What Is My Cat's Purpose in Hiding?

Cats enjoy hiding in cardboard boxes and paper shopping bags, among other things. Hunkering down behind a coffee table or chair can be something your cat enjoys. Why do cats enjoy hiding so much, and how can you provide secure hiding places for your cat?

What Makes Cats Hide?

Because cats like to feel safe and secure, they like to be in enclosed locations such as under furniture and in cardboard boxes. Hide and seek is a natural behavior for cats. In the colder months, it can be patterned, such as sheltering near the water heater or laundry dryer. When a cat starts hiding a lot more, it's a cause for concern. A cat that is generally outgoing but is suddenly hiding more may be unwell, stressed, or fearful, or a mix of the three.

If your cat begins to hide more often, make sure they are eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom normally. If your cat isn't feeling well, they may begin to hide more, and any pain or discomfort they are experiencing may influence their eating and toilet routines. In cats, hiding more often due to a medical condition is called a non-specific symptom. This means that if your cat is hiding due to a medical issue, it could be caused by a variety of diseases. With the help of a comprehensive physical exam as well as tests like blood work and radiographs, your veterinarian may be able to narrow down the cause.

If your veterinarian can't detect anything wrong with your cat medically, it's possible that your cat's sudden desire to hide all the time is a true behavioral issue. Changes in the environment might cause stress in cats. Moving to a new house, bringing in new people or pets, or even altering furniture can all cause a cat to get stressed. It's entirely possible that one cat is bullying another cat in a home with multiple cats, and the bullied cat is hiding because they are afraid of being seen by the bully cat. Intercat violence is a problem that occurs rather frequently in multi-cat households. Cats, like dogs, can have noise phobias, so things like thunderstorms and fireworks may cause your cat to hide out of terror.

Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs such as amitriptyline, clomipramine, or fluoxetine if your cat is hiding more often due to stress or fear. Medications like Gabapentin can aid with stress relief during high-stress situations like vet visits, thunderstorms, fireworks displays, or travel. Medication isn't a permanent answer, as it isn't for most behavioral issues. Rather, they assist your cat in reducing stress as you jointly strive to reduce the stresses. Pheromone diffusers, such as Feliway, can help your home smell more cat-friendly. You won't be able to smell the diffuser, but the pheromone it emits has been shown to help cats relax. Allow your cat to become accustomed to new people in your home gradually.

How to Provide Your Cat with Safe Hideaways

Because hiding is a natural behavior for cats, rather than preventing your cat from hiding, it's preferable to provide safe hiding places for your cat. They won't be able to hide in dangerous places like the washer and dryer or under appliances. Most cats prefer to be elevated above the ground. As a result, providing warm hiding spots, such as a cat bed on a strong bookshelf or a cat tree with a built-in cube room, can be enticing.

Older cats may like hiding areas down low since they may be arthritic, even if they don't show it. This can comprise scratcher houses fashioned from cardboard boxes, either homemade or commercially produced, as well as their carrier.

In fact, keeping your cat's carrier out all the time with soft bedding inside can make it easier for you to take your cat to the vet when the time comes. It will be easier to place your cat in their carrier when it is time to go somewhere if they regard it as a safe hiding location.

Your cat's tendency to hide is quite natural. You only need to be concerned if they are hiding more frequently or in potentially dangerous situations. Speak to your veterinarian for more ideas on how to make safe hiding locations for your cat, as well as advice on when you should be concerned about your cat's hiding.

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