Cats are not as open animals as dogs, and when menstruation comes into the house, they are not happy about it, but tend to hide in a dark corner. The reason for this behavior is that meowing pets are introverts by nature. Although some owners who have no experience with cats do not know about this prefix. They believe that the animal is sick, which is why it is hiding.
In this article, wrap it up, an analysis of this cat habit is given, and advice is given on how to get the cat to get rid of it.
Signs that the cat is ill
Although cat psychologists assure everyone around them, what is it? a cat hides in a secluded corner only because of its character, but it’s worth considering such an unpleasant factor as the onset of various pathologies in the cat’s body. You should be especially careful, otherwise) such behavior has not been noticed in the cat before, and at the behest of the pike) such a habit has arisen.
If a cat suddenly, for no apparent reason, begins to hide under a table, a closet, or in dark corners, you need to carefully monitor your pet and see if he shows the following symptoms of ill health:
It's not the blanket, it's the owner!
However, most often a visit under the blanket is simply the pet’s desire to thank you for your love. When a cat cuddles, purrs, and tramples its owner with its paws, it thus expresses the highest degree of gratitude for the kindness that a person does for it, and a blanket is simply a pleasant decoration for expressing tender feelings.
If you don't want your cat to come into your bed or sleep under your blanket, gently let her know this. Do not scold an animal that is hiding in the warmth.
Take your pet in your arms, take it to another room, caress it and treat it to something tasty. Make another place in the house a permanent spot for spending quality time together. Also, give your cat her own warm blanket that she can hide under if she wants.
Svetlana Mosolova
Why does a cat look at one point?
Most likely, cats look into emptiness, reacting to sounds, smells, objects that a person is not able to perceive. The senses of meowing pets are much better developed than those of humans.
Cats' eyes can detect the slightest movements, so a cat's attention may be attracted by a shadow on the wall or a reflection of sunlight. The animals freeze, fixing their gaze on the point where the movement was, and wait until it repeats.
In the same way, cats can freeze if they hear an intriguing sound, for example, a creaking floor, rustling behind a wall, the culprits of which may be mice or insects. It seems that the cat is looking into emptiness, but in fact it is listening. This is easy to understand by the movement of the ears.
The attention of meowing pets can be attracted by dust, particles of which float in the air in sunlight. Sometimes animals can chase dust, which also looks very strange. From the outside, the pet is trying to play with something invisible.
When a cat looks at a wall, in a corner, at the ceiling, perhaps it sees a spider, which, due to low light, small size and minimal movements, is invisible to humans. Meowing pets, endowed with the hunting instinct, can stare at one point for a long time, watching the spider, even trying to jump in its direction.
Animals can perceive moving objects using their whiskers. If an animal catches movement, but does not see or hear its source, then the pet may freeze in attempts to detect it.
Kittens have particular endurance and curiosity; they can sit in one place for a long period of time and watch an object that attracts attention.
Psychological discomfort
The main factors associated with ill health have been discussed, and now we can move on to other, everyday reasons why cats hide in the dark.
Cats have a very strong nervous system and any unusual event that goes beyond their usual way of life is overstrain for them. The pet is overwhelmed by experiences that make it nervous and suffer damage, and it tries to hide in a dark place. What can be the source of suffering?
- Apartment renovation, change of residence and relocation, long pilgrimage.
- Often a cat begins to hide after a visit to the veterinary clinic, and the animal loses credit with its owner.
- In the house, which the cat rightly considers its territory, other animals, children, or paints visit the owners at the same time.
- Quite often, cats run away into dark corners because of a bad attitude towards them from one of the family members.
- It happens that a cat ran away from the house, but it was caught and returned back. She is trying to figure out what happened, to recover from the stress that befell her. For this purpose, she needs privacy and so that no one disturbs her, because the mustachioed fugitive will hide behind a chair or cabinet and will be able to slowly realize what has happened. Owners are advised not to touch it and leave it alone.
The owner should clearly know that a cat that is in a prolonged state of stress can simply get sick. Stressful situations that fall on top of the cat's weak shoulders weaken the immune system, causing problems with the stomach, intestines and heart. Therefore, it is advisable to quickly do everything possible so that the pet does not experience more nervous shock.
What to do if the cat hid in a secluded corner?
If a cat is afraid of everything, the provoking factor of fear and stress should be eliminated, since this condition leads to cardiovascular diseases. When a cat hides under a blanket, you need to give him the opportunity to warm up, especially an old pet. A hidden cat should be given comfortable conditions at the sight of guests - taken to another room, placed there with bowls of food and water, and a tray. It is advisable to periodically visit your pet, pet it and talk calmly.
When the reason why a cat is looking for a secluded place is shyness, the owner should not punish the animal, but talk to it kindly, even if the person is upset by the pet’s behavior. When cats hide their kittens, this means that something is bothering the pet, so the owner needs to establish the cause and eliminate it. If animals are sick and hiding, it is necessary to show them to a veterinarian, who will identify the disease and prescribe treatment.
Stressful moment
Not all pets cope well with stressful situations. Some events can cause panic attacks and a desire to hide:
- moving;
- going to the vet;
- first outing for a walk;
- meeting unfamiliar people or animals;
- taking medications.
It is worth leaving the cat in its shelter for a while. Very soon the pet will calm down and leave the dark place.
The cat is stressed. Cats, like all living beings, are susceptible to stress. Most often, the causes of animal stress are fear of something, or a sudden change in environment. If a person can somehow understand and analyze the situation, then cats perceive reality as it is.
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The owner may not always understand that the cat is stressed and what reasons led it to this state. But in any case, if the animal’s behavior has changed dramatically, then this should alert you.
If this condition lasts too long, then the treatment will be very difficult, and may even be useless, since stress has a negative effect on the entire body.
Contacting a veterinarian
It must be remembered that the best treatment is prevention. A preventive visit to a veterinarian will help identify diseases in the early stages and begin treatment immediately. Your cat also needs to be vaccinated once a year. If desired, you can combine vaccination and a preventive appointment with a veterinarian.
If the following symptoms appear, a visit to the doctor is mandatory.
Lack of appetite
If the cat does not eat, does not want to drink and refuses its favorite treats, and sleeps all the time in a secluded place, a trip to the clinic cannot be postponed. Fasting is strictly contraindicated for cats, since prolonged refusal to eat leads to disruption of liver function.
Lethargy
Lethargy, apathy and drowsiness may indicate severe intoxication or high fever. It is necessary to figure out what could cause this condition. A visit to a veterinarian in such cases is mandatory.
Loss of coordination
If your cat begins to fall over on its side when walking, has difficulty moving its paws, or crashes into walls, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary. Loss of coordination is an alarming symptom and can indicate both vision loss and brain dysfunction.
Another symptom of a concussion or stroke is different pupils
Other
Along with the desire to hide, a cat may have the following symptoms:
- refusal to eat;
- diarrhea;
- vomit;
- apathy, lethargy;
- dull coat;
- urine mixed with blood or no urine;
- discharge from the eyes and nose;
- bad breath;
- a strong change in behavior - aggression in a usually kind cat or sudden sympathy in an aggressive animal. If a cat suddenly begins to lick and caress, this should alert you;
- profuse salivation.
Important! If any of these symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic!
Cats are very mysterious animals. Why do they like to hide in boxes, climb into dark corners and jump around the apartment at night? Only the cat god knows. But sometimes a game of hide and seek can be harmless, and sometimes it’s better to play it safe and take your pet to the vet. This specialist will tell you in detail what behavior of your pet should be alarming and what is considered normal. Do not forget that prevention is always easier and cheaper than treatment.
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Special situations
Sometimes it happens that a cat is afraid of everything and hides. What to do if your pet is acting strange? You may have encountered some very normal situations for an animal's particular condition.
Pregnant cats hide in dark places when looking for suitable shelter to give birth. Owners are strongly encouraged to set up a box with towels in a quiet place where the expectant mother will be comfortable.
Quite often, old animals with deteriorating vision, smell and hearing feel constantly unprotected. That's why they try to hide. Try to calm your cat down by talking to it.
Pregnancy
Any cat owner will tell you that pregnant cats sometimes behave very strangely and illogically from a human point of view. During pregnancy, the animal's instincts, which have been ingrained over the centuries-old history of evolution, become more acute.
The future parent begins to take care of her children long before they are born. This is expressed in the fact that the cat explores the house in search of a secluded corner where no one will touch or disturb it. As a rule, such a nook turns out to be a clothes closet, where the kitty makes a nest among the owner’s clean things.
The owner should take care of the pet rushing around the house in search of shelter and build a similar nest for the animal. The best option would be a regular TV box with some warm fabric at the bottom that absorbs moisture. Then the owner will not have to scour the house, looking for a hard-to-reach corner with helpless newborn kittens.
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Pregnant cats can sometimes remain affectionate and flexible, still easily communicating with their owners, but most often these ladies are irritable and show aggression for any reason, meowing and hissing at their pets. Therefore, it is very useful to rid pets of annoying children’s attention, pestering and all sorts of harsh sounds, because the animal is already constantly tense and on the verge of exhaustion.
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Spectacle
For those who are just beginning to experience the delights of living in the same house with a cat, it is useful to know and remember that their tailed and mustachioed friend is a predator who loves to ambush other animals in natural conditions. Therefore, if you find a cat sitting in a dark corner, it makes sense to think that maybe he is just lying in wait for his next “victim.” And it doesn’t matter that she happens to be a family member passing by.
In such cases, at least you can do everything to prevent the animal from setting up an ambush in places where it is dangerous for it to be. Let's say, in ovens, washing machines or dishwashers, that it is in the order of things to pay a little attention to cabinets and bedside tables with closing doors - (unexpectedly, did you get in there? Otherwise, you won’t be able to get out, and even where, if the owners are at home and save the hunter from captivity.
Seclusion due to illness
Sick and wounded animals instinctively hide, because they are unable to actively resist and withstand danger. Domestic cats who feel depressed do the same thing, shutting themselves off from the world and immersing themselves in their pain. They may avoid human company, but go to the hospital under a blanket, especially with chills and elevated body temperature.
Refusal of food, lethargy and reluctance to leave the shelter should alert the owner, since the stronger the disease, the weaker and more apathetic the animal becomes.
Decrepit age
Being young and active, the cat hides in dark places because it is possible to suddenly jump out of them and take someone passing by by surprise. And with old animals everything is more clear than with young ones. Having reached old age and become decrepit, the fosterling loses visual acuity, his sense of smell becomes worse, he becomes uninterested in active moving sights and an abundance of sounds. Therefore, one should not be surprised at his desire to hook up in places as far away from the surrounding bustle as possible.
Such needs of elderly pets must be respected. An old cat needs a lot of time to fully restore its strength, therefore, in places chosen by its tailed companion to (avoid rest), it is better to try not to make noise. In addition, veterinary experts are of the opinion that the more Older cats rest, the longer they will live.
A dark place is an escape from stress
It often happens that a cat that was previously absolutely calm and open to communication began to hide in dark places if it found itself in a stressful situation. Most often this is a move. A cat, which is naturally cautious and does not like change, needs time to get used to a new environment and feel comfortable in it. To reduce the animal’s anxiety, you can initially place it in one small room to give it the opportunity to get comfortable. Be sure to take with you from the old house your favorite bed or bedding, bowl, tray, toys - everything that will comfort the mustachioed new resident.
In the same way, sometimes a kitten hides in a dark place when it finds itself in a new family. There is no need to force events by forcing him to go “in public” - most likely, he will do it himself when he is ready. It’s just that a baby who was adopted from another home will need less time to adapt than his brother from the street or from a shelter. With animals that have not previously known human society, you need a little more patience and tact.
What can be done?
If the reason for hiding in dark places is not related to illness, injury or pregnancy, you can arrange special houses (preferably high ones) where the pet can climb and rest. It will be much more interesting for the cat if the bed is combined with scratching posts and toys.
Also try not to frighten your pet with loud sounds: music, hairdryer, vacuum cleaner. Remember that this is a lot of stress for the animal!
Buy or make an interesting toy for your pet! What cat wouldn't want to chase a laser pointer or a moth tied to a string? Perhaps fun games will distract him from the desire for solitude and will bring much more joy than hide and seek.
Maybe your pet lacks live communication. Talk to your pet more often, pet it and praise it. Signs of attention are the best cure for sadness and stress!
Cats love dark places, because there they can relax, play and even chat with friends. Don't chase your pet away from its favorite place under the bed!
Is it possible to help a pet in any way?
Above, it is explained in sufficient detail why and how a cat looks for dark corners and hides in them. This time we will talk about how the owner can correct such a behavior. Here are a few recommendations that, if followed, will allow you to live with your shaggy friend kindly and with understanding:
- In the presence of stressful situations, the first step is to ensure that the reason that frightens the cat is eliminated from head to toe, and the purr has no desire to hide in the dark roof above his head. Plus, it’s worth giving your cat sedative drops and tablets at moments when the frightening feelings are especially strong.
- If the manufacturer notices that the cat is not just hiding aimlessly, but that it has symptoms of the disease (diarrhea, thirst or vomiting), then you need to immediately take it to a veterinary hospital.
- If your pet has such a character that at the slightest sign of danger or unrest, the devil immediately strives to hide somewhere darker, because you just need to equip him with a quiet nook, where he will feel safe when the apartment is full of strange strangers.
- Occasionally, your pet is pregnant; there is no need to guess where she will give birth. You can build a birthing nest yourself using available items. Then the finished structure must be shown to the cat, who can sniff and examine it. It is best to put it in a place where she once gave birth or came in and looked for a canopy.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that in the overwhelming majority of cases, there is nothing wrong with a cat’s desire to disappear into a secluded place. The owner should understand why the pet has such desires and make every effort to prevent fatal accidents from occurring. So that it does not get into, for example, the washing machine when washing clothes or does not end up locked in the closet.
And even if the cat did not have such a habit before, and the occurrence of something like this comes as a surprise to the owner, and in addition signs of illness are visible, in this case it is necessary to take the pet for examination to a doctor. This will help save the animal from the risk of serious diseases.
Reasons when a cat hides in dark places
A cat may be hiding because, for example, it is tired of its owners’ small child and just wants peace. But it happens that the cat does not come out when called and does not respond to the rustling of food for a long time. The reasons for this behavior need to be understood. Why does a cat hide in dark places?
Cats love the most secluded places
Stress
The main reason for hiding in cats is stress. A sudden move, a visit to the veterinarian, guests, fireworks outside the window... The cat hides for any of these reasons and may not come out of hiding for a long time. Each cat is an individual, and animals with a strong psyche may not react in any way to changes in the house. But fearfulness in cats is also normal. This is a natural defense mechanism against danger.
Fear
Stress and fear always go hand in hand. A cat hides in dark places if it feels bad, in pain, or is very scared. The desire to hide can be caused by the following situations:
- New house. It is normal for a kitten to hide, run away, and sit in a secluded place for a long time. This is an adequate reaction to moving; the cat just needs a little time to get used to it. An adult cat can behave exactly the same when changing owners. She needs more time to adapt than a kitten. At night, an animal in a new house can come out, explore the apartment and meow invitingly. Such behavior should be treated with understanding.
- New animal in the house. Buying, for example, a puppy can cause severe fright in a cat. It is advisable to prevent contact between a cat and a dog at first and gradually accustom them to each other. Adult animals need more time than babies. It may take a month or more for a cat and dog to adapt to each other.
- Unusual smell. Cats navigate with their nose. And a new smell can greatly frighten your pet. There have been cases where a cat hid in horror when the owners smothered themselves with perfume before going out into the world. The animal simply did not understand what was happening and why it smelled like that.
- Fireworks. New Year is the most stressful time for cats. The rumbling outside the window causes not only horror and a desire to hide in a far corner, but also an exacerbation of chronic diseases, if any. For example, idiopathic cystitis, which is manifested by the fact that the animal cannot pee for more than 6 hours. At the first symptoms, you should contact a veterinary clinic.
- Arrival of guests. If a cat is cowardly, then his sudden escapes to secluded places should not be surprising. The main thing is not to drag the animal out by force to show it to guests. This is very stressful for the cat.
- After the trip. A cat that has been released from its carrier after a trip or visit to the doctor will immediately seek shelter. Or maybe he won’t want to leave his portable bag. In this case, it is better to leave the cat alone.
- A cat or cat may hide in the corners to mark this place. This problem is solved by sterilization or castration.
Important! After surgery, it is recommended to limit the animal's mobility. It is undesirable for the cat to hide and be out of reach. It is important that the animal is visible.
Pregnancy and childbirth
One of the harbingers of an imminent birth is a cat’s sudden desire to create a “nest” for future offspring. A cat may dig through the bed, throw out things in their closets, and hide on shelves.
Important! This is normal behavior for a woman in labor.
It is advisable not to lose sight of the cat, but also not to interfere with its activities. Better yet, prepare a place for the cat to give birth. This can be a closed box with a cut out exit or a special basket with a blanket or blanket.
It is better to prepare the place for childbirth in advance
In a playful mood, cats may hide from each other only to attack suddenly. This game is not dangerous. There are cats that attack their owners from hiding, considering them to be prey. Usually this is harmless and small predators do not extend their claws in such games.
Viruses and diseases
A cat that isn't feeling well is looking for a dark place to hide. With viral diseases, a high temperature usually rises, and the animal persistently goes to the bathroom, where the floor is cold, or simply looks for a dark, quiet place. Most cats prefer to be sick alone.
Fear of light
Perhaps the pet is simply afraid of light. This is the norm if we are talking about a kitten or a pregnant cat.
The cubs are born completely blind. Their eyes are closed because they are not yet formed to meet the light. The pupils, which can dilate or contract, are responsible for the perception of light. The pupils of kittens that have just opened their eyes cannot adjust to the brightness of the light, so you can often notice how babies hide in dark places, and sometimes simply turn their faces away from the lighting fixtures. This phenomenon will pass when the animal grows a little.
Cats that are preparing to become mothers change their behavior: some become more sociable, others diligently avoid human society. But in one thing they are the same: when the birth approaches, they want to build a nest for themselves.
Why does a cat need to hide?
The desire to hide in a dark place for a while is quite common among domestic cats. The hunter's instinct prompts them to take a position in a secluded corner so that they can calmly observe what is happening without being noticed. In other cases, especially small kittens, they want to be in a warm, cozy “nest”, where they are comfortable and safe. Fur babies grow and sleep a lot, so they need proper rest. Constantly playing TV and other noises do not provide the opportunity to have a good rest. Truly deep sleep is only possible in darkness and complete silence.
© shutterstock
It should not be surprising that cats find secluded corners in completely different places.:
- closet,
- box,
- under the bed or sofa,
- washing machine drum,
- on the shelf,
- behind the battery,
- under the owner's blanket.
If the cat hides constantly, then you need to buy one for it in a special store or make a house yourself. Fluffy pets love such shelters. This is connected not only with psychology, but also with physiology. Cats often sleep curled up. When sleeping in a confined space, they can lean their back against the wall of the house, thus relaxing their muscles.
Main reasons for seeking shelter
There are many explanations for why a cat hides in dark places. In some cases, the shelter is not always truly dark, but simply cool or, conversely, warm. There may be several favorite places for a pet, often they are well known to the owner. It is advisable not to disturb the animal at such a moment, because sometimes he needs to be alone with himself.
Why does a cat try to be invisible, let's name common reasons:
- character trait;
- the presence of another, older cat in the house;
- the need to calm down after suffering stress;
- anticipation of the appearance of offspring;
- desire to play;
- desire for security.
Timid by nature
By nature, some cats are sociable, while others prefer loneliness. Those who belong to the second category instinctively try to be “in the shadows” more often, which guarantees safety. Such a kitten will not sleep on a wide sofa with its tummy up, with its paws spread to the sides. Also, he will not once again catch someone’s eye. You can force him to come out of hiding with gentle words, a favorite treat, or a bright, entertaining toy.
If the cat is hiding, then you should not lure it out or put pressure on it. Perhaps something alarmed her, someone scared or offended her. She will go out on her own when she considers it necessary, wants to eat or take a walk. If you do not allow the predator to avoid an unpleasant situation, then its anxiety will only intensify.
Trying to get peace and comfort, even sociable cats hide. They may find a place for themselves in the linen closet or on the cool wooden floor under the bed. It all depends on whether the pet is cold or hot.
Away from the Boss
The presence of another cat or an older cat in the house causes the younger cat to hide more often. The owner can create a maze of boxes especially for him, through which he can easily get to a bowl of food or tray. The boxes must have multiple entrances and exits so that you can escape in time, avoiding a dangerous or unwanted collision with your opponent.
What to do if your cat constantly hides in a dark place. We need to keep an eye on her. If her health is fine, her fur is shiny, and her nose is wet, then the pet’s behavior is due to other reasons.
Relief from stress
After getting into an unpleasant situation or being offended, even the most sociable cat hides in order to survive the stress and regain equanimity. Cats get used to their home and don’t really like change. If a kitten is taken to another family, the naturally cautious animal will need time to adapt. In the first days, the pet will react sensitively to any sounds or movements, and if it senses danger, it will definitely hide.
When moving to another house, the cat becomes restless. For the first time, you can place him in a small room. Gradually he will get used to it and begin to explore other rooms. You will definitely need to take his bed, bowl, and tray from the old apartment. Having familiar things around will allow your pet to calm down a little and feel more confident.
Tamed domestic cats get used to it faster than those adopted from a shelter or from the street. It is not so easy to regain the trust of an animal that has lost its former home. It will take patience, a calm atmosphere and a kind attitude.
Interesting situation
Pregnant cats begin to hide in dark places, which means kittens will be born soon. To prevent your cat from hiding and throwing your things out of your nightstands and closets in search of a suitable place to place her offspring, prepare a box with soft bedding for her. Place it in a convenient place so that the cat and babies will not be disturbed.
Let's play hide and seek or go hunting
If your kitten hides under the sofa during the day and hits its owner by the legs, then in this way he is simply playing hunter. For him, a dark place is an ambush from which he stalks his prey. Some cats won't mind running around and playing chase, hide and seek, or cat and mouse. They can realize their natural hunting instinct at home only through play.
Search for safety
According to some cats, the owner's bed is considered the safest and most reliable place. Under the blanket it is warm and cozy, there is a familiar smell, which is a guarantee of protection and peace. Not every owner can be with their pet all the time. In the morning he goes to work and returns only in the evening. A cat can crawl under the blanket for the whole day, wanting to constantly feel the presence of its owner, patiently waiting for his return and a delicious dinner.
It’s bad not only for the cats themselves, but also for the owners. The fluffy beauty senses a person’s emotional mood, so she tries to relieve her owner of poor health or stress. She climbs into her arms and lies down next to her, trying to calm her down.
Photophobia is normal
Kittens are born blind. Their eyes are closed for a reason, they continue to form and prepare to meet a serious, irritating factor - light. The pupils, which dilate and contract, are partly responsible for the normal perception of light and visual information. When a kitten just opens its eyes, its pupils do not have time to adjust to the brightness of the light.
The cause of photophobia in adult cats that cannot be ignored is. Cats expecting offspring behave very differently, some become more sociable, others more irritable. However, all pregnant cats have one thing in common: the closer they are, the stronger the desire to build a nest.
Cats of certain breeds do not arrange a nest on their own, but wait for these steps from the owner. Usually the pet is very worried, meows, calls the owner and tries to take it to the site of the proposed nest. In this case, your task is to arrange a soft bed and monitor your pet, since she will also count on you during childbirth.
A cat that sets up a nest independently chooses a dark place and sits in it for a long time. Your task is to read thoughts and free up the space you like for arranging a nest. Believe me, this is in your best interest, since for most expectant mothers the shelf with your clothes seems to be the ideal nest. To prevent the cat from hiding, she needs help setting up a nest:
- Make a box with three high sides and one low.
- Cover the box with soft materials; you can lay a moisture-absorbing diaper on the bottom.
If there are several animals in the house, then normal “equal” relationships are usually established between them. However, sometimes one pet can take a dominant position. In such a situation, the softer cat will try to hide and not be seen by the bully.
