Can't find my kitten anywhere in my flat

A
Amandinef Icon representing the flag French
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Hello everyone,

I'm coming to you because I'm absolutely beside myself with worry.

Yesterday morning I adopted a very timid four-month-old female kitten.

I live in a one-room studio flat of about 400 sq ft, so she had the run of the main room (living room/bedroom) from the moment she arrived. She spent the entire day huddled in her carrier, watching my every move.

At 11pm I decided to go to bed — she still hadn't budged. About an hour later I woke up with that horrible sensation of having touched something with my foot. Sure enough, when I turned the light on, I saw she'd left her carrier and done a poo on my bed. I cleaned it up and tried to find her... but she was nowhere to be seen. This morning I think I heard her miaow around 6am, and since then, nothing. Several times throughout the day I've turned the whole flat upside down — checked behind, underneath, and on top of every piece of furniture, including the 4-inch gaps behind the wardrobes and kitchen units. I can't find her anywhere.

It looks like she barely touched her dry food overnight, and I'm really worried because I just can't figure out where she could have gone. I didn't go out at all, and the few seconds when I opened the shutters I'm certain she didn't slip out. Rationally, she has to be in the flat — but I simply cannot find her. I'm at a complete loss. This is my first cat and I feel utterly helpless. I'm scared she might starve herself. Will she eventually come out of her hiding spot on her own?

Translated from French
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    • A
    Amandinef Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for your replies.

    It's a small flat, so there aren't many pieces of furniture to search through. I've completely emptied the cupboard under the sink and she wasn't there either!

    I don't have any tuna in the house, but I've left a little pile of dry food to see if she eats any. I did the same yesterday and this morning it seemed like the pile had gone down. I'll go and buy some tuna tomorrow. I've also ordered some Feliway in the hope that it’ll give her a bit more confidence, but I won't have that until tomorrow either.

    I've checked the sofa thoroughly because that's where I sleep; I was terrified of crushing her in the mechanism!

    I'm still going to check if there are any linings I might have missed and have another look around the kitchen units.

    I've even emptied the laundry basket and my wardrobes. I feel so bad knowing that I'm scaring her enough to make her disappear like this...

    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, The kitten is inside the flat, and that’s the main thing. It’s very unlikely she’s actually stuck and unable to move in a flat. A nervous kitten looking for a hiding spot will always find one. For example, in the springs under the sofa, behind the fridge, or behind a heavy piece of furniture (like a bookcase) that you would’ve sworn didn't have enough space to squeeze behind, etc., etc. She’s bound to be hungry, so the best thing is to lure her out with some very smelly food. Tinned tuna often works wonders. You can put the bowl of tuna in the living room while making a big deal out of it – say something like 'YUM YUM, LOVELY FOOD!' to catch her ear, and then her nose. Spread the tuna out evenly so it’s easier to tell if she’s had a nibble. Then, go and hide in the loo for a good half hour or so, without making a sound. Please keep us posted and, above all, take a book with you into the loo; it could be a long wait... As far as I know, no healthy kitten will ever let themselves starve.
    Translated from French
    D
    Del2244 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, Have you checked INSIDE the sofa? A few missing staples or a small tear in the fabric lining underneath is all it takes for a kitten to squeeze through. Other possibilities: behind a pile of clothes or behind books on a shelf, or in a chest of drawers (there’s often a gap between the back of the unit and the drawers, so if they can get underneath, they can get inside). If she isn't stuck in her hiding place, she’ll come out sooner or later for some food.
    Translated from French
    K
    Kelinda Icon representing the flag French
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    You need to look everywhere – check every drawer, even right at the back. Have a proper look through all the furniture and even the fridge; mine was actually hiding at the back near the compressor. Under the sink as well, just check absolutely everywhere. You’re bound to find them eventually!
    Translated from French

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