5 Things to Learn About The Hiding Behaviour in Cats

Cats hide for several reasons and this feline behavior is completely normal. Most people think it has something to do with bad behavior and sometimes even depression. On the contrary, cats are naturally inclined towards hiding. Here’s why: First and foremost cats are natural predators and they like to prey in the wild. This means that they are naturally driven to sneak upon prospective prey. Second, hiding is a key tool for protection and food hunt and third, cats feel safe and at home when they are hiding. Which brings me to my next point.

Think of your cats hiding spot as a refuge

I have two cats and they are named after the houses in the Harry Potter movie. Hufflepuff likes to sleep under the bed during the day and Gryffindor disappears as soon as he hears a knock on the door. Although sleeping under the bed is quite regular, but disappearing is definitely a sign of an expert hider. At present, his favorite spot for hiding in the closet in the attic and it appears he enjoys being until the visitors disappear. So, if you haven’t noticed, your cat me hiding for the same reasons. You can easily detect the reason behind their hiding behavior and it is no rocket science. In fact, cats love to hide because they find the place safe and they often take refuge in that place.

Should you worry about cat hiding behavior?

Now that you know hiding is a part of a routine or to be more precise cats natural behavior. Let us learn why you should not worry about your cat hiding behavior and what to do if in case your cat is continuously hiding.

Excessive hiding means that your cat is missing out on the daily activities, food, water and a lot of other things. Which, in my opinion, is a cause for concern. Your cat needs to carry out the daily activities and most vitally they need to urinate and defecate. If you notice that your cat has been hiding in her favorite spot all day long, immediately rush to a veterinarian.

Additionally, there are various other hiding patterns that you have to notice in your cat. For instance, if you identify that your cat comes out and uses the litter tray but goes back immediately after that, it is definitely a bad sign. It is quite possible that you may have been ignoring your cat for a long time. Or the cat is simply afraid of other cats in the house. Under these circumstances, you need to be more observant and restrict interactions with the other cats. Also, make sure that you provide your at with the love and attention they need.

What are patterns in hiding behavior?

If you are a cat owner you might have noticed that cats usually hide more during the winters. They seek warm and comfy places in the house and sleep in that spot until the weather changes. So, it is clear that the pattern of hiding also depends on where you reside and what is your home environment.

In addition to this, your cat’s natural behavior is also one factor that decides how often will the cat hide. Let’s say you have a shy cat and the cat does not like interaction. In such cases, the cat will hide as soon as the family is home. Further, cats are diurnal animals. This means that they are more active during dawn or dusk. As a matter of fact, you can find them playing during these hours and making the most of their time.

Note: Cats keep changing their hiding spots. They have a different spot for sleeping like my cat sleeps under the bed. Yet another for taking refuge from the noise and chatter. Like a huge cupboard, large enough to fit your cat or simply a corner that is away from the humdrum of human life.

Beware of the bad hiding spots

You don’t want your cat to get electrocuted behind a refrigerator or a dryer. I’ve heard actual stories of cats getting electrocuted. So, beware of such spots and make sure your cat does not hide in a spot that is dangerous for her physical and biological health. As a cat owner, you have to take cations and help your cat hide in nice and warm places. You might not have heard, but there are cat beds with heating pads. You can purchase one and place it in the spot she likes the most. This way you and your cat will stay away from the worries of accidental electrocution.

The Bottom Line

Hiding behaviors in cats are not so dangerous. You just have to be observant and in case you notice a change in the pattern. Note down all the details and if your cat is hiding excessively take the cat to the hospital. Also, don’t forget to expose your feline friend to nice and warm places. Be it a shy cat, a feisty cat, or a cat who is your emotional support animal, you have to let your kitty hide normally and most vitally comfortably.