Desperate for help- is my cat in danger or is he just hiding

Please be patient with me. I’m from Malaysia not very good with English. I bought home 1 year old Exotic shorthair yesterday -25 Dec 2004. I named him Hugo. At the pet shop, he struggles hard to escape, freaked out and panic when attempt to place him in his carrier so that I could bring Hugo back to his new home.

Finally I reached home with Hugo felling so happy and excited. Everything was prepared for his home coming. I opened the carrier immediately he rushed out hiding under my kitchen top. I left him alone hiding as I understand Hugo needs time to adjust. An hour later excited to take a peep, I was shock I couldn’t find him anywhere. There no way could he have gotten out as the door and windows were shut. To my surprised, I didn't know/realise there was a very small hole below my kitchen top. Hugo is hiding there an looked freez.

My problem is. Hugo is far beyond my reach. No way could I reach him unless I have to break apart my entire kitchen top. (hard to explain why it not reachable) I’m worried and wonder if he is able to free himself. To me, it seems he is stuck. Not moving at all. I can only see his two legs on the floor.(as in sitting. with his two hands on wall. I think the hole is not wide enough for him to position himself comfortably)

My questions are:
1)Is it true if a cat can crawl in a very small hole they can crawl out despite how difficult it would be?
2)Do all cats call for help if they are in danger/stuck? I’m not sure if he is stuck or still hiding because he doesn’t meows or moves at all. I left him alone knowing if he is hungry he will eventually comes out.
3)How long can a cat hide without coming out for food or drink?
4)Would a cat starve to their own death? To be exact, it is already 22 hours and he is still in the hole. Notice this morning he has changed his positioned gave me a relieved knowing he is still alive. But his food is still left untouched.

Thank you.

Stressed out,
Bionca

 

Hi Bionca, and welcome to the forum

Sounds like you're in a difficult situation... I'm not an expert on kitty behaviour, but I know cats are very flexible, ecpecialy when they are so young. Hopefully your Hugo is just very, very scared, and will come out soon. But 22 hours is a long time, maybe someone else here can tell you how long it takes for a cat to get dehydrated, I have no idea... If the situation turns out to be critical (dehydration is very serious) I would take down the kitchen cabinets, it could save his life.

Good luck! :y_the_best:

 

i too would be pulling that kitchen apart. even if he is not stuck, he needs to get out to eat and drink. are you actually living in malaysia? if so i hope everything is fine, ive just heard about the tsunami.

 

:m23: and welcome Bionca! I agree with others and would do everything I can to get Hugo out. He needs to eat and drink or he will go downhill fast. After you get him out, maybe you can confine him in a small room like a bedroom or the bathroom so he'll adjust better and be less overwhelmed. It's possible they can crawl out on their own but he maybe stuck and unable to do so. They may not be vocal when they are stuck and in trouble. A cat can hide forever and die of dehydration and starvation. It's happened to other cats that get stuck in heating vents and holes in walls. Good luck getting him out and keep us posted on his condition.

 

Hi Bente & Kylie,
Yes I'm actually residing in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Thank guys for replying my post. It’s sure nice to know there are people out there who care and share the same concern with me.

Now would be 28 hours he is still hiding or stuck there. Still no cries of help from Hugo. I have sleepless night yesterday. Don’t think I can sleep today too. Prayed so hard, hopefully Hugo is just freaked out and would calm down soon. I made him fresh salmon today but failed to tempt him.

Some friends told me to leave Hugo alone as he is going thru shock and tearing down cabinets would makes matter worst assuring me he will eventually come out.

Today is Sunday, no contractor is willing to come. I’m willing to take down the cabinets, but my biggest fear is, would Hugo able to handle the loud drilling and banging in order to dismantle cabinets. What happen if he traumatized by the loud sound and live in fear for the rest of his life. Questions kept running in my head over and over again. To tear down or not to

Confused,
Bionca

 

Cats are very resilient. They will get over their initial fears once they bond with you and they will bond. My Monty was a scaredy cat and hid for the first 2 weeks when we got him. He did eat and drink as we confined him to a bed room. He would hide in closets or behind our stove and my hubby would sweep him out with a broom. Nowadays, he's our most loving cat! Take apart the cabinets and get him out! Good luck! BTW, I used to have 2 good friends in college who came from Malaysia. Unfortunately they went back home and we lost touch. :cry: Your country is gorgeous with very strict laws. LOL's. :mrgreen:

 

Any updates? Did you get Hugo out of his hiding place? :wink:

 

Hi. I hope it all works out for you. I would be very worried, too. I'd love to hear an update (and hopefully a good one). I haven't been online for a few days, so I think this post may be a few days old, now.

(And I am sorry to hear what happened with the tidal wave / earthquake)... I hope all is well.

 

Hugo's update - share my joy :O

Clap Clap Clap . HORRAY…….. I managed to free Hugo yesterday. It was such a relieved. Sorry I should have update you guys yesterday but I was too mentally tired. I didn’t have a restful sleep for the passed 2 days and finally yesterday I slept like a baby. He wasn’t trap, just hiding. How I managed to pull him out? Gee…. it was a long story. I now confine him in a toilet. Anyway, Hugo still refused to eat and drink yet. I had to slowly feed him. The vet advised that I give him Felovite II ( a palatable vitamin mineral supplement) to boost his energy and appetite. Of cos it wasn’t easy to give him vitamin. I applied it on Hugo’s paws . He had no choice but to lick it. :mrgreen: Same goes to food, I have to soften his biscuits with water and place it on his paw. Although he only ate a teaspoon, it’s a good start. Today Hugo is more relax with me today and I’m very happy. His meal for today chicken broth.

About Tsunamis. Malaysia was not badly affected. Compared to neighboring countries, like Indonesia and Thailand.

Thank again guys for sharing your concern and advice.

Meow meow..
Bionca.

 

great news! Love to see some pics if you have :m7:

 

I'm so glad Hugo is free. It sounds like you are giving him a lot of love and attention. Exactly what he needs.

Keep us posted on how Hugo is doing. Would like to see pictures, too.

 

Yeah for Hugo! I hope he's eating better now and more at ease at your home.

 

Oh that's such a relief. That poor baby. I'm equally glad to hear that you are ok (Tsunami). Don't dissappear on us now that the crisis is over! Post often and most importantly, post pics!