To help a shy cat, there’s one thing you need more than anything else: patience.

If you’ve ever tried to help a shy cat come out of her shell, you know how frustrating it can be. You think, ‘Once I take this new kitty home, she’ll love it here!’. The truth is that cats don’t always adjust quickly to their new surroundings. A shy cat may remain in hiding for weeks or months (in some extreme cases, years).

Why Won’t My Shy Cat Come Out Of Hiding?

Why is it that cats hide when in a new home? Maybe you just adopted a cat you were told was ‘friendly’, or you’ve moved to a new location with your cat. Either way, your cat is confused by the new sights and smells around them.

Cats identify each other with their sense of smell, so it makes sense that they would identify other things this way. If your new home smells completely different, that’s a big deal to Miss Kitty. The unfamiliar is considered dangerous until proven otherwise, so how can you ease your cat into this transition?

How To Help A Shy Cat In A New Home

When we first brought Tippy and Misha home, Misha didn’t come out of my sister’s room for nearly a week. She stayed in the same room for seven days, hiding under the bed. How did we get her to come out? The answers are surprisingly simple. I’m going to tell you what I did to help her.

These tips are based mostly on my experience. I am by no means an expert, but I do have a way with cats. If you have any suggestions that have worked for you, make sure to leave a comment after reading this article!

Make Your Home Feel Like Home

Give your cat or kitten an environment that they’re used to. If you recently adopted a cat from a shelter, simulating that environment can help them feel more comfortable. Cat rooms in shelters are often noisy, with lots of cat furniture and plentiful litter boxes, so start there.

To help Misha and Tippy, I brought my computer into the room they were in and played cat sounds (meowing and purring). You can find these types of soundclips on YouTube quite easily. Tippy was really curious, and it didn’t take long for her to come out and investigate.

If you’ve just moved into a new home, keep your cat in one room with their favorite belongings until they get used to it. This will 1) let you know exactly where they are, and 2) give your cat a space where they can spread their scent. Put any beds, blankets and toys with their scent on them in the room with your cat. The familiar smell will assist in putting your cat at ease.

Spend Time With Your Cat

You can help a shy cat just by being near them and spending time with them. You don’t need to interact — just be there.

Misha wasn’t lured out by the cat sounds, so I took a different approach with her. I needed to earn her trust, and the way to do that was to prove I wasn’t a threat. For several days, I spent a few hours in the room with her. I would read a book or watch videos on YouTube; I didn’t attempt to pet her until several days in, and before that, I always let her sniff my hand first.

Use slower movements. Don’t rush or run around the room, but don’t go TOO slow either (it’ll look like you’re trying to sneak up on them). Just keep your movements relaxed and moderate. Try not to make direct eye contact, as staring can be considered aggression in the cat world.

Use Kitty Pheromones

Pheromones are found in your cat’s facial glands and are used to mark their territory. Synthetic pheromones, such as Comfort Zone with Feliway, are used to help acclimatize your cat to their surroundings.

Synthetic pheromones comes in two forms: a spray or a diffuser. The sprays are great for carriers and other places like your car where you can’t use a diffuser. We use the Comfort Zone spray to calm our cats on the way to the vet. Pheromones don’t always work, as every cat is different, but it’s worth a try.

Try using pheromones in the room where you are keeping your cat first. You may only need to use pheromones initially, but some cats require constant use of them.

Above All, Be Kind, Be Gentle

What helped me the most in helping my shy cat come out of her shell was patience and kindness.

Here are a few rules of thumb for being patient/kind:

• Never force your cat to do anything they don’t want to do
• NEVER yell or react in anger, even when they do something naughty
• Use positive reinforcement to train your cat (treats, praise, etc.)
• Exercise a gentle touch, and only do it when your cat wants to be touched
• Give them their own space that they can be comfortable in (a room, cat tree, covered cardboard box, etc.) and respect that space
• Tell them that you love them — cats may not understand your words, but they know the feeling you’re trying to communicate — CATS FEEL LOVE!

Do you have a shy cat? How have these tips helped your shy cat come out of her shell? Do you have any tips for others? Leave a comment below and start a conversation!

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