Surely, you have already noticed that your cat loves to hide in dark places and, not infrequently, he chooses to rest in dark places. unusual or difficult to reach. Many times, cats hide to have fun or simply to rest easy. However, a cat can also be isolated when they feel fear or as a symptom of stress and some pathologies.
Do you want to know why your cat hides in dark places? Then you have entered the ideal page. In this new article on our site, we will explain the main causes of this feline behavior and how you can act to certify the good he alth of your companion.
Why do cats hide?
The habit of hiding is part of feline behavior. A he althy cat may hide when he wants to play hide-and-seek with his owner or just to enjoy a toy he likes. In other circumstances, your cat may want to take a nice nap away from the sun's rays, especially on the hottest days. And if you have spotted any small insects in your environment, you can also resort to a low light environment to prepare the perfect attack (remember that cats see better in the dim light than in the light).
However, it is important that owners remain attentive to changes in the behavior of their kitty. If a cat starts to hide very often, this can be a negative sign that indicates an imbalance in your body. It is also recommended that you know the feline body language to recognize the postures and expressions that may indicate some disorder in the he alth of your companion.
Below, we summarize the main negative causes that can make your cat hide in dark places:
- Negative and/or unstimulating environment: a cat may hide as a symptom of boredom, which usually appears when exposed to a sedentary routine in an unstimulating environment. This occurs more frequently in kittens who are left alone for a long time and do not have an enriched environment to stimulate their body and mind.
- Stress: a feline exposed to high levels of stress may hide to seek a calm environment, as well as experience a series of behavioral changes. It is crucial to be aware of the symptoms of stress in your cat and quickly consult your trusted veterinarian when you identify them in your cat.
- Poor Socialization: Many adult cats were not properly socialized as puppies, so they did not learn how to interact properly with other animals and people. If your cat hides in dark places when you receive visitors in your house, it is likely that he is avoiding coexistence with these individuals who, for him, "disturb the tranquility of his territory."
- Critical socialization period: If you had to adopt a baby cat prematurely separated from its mother or newborn, you will have to guide your small during its critical period and, at the same time, key to its socialization (between 4 and 12 weeks of life). Naturally, the kitten should learn, during this period, to relate to its environment and to other individuals gradually, together with its parents and siblings.
- Process of adjusting to a new home: if you just adopted a baby or adult kitten, your new companion may be hiding because he is not yet adapted to the new home and is afraid of exposing himself to unknown stimuli and places. In these cases, you must be patient and respect your cat's adaptation times. It's also important to offer him a quiet environment, stimulate his curiosity, and reward his displays of bravery by allowing himself to come out of hiding little by little.
- Fear: cats are also afraid and this feeling allows them to be alert and escape from possible threats in their environment. It is very common for cats to hide when hearing loud noises or seeing objects that they associate with disturbances to their hearing tranquility (the vacuum cleaner, the blender, the hair dryer). Feline senses are very sensitive and easily perceive stimuli that go completely unnoticed. Therefore, if your cat runs away and hides, pay attention to its surroundings to identify the possible cause.
- Traumas: This is also a common cause in adopted kittens who were born or abandoned in inhospitable places, such as the streets. It is possible that your feline has had negative experiences involving some noise, object or other animals. By identifying the presence of something that, in its rationing, represents its risk to its well-being, your cat will seek a safe refuge, probably in a dark and difficult to access place. It is very important that you have the help of a professional expert in feline ethology to help your kitty overcome her trauma
- Households with 2 or more cats: adopting a companion for your cat can be an excellent alternative to keep him physically and mentally active during your absence, as well as stimulate their social capacity. However, it is crucial that felines are well socialized before imposing a coexistence on them. Cats are territorial by nature and can easily reject the presence of another animal in their home. Therefore, if you decide to adopt a new kitten for your home, remember to introduce it correctly to your cat.
- Death: It was very present in the popular belief that cats hid when preparing to die. In fact, when they are close to dying, felines feel more vulnerable and look for a safe environment where they can be calm. Therefore, if a cat is already old or has an illness, it may hide in dark and difficult places as a sign that it is about to leave.
The importance of ruling out pathological causes
Some pathologies that cause acute pain, affect the senses or unbalance the metabolism (hormonal problems, for example), can cause changes behaviors and favor the development of phobias and traumas in felines. For this reason, we highlight the importance of consulting your trusted veterinarian when observing any change in your feline's behavior. At the veterinary clinic, the professional will carry out the appropriate studies to rule out possible pathological causes and certify the state of he alth of your cat.
It is also worth noting that cats can hide in unusual places when detecting the presence of fleas, mites or other pathogens. These tiny parasites often lodge in carpets, pillows, and other "fluffy" surfaces where they can camouflage, breed, and go unnoticed. Remember to respect the vaccination card and regular deworming of your pussycat, as well as reinforce the hygiene of your home, to avoid an infestation of ectoparasites and the diseases that can provoke in your feline.
What can I do to help my cat?
First, it is essential that you consult your trusted veterinarian to find out the cause of your cat's abnormal behavior. If your cat hides in dark places for natural reasons, you won't need to treat it. You should also not force him to come out of hiding from him or disturb him while he is quiet. It is important to respect the personality of our felines and the essential freedoms for their well-being.
If you need your cat to come out of hiding for any reason, you should not yell at him or try to grab him. This exposes the animal to a high rate of unnecessary stress and favors the development of self-defensive behaviors Simply act calmly and try to attract it by stimulating its curiosity, using its toy or your favorite treat.
In the event that any pathology is diagnosed, the veterinary professional will guide you regarding the most appropriate treatment for your cat. Whether it is a psychological or emotional disorder, it will be crucial to have the guidance of a expert in ethology or feline education These professionals will be able to base the treatment of your cat in specific guidelines that help you regain your self-confidence to express yourself in a he althy and balanced way.
You can also follow the guidelines below to care for your kitty and prevent the development of behavior problems:
- Offer adequate preventive medicine: the first thing you should do to help your cat is to offer him adequate preventive medicine throughout his life. Visit the vet every 6 months, respect the vaccination card and periodic deworming, maintain a high quality balanced diet, exercise your body and mind daily, and take care of your hygiene. All this will allow your feline to maintain excellent he alth, as well as being able to quickly find out and treat any imbalance in its body.
- Positive and enriched environment: It is important that you know the value of environmental enrichment for your kitty. This will allow you to keep him physically and mentally stimulated, even when you are not at home, and will prevent symptoms of stress and boredom. Do not forget to have several litter boxes, toys, catwalks and feline structures that keep him stimulated, while you modify them.
- Socialization: all domestic cats can and should be properly socialized to learn to relate to people, animals and other stimuli of its environment. Therefore, if you adopted a baby or adult feline, remember to socialize it to avoid behavioral problems.
