11 April 2023
Why is Your Cat Hiding
Cats are elusive and peculiar pets at the best of times, especially those who spend most of their time outside. But one thing many new cat owners can become confused by is a cats habit of finding the smallest possible space to squeeze into and hiding in there. In this blog, we discuss some of the main reasons your cat is hiding and what you can do to help.
Contents:
Why Do Cats Hide?
Cats feel most safe when they are in small and enclosed spaces, which is why many cat trees and hideaways include small spaces they can squeeze their way into to relax or hide. In other cases, cats hide under beds, on top of wardrobes or in other spaces they can find.
While cats feel safest and most secure when they’re in a small space, there are a number of reasons your cat may be hiding, including:
- They feel threatened or agitated
- They are trying to find somewhere warm or quiet to nap
- They are feeling unwell
- They are afraid
- They are feeling playful and waiting to pounce
It’s important to remember that just because your cat is hiding, it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. Some cats simply like to hide somewhere quiet and secluded while they nap, even if that spot is under your bed.
Why Do Cats Hide When They Are Sick?
Like many other animals, cats hide when they’re sick as a means to protect themselves. This is likely an evolutionary trait that has survived the years, and your cat is hiding to ensure no predators or threats can get to them while they’re vulnerable.
If your cat is hiding more than usual, it’s important to try and find out if an illness is the cause. An illness in cats is usually joined by other symptoms depending on the illness, such as:
- Other behavioural changes (not playing, lethargy, etc.)
- Changes in their appetite
- Vomting and/or diarrhoea
- Changes in skin and coat conditions (flaky skin, hair loss, over or under-grooming, etc.)
- And more.
If you think your cat is sick, then it’s crucial you have them seen by a vet as soon as possible. As well as hiding, cats may downplay their illness so as not to appear weak, so it’s important to have them checked as many conditions are easier to treat when caught early.
Why do New Cats Hide?
As we’ve established, cats hide to help themselves feel more secure. This is why when your first bring a new cat home they’re likely to dart under the first piece of furniture they can find. This is perfectly normal. Cats are creatures of habit and can be easily overwhelmed by sudden changes to their environment and even things as mundane as travelling in the car can be enough to worry them.
If your new cat is hiding, the best thing you can do is leave them be and shut off any other traffic into the room where they’ve hidden for a period to allow them to settle. This is why it’s recommended you set up a space for your new cat away from the rest of the home for the period they’re adjusting and employ a cat anxiety aid such as the Feliway Optimum to help them feel safe.
You can find out more about helping a new cat settle in our blog below.
How long will a cat hide in a new home?
How long your cat will hide is hard to know as it depends entirely on your cat’s individual temperament. Some cats will hide for a couple of hours, while others may hide for days or even a week or two before they feel comfortable to come out and explore.
Try to be patient. Joining a home can be a stressful time for a cat and they’ll come out when they’re ready.
Where Should You NOT Let Cats Hide
Most of the hiding place a cat chooses will be relatively harmless for them and so they should be left to spend as much time there as they need without intervention. That said, there are some parts of the home where you shouldn’t let your cat hide for their own safety, including:
- Washing machines or dryers
- Under cars or in car wheel arches (this is a popular spot for outdoor cats, so you should always check your car's wheels before driving if you have a cat)
- Garden sheds, especially ones with chemicals or tools as they can be dangerous to your cat
- Air vents or chimneys
- Wood burning stoves
The best way to prevent your cat from hiding in any of these places is by restricting their access from the get-go so they aren’t tempted. You can do this by either keeping your pet away from that particular room, by putting up barriers, or by offering them safe alternatives like cat hideaways, tunnels or even a cardboard box.
How to Get a Cat Out of Hiding
Once a cat has found a hiding space, it can be hard to draw them out of it. It’s their safe space, after all. However, if your cat has chosen somewhere unsafe to hide, then getting them out as quickly and safely as possible is a must. You can do this by:
- Speaking to them in a calm and soothing voice
- Offering treats or food
- Offering toys
It’s important that you don’t try and physically drag a cat out of hiding as this can result in injury to both your cat and you as well as causing a lot of unnecessary stress. If you’re concerned about your cat hiding, try and be patient. Many times, cats will come out in their own time if they’re left alone.
It can be very stressful if your cat is hiding, especially if you think they might be ill, but it’s important to remember this is a perfectly natural behaviour, and, more often than not, your cat will come out on their own terms.
If you’ve recently welcomed a new cat into your home and you’d like to help them settle, why not browse our range of cat calming aids to help them feel right at home? Or get in touch with us, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.
