A hiding cat can be triggered by all sorts of occurrences. 
It probably seems that you see your cat all day everyday until you actually need him to come. He may have a
veterinarian appointment or there may be an emergency and you need to get the cat and leave. But whatever the reason, a hiding cat can be nuisance and be very difficult to find.
Cats hide for various reasons. For example, your cat may run and hide at a loud sound, upon seeing their cage, when strangers arrive, at the introduction of another animal or any other time they feel threatened or vulnerable. On the other hand, a cat could just be plain unsociable or shy so they hide all the time.
A hiding cat is common but can make things difficult when you actually need to locate the cat. Indoor cats are a bit easier to find considering there are only so many places they could be. For example, in the closets, under the bed, under the stairs, on top of a shelf, under the covers and just about anywhere else in the house is where you might find a hiding cat. Take note of the places you locate him or her. This way, in the future, you will save a lot of time.
A hiding cat that stays outside it is a bit trickier to locate if they don’t want to be located. 
Do they have a favorite tree? Have you shaken their box of
food to entice them into the house? Scoured the neighborhood calling their name? Sometimes you have to wait a while for them to come home. But if for some reason your cat has missed a meal or two and still not been home, then you may need to go looking. He could be stuck in a tree or even worse, missing or in danger.
Lastly, if you feel that your hiding cat may be having some emotional problems, then you need to see a vet immediately. It may be that you adopted this pet and they were abused in the past. Careful actions and some quality tender love and care may be the key to breaking this cat out of their shell. No matter what your cat’s past, you must always be patient and understanding with them. A hiding cat may be irritating for you but if you implement the right techniques and a little extra love, you may be able to limit the amount of running and hiding your kitty has to do.
