longer than another while still making progress.
Consider the whole body. A crouched cat with sideways ears and very wide pupils may need more space. A relaxed cat that approaches, sniffs and rubs against objects may be gaining confidence. One posture alone cannot tell the full story; context matters.
When hiding needs professional advice
Contact a veterinarian if you cannot confirm that your cat is eating, if they are not using the litter box, seem weak or painful, vomit, or become less well. Straining to urinate is an emergency. If intense fear continues without gradual improvement, ask for help: illness, the environment or conflict with another animal may be involved.
Avoid punishment and improvised remedies. The aim is not to make the cat appear immediately, but to help them meet their needs and feel safe enough to choose contact. The wider first-day adoption guide explains how to keep the rest of the home calm while your cat settles.
Sources consulted
This guide provides general information. If your pet has symptoms, pain or a sudden change in behaviour, speak to a veterinarian. Read our editorial policy.