chloe is hiding from everyone

i am so stressed out right now. the baby is due next month and i just want everything to be perfect but chloe is hiding from everyone. she is a 3 year old domestic shorthair and usually very sweet but lately she just vanishes under the bed or in the closet. i worry that when the baby arrives she will be even more scared. how do i introduce her to a new household member without causing her too much stress? she hisses when i open the door and i feel so guilty.

omg i feel for you jess. my leo is a 1 year old bengal mix and he is basically a tornado. he is constantly shredding things and i am so anxious about whether he will behave when i am busy. i know stress can make cats act out. have you tried giving chloe a safe space that the baby won't be able to reach? i saw a thread about bandit hissing at the new kitten and it mentioned separation. maybe chloe needs a whole room to herself for a bit?

i am not sure if hiding is just stress or if something else is going on. my milo is a 2 year old british shorthair and he has been having patches of fur fall out recently. it turned out to be a skin issue, not just anxiety. i would check with your vet to make sure chloe is healthy first. sometimes cats hide because they are uncomfortable, not because they are scared of people. i am very anxious about skin things so i know the feeling of wondering what is wrong.

oh honey don't worry so much! my cleo is a 9 year old calico and she is very picky. she has dental issues and that makes her grumpy and quiet. i think you should make sure chloe has high places to climb to. my zeus is a 3 year old brown tabby and he loves his cat tree. if chloe can get up high and see the baby without being near him, she might feel safer. i put a blanket over her bed so it feels like a cave. that worked for us!

Chloe's behavior is likely a response to environmental changes. You mentioned the baby is due next month. The introduction should happen after the baby arrives, not before. Keep Chloe in a separate room with her own resources. Use pheromone diffusers. The goal is to let her associate the new presence with neutral or positive experiences, not fear. See leo shredding the house for ideas on keeping a cat occupied so they aren't focusing on the new arrival. Start with scent swapping.

thank you all. i will ask the vet about health first. i think the separate room idea is good but i am worried she will miss me. i spend a lot of time with her. how long should she stay in that room? i feel like i am failing her by keeping her away from the baby even though the baby is not here yet. i just want her to be okay.

she will not miss you if she is safe. i keep leo in my bedroom when i am working because he gets destructive if he is loose. it takes time. i think the answer depends on how sensitive chloe is and how the home setup is. if you have a spare room, use it. if not, maybe a large crate? i am not sure. i just know i am so tired of cleaning up after leo.