Why does your cat hide under the porch when a car pulls into the driveway?

Answer 1

That is normal. Most cats run and hide when strangers enter their home. Cats are notoriously averse to change of any kind. Anything new or strange frightens them. This is why you can't take a cat for walks on a leash. It's not fun for them like it is for dogs. All the strange sights and smells terrify them. Cats like peace and quiet and consistency.

Unlike dogs, cats also are not social animals. They're not completely solitary (most get depressed if they are left alone all day), but they are not eager to meet new people like dogs are.

To cats, a strange person is a wild card. They don't know if you could be a threat or not. So they run and hide until they've had some time to assess the situation. They wait and they listen, and after awhile, if everything seems peaceful enough, they'll come out and investigate.

The investigation goes like this: they go into the room where you are, and sit and watch you awhile from a safe distance. If you seem harmless (if you are quiet and non-aggressive and don't make too many sudden movements) they'll go up and sniff you and let you pet them. If you stay there long enough, the cat will probably end up on your lap.

If you are loud and aggressive and make a lot of sudden movements, then they will decide you're not safe and will usually retreat again. This is why people who don't like cats are always complaining that cats won't leave them alone. That is precisely the reason cats like them: because they leave them alone.

Cats don't want a strange person coming up to them and trying to pet them or play with them. To them, that is aggressive, threatening behavior. They want to be left alone while they decide whether they want you to pet them or play with them.

There are exceptions, of course. Occasionally I see someone out walking their cat in the park (or in Times Square) and the cat is fine. And my male cat is super-friendly. He loves people and he never runs and hides when strange people come to the house. He greets everyone who comes through my door. But that is rare. Most cats are not so gregarious.

Answer 2

A big noisy car is frightening to a tiny cat with only four legs. Loud noises and huge things are scary.

Even if your cat has seen the car before, it only recognizes the noise. It is better to keep kitties indoors

so they do not get hurt.

Answer 3

Not all cats hide when their owner leaves the house. However, for the ones who do, it is obviously because they are somewhat afraid of being alone.