Some cats love to hide. They may spend most of their time under the bed or behind furniture, especially when people are visiting your home. While hiding is a normal cat behavior, it could indicate that your cat is stressed or not feeling well. Plus, if your cat is always hiding, you might not get to interact with them much. So, why do cats hide under the bed and how can you help them come out of hiding?
Why Do Cats Hide?
Some cats hide frequently while others only hide in certain situations. Below are some common reasons you might see a cat hiding under beds and other furniture items.
1. Fear and Anxiety
Some cats hide because they’re scared or anxious. They could fear another pet in the house or a specific sound. If you can find out what your cat is afraid of and remove it, that could help your cat come out of hiding more often. However, if they’re scared of the family dog, you may need to take other measures, such as giving the two pets their own space until they get used to each other.
If your cat is anxious but not fearful of anything in particular, they may hide more often than not. Finding ways to reduce their anxiety can help them feel more comfortable out and about.
2. Sudden Changes
Changes in environment and/or routine could cause a cat to hide even if they’re not normally fearful. Moving to a new house or adding a new person or pet to the household could be a lot for your cat to take in. The unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells might make them hide until they have time to adjust to the changes.
A new cat hiding is normal because everything is unfamiliar to them. If you recently adopted your cat, give them time to decompress in their new home. They’ll come out of hiding when they’re ready.
3. Overstimulation
Loud sounds, crowded spaces, and strong smells could be overwhelming for cats, making them retreat to a hiding spot. This could occur if you’re hosting a party or if maintenance people are in your home. Like sudden changes, this type of hiding is usually temporary. Many cats will come back out once they feel relaxed again.
4. Pain, Illness, or Discomfort
Cats might hide when they’re not feeling their best. In the wild, showing signs of sickness would make them an easy target for predators. So, many cats hide their symptoms even in a home setting as a form of protection. If your cat doesn’t feel well, they may hide more often so you won’t see their discomfort. This is common in senior cats who may be dealing with joint pain.
If your cat is suddenly hiding a lot for seemingly no reason, schedule a vet visit just to be safe. It’s always a good idea to spot underlying health issues before they worsen.
How to Get a Cat Out of Hiding
As a cat lover, it may be tempting to cuddle and play with your cat as much as possible. Yet, you should never force them into those interactions. If your cat is hiding, give them space and let them come out when they feel ready.
Make sure you remove anything that could be scaring your cat, such as a loud sound, a vacuum, etc. You can use positive reinforcement to encourage your cat, such as giving them a treat whenever they leave their hiding spot. Yet, it’s important to remember that every cat is different. One might only hide in certain situations while another might hide frequently.
Ways to Make Cats More Comfortable in Your Home
To reduce the time your cat spends hiding, you should ensure your home is comfortable for them. Here are a few ways to make your cat feel safer.
Make Sure They Have Their Own Space
It might seem counterintuitive, but making sure your cat has cozy hiding places to retreat to can help them feel more comfortable and could cause them to hide less. Cats often hide because their hiding space makes them feel safe. So, provide your cat with plenty of safe spaces throughout your home. This could be cute little cat houses you buy or it could be a room that’s accessible to your cat but not kids and other pets.
When your cat is in a safe space, keep your distance. Don’t get too close to them or try to force them out. Once they realize that those hiding spots are places they can retreat to without anyone following them, they may feel more comfortable roaming around the house freely.
Stick to a Routine
Cats love knowing what to expect. So, stick to a consistent routine with their care. Feed them and play with them around the same times every day. Also, be mindful of your own routine. If you’re able to be home at consistent times daily, that could help your cat feel less stressed.
Remain Calm in Their Presence
Pets can be good at sensing when their humans are stressed. Even if you feel exhausted after a long day of work, take a deep breath and try to seem relaxed near your cat. If they sense a calming presence nearby, they may feel confident enough to emerge from their hiding spot.
Introduce Unfamiliar Things Slowly
Since change can stress cats out and cause them to hide, it’s important to go slow with new things. If you want to move furniture around, start by only moving a few items before completely rearranging everything. If you’re bringing a pet into the household, allow your cat to smell them through a door for a few days before having them meet face to face. Making gradual changes will help your cat feel more comfortable and accepting.
Provide Physical and Mental Stimulation
Cats can get bored just like humans can. If your cat isn’t getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, that could add to their stress levels and make them want to hide. Set aside some time each day to play with your cat to keep them active and entertained. Also, consider getting some puzzle toys, such as a toy you can hide treats in, so they can play on their own too.
When to Worry About Cat Hiding
Some cats like to hide occasionally. Hiding on its own isn’t a reason to worry. However, if your cat is suddenly hiding more frequently even though there aren’t any obvious changes in environment or routine, a health concern could be to blame.
If your cat’s hiding is out of the ordinary, take them in for a vet checkup just to be safe. For example, if your cat won’t eat and keeps hiding, that’s a cause for concern.
Let Your Cat Explore at Their Own Pace
It’s tempting to want to interact with your cat as much as possible, but we should never force our feline companions out of hiding. Now that you know the answer to “why do cats hide?”, you can better understand cat hiding. Pay attention to changes that could be worrying your cat and find ways to make them feel more comfortable. Letting them come out of hiding at their own pace is the best way to keep them content.