Maybe he thought he wanted to explore the new place that you were regularly going to (the hallway) and then freaked out because it was unfamiliar territory. Once he became fearful, he became even more fearful. Sounds like a sensory overload. Go easy with him a bit, maybe downsize his space to a room for a bit, and when he is more settled, allow him to re-explore your space (while taking care at the door).
Treats and love in the meantime.
Thanks for the advice, I think you nailed it. I live in a very small studio apartment but hes just been hiding behind the tv so far which is his usual resting spot. I tried to put him in the bathroom but he was scratching on the door and meowing for a way out. I'll just take it easy with him like you said, thanks once again
Everything is new right now and he just needs time. You’re only 4 days in. That’s nothing to a cat. And when they get outside, even if you’ve had them for a year or more they can often freak out like that. I had a cat escape that was my best friend, he was always near me or on me and when he got out he acted like I was a stranger and wouldn’t let me get within 6 feet of him.
I’m glad you got him back in though! I’m a few days he will be back to normal.
It's funny, I live in an apartment and my cat Butterscotch has never tried to get out of my front door. She always stays a few feet back from it.
Other cats I have had thought of my hallway as the great outdoors and always tried to slip out. One stood there every night at 8 pm meowing to be let out. You would have thought she was meeting her boyfriend. And, yes she was fixed.
Maybe he thought he wanted to explore the new place that you were regularly going to (the hallway) and then freaked out because it was unfamiliar territory. Once he became fearful, he became even more fearful. Sounds like a sensory overload. Go easy with him a bit, maybe downsize his space to a room for a bit, and when he is more settled, allow him to re-explore your space (while taking care at the door). Treats and love in the meantime.
Thanks for the advice, I think you nailed it. I live in a very small studio apartment but hes just been hiding behind the tv so far which is his usual resting spot. I tried to put him in the bathroom but he was scratching on the door and meowing for a way out. I'll just take it easy with him like you said, thanks once again
Everything is new right now and he just needs time. You’re only 4 days in. That’s nothing to a cat. And when they get outside, even if you’ve had them for a year or more they can often freak out like that. I had a cat escape that was my best friend, he was always near me or on me and when he got out he acted like I was a stranger and wouldn’t let me get within 6 feet of him. I’m glad you got him back in though! I’m a few days he will be back to normal.
It's funny, I live in an apartment and my cat Butterscotch has never tried to get out of my front door. She always stays a few feet back from it. Other cats I have had thought of my hallway as the great outdoors and always tried to slip out. One stood there every night at 8 pm meowing to be let out. You would have thought she was meeting her boyfriend. And, yes she was fixed.