fearful cat hides from guests and vacuum

My cat hides under the bed whenever there are guests over or when I use the vacuum cleaner. He’s not like this when it’s just us at home, but he gets really tense and cowers in the corner.

I know I wrote up the details of the vet visit and the history of what we've tried in this thread so I don't have to repeat it all here. I'm just so overwhelmed right now because the baby is due next month and I feel like I'm failing her. She's already shy, and I worry she's going to get even more stressed with all the new people and noise. How do I balance everything?

Start with the vacuum. Do not turn it on near her. Let her investigate the off unit. Feed near it. This is standard desensitization. If she cowers, you are moving too fast. Check this thread for a step-by-step on introducing appliances to anxious cats. It's better to go slow than force it.

omg jess I feel you. My Salsa is a total mess right now because of the fleas, so I can't even imagine adding a baby to the mix. But my Rango is also shy and he hates when my friends come over. I just let them ignore him for the first 10 mins. No petting, no talking to him. Just let him exist. It helps a lot. Have you seen this thread about guests? It has some good tips on giving them a safe zone.

Oh honey, take a deep breath! You are not failing her. My Coco is 14 and has hip issues so she's not exactly the most active, but she gets anxious when the house is loud. I use pheromone diffusers in the main rooms. It takes a few days to kick in, but it really calms her down. You should try that before the baby arrives. Also, have you looked at this thread about preparing for a new baby? It has a checklist for setting up a quiet room for the cat.

The silence is so heavy when the vacuum starts. Sophie (5 dsh) does the same thing. I think it's the vibration more than the sound. I try to keep my voice low and move slowly around the house when I'm cleaning. It's a dance, really. I also make sure she has a high perch that she can access easily. If she can see the 'threat' from above, she feels safer. Maybe Chloe needs a similar escape route?

Thanks everyone. The diffuser idea sounds good, I'll order one today. And I will definitely check that guest thread, I think I've been trying to force her to come out instead of letting her hide. The baby is due in about 5 weeks so I have time, but I'm nervous. I'll try the vacuum training with food as Eric suggested.