Why do cats hide?

cat-hiding

There are many cats to which they like to hide, this behavior is completely normal in them, although we can ask ourselves why do cats hide? Cats are so complex that they will never stop surprising us with their behavior, one of the reasons why they hide is simply because they want to have space and a place where nobody finds them and bothers them.

It can also happen that at home there are strangers or people who do not know and choose to hide away from the gaze of 'intruders', and it is like those people who at certain times seek to disappear 'off the map' so as not to be disturbed. It is a completely normal act, therefore we should not worry if our cat hides from time to time.

Why and where are they hiding?

Cats are experts at hiding

There are times when the cat feels insecure and also wants to hide. Find a shelter and you will come out when you feel safe again. Also, if you have noticed that your cat hides, he will always do so in a place where he himself does not lose the perspective of being able to observe.

Places where you can hide? They love the soft places like blankets and rugs. Some are even able to get between the sheets of the bed, a very strategic hiding place only that you will always see the bulge. The boxes, getting into the closet between the clothes, are the places they usually look to hide.

Cats love heightsTherefore, do not be surprised if your cat climbs on top of the closet, if he can do it, or on any piece of furniture that is high enough for him to observe the entire room and control.

We simply have to be careful that those hiding places you are looking for are not dangerous for them. Therefore, if you see that one day your cat has disappeared, call him and look for him as if you were playing hide-and-seek. You will surely find it in a place completely out of the ordinary.

Why do cats hide when they are sick?

When a cat is sick it is normal for him to hide in a corner where he cannot be disturbed. This is so out of sheer survival instinct. And it is that, although at home he is not in danger, if today he continued living abroad, he would have to do everything possible so that his possible predators did not see him or feel weak.

One of the laws of nature is that only the strongest, the best adapted survive. The rest perish. For this reason, as soon as its health weakens, the feline will look for a place where it can rest and recover until it improves.

Why do cats hide under the bed?

It is very likely that you are afraid, such as if you are new to the home, or if you are being harassed by another cat, dog ... or human. It could also be that you are sick, or that you just want to stay there to rest.

As you can see, there are several possible reasons, so there is no other than to know what happened, why and, from there, help the cat if necessary.

Cat scared for no reason

Adult cat with green eyes

A cat cannot be frightened for no reason, the same way that a person or any other animal cannot be. What happens in these cases is that the human family does not know why it is like this.

If we live with a cat like this, scary or shy, it may be that it has had a difficult past, it is not receiving all the care it needs (in addition to the basics, also love and respect), it is new to the house, or because it is a animal whose character is that.

Depending on the reason, you will have to act one way or another. For example:

  • Difficult past: cats that have been abused, abandoned, ... well, that have had a bad time, even if they are going to pass into very good hands, they usually need a long time to recover. But with a lot of respect, patience, and affection (and some cat treats 😉) very positive results are being achieved.
  • You do not receive all the necessary care: Cats are living beings, and therefore they need water and food, but also a safe and comfortable place to live. If your space is not respected, if your body language is ignored, if you are ignored, or if you are forced to do something you do not want, you can become skittish, so let's avoid it.
  • It's new at home: if it is recently adopted, it is normal for it to hide in any corner of the house. Little by little, as you gain confidence, it will come out. Let's give it time.
  • It's scary in itself: sometimes we come across cats that are being well cared for but are shy or skittish. For example, two of my cats are like this. They hide when someone unknown comes, and nothing happens. The only thing is that with these cats you have to be especially careful with doors and windows; leave them tightly closed.

My adopted cat is hiding, is it normal?

Completely. Until he leaves behind his own body odor (rubbing his body against furniture and so on) and until he begins to feel safe in his new home and with his new family, he will stay hidden.

As the days or weeks go by, you will see him more confident.

My cat hides and I can't find it, what do I do?

Who has not ever entered your home expecting to find the cat behind the door but has been disappointed? The worst thing is that when you call him over and over again and he doesn't answer. Then you start looking for everything: under the furniture, in the chairs, inside the closet, ... but there is no way to find it.

To do? For these cases the quickest thing is to take a can of wet cat food, and call him with a very cheerful tone of voice. What I do is say: »little tin, who wants little tin?». Yes, »latita» is the magic word 😉. From so much saying it, it has not been difficult for them to associate that word with the wet food that I give them.

And they leave right away, often from unexpected places or places where they have supposedly already looked.

But if you're not lucky like that, really, look in the cabinets just in case, or on the inside of the sofa. It is very rare that they do not go when wet food is offered.

If you suspect that he is not in the house, first of all calm. Find out what could have happened, and only if you are sure it is abroad, go looking for it. I tell you this because one of my cats, Sasha, is not a cat that meows (only when she is interested in me giving her something). No matter how much you call her, she doesn't pay any attention to you. More than once it has worried me, thinking that I would be on the street, but then, at the last moment when despair begins to surface, it appears on the stairs as if nothing had happened, looking at me with a face of »what is it? ».

So that, do not worry ... until you are clear that there are reasons to worry 🙂. Cats are experts at hiding, and at making their family suffer as well. As you live with them, you will get to know them more and better; although you should know that the safest thing is that they never stop surprising you.

Certain fruits and vegetables do not react well to cats
Related article:
How to get a cat out of hiding?

Why is my cat hiding food?

You may have seen or heard that dogs hide their food to eat later. Well, they are not the only ones. Cats can hide it too, especially when they live with cat companions.

Although they get along well with each other, it is common for them to hide it. They do it for, again, pure instinct. If they don't, someone else might eat their food, which of course they won't allow.

Do cats play hide and seek?

It's not that they play, it's that they are teachers. They are stealthy, agile, they have a relatively small body ... Anyway, you can have them right in front of you and not even know it.

I hope it has been useful to you 🙂.


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      agatha said

    my cat hides behind the refrigerator and the oven xD

      Alexandra said

    My cat I brought him to my house today, he lived with his mother ... my cat is 2 months old and when I brought him he hid high ... he does not want to eat or relieve himself ... how do I make him no longer hide or trust me and your home? ... Help me please?

         Monica sanchez said

      Hi Alexandra.
      It is normal for you to feel very insecure and distrustful at first.
      But if you invite him to play (with a rope for example), occasionally give him treats for cats or cans (wet food for kittens), little by little he will calm down
      En this article You have more information.
      A greeting.

      Sandra said

    My cat hid was very friendly, what if I eliminated her hiding place?

         Monica sanchez said

      Hello Sandra.
      Well, it will become much more insecure and could attack.
      I do not recommend eliminating its hiding place: it needs it to be able to relax.
      A greeting.