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Not every cat will become stressed without a dedicated hideaway, but having a safe place to retreat can help a cat feel secure and cope with unfamiliar or stressful situations. A hiding spot can be as simple as a cardboard box or an open carrier; it does not need to be a special product.
Why a place to hide can matter
Hiding is normal feline behavior. Cats may seek cover to rest, feel secure, play, or cope with a stressful or unfamiliar situation, so hiding by itself does not mean a cat is unwell. The 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines state, “All cats need the ability to hide if desired,” describing hiding as a coping mechanism that can reduce stress during confinement. Read the AAFP/ISFM guidelines.
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The guidance supports offering a retreat, not assuming every cat reacts the same way. It does not establish that all cats become stressed in every home without a dedicated hideaway, or provide a percentage for how often that happens.
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What can count as a safe retreat?
There is no need to buy a specialty bed. Veterinary and welfare guidance lists simple options such as boxes, carriers, covered or high-sided beds, towels, and blankets. Merck Veterinary Manual also notes that safe hiding places at different elevations may help cats feel secure and reduce stress. See Merck Veterinary Manual guidance.
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- A cardboard box on its side, placed somewhere quiet.
- Your cat’s carrier, with its door secured open so the cat can enter and leave freely.
- A blanket draped over a safe perch, if your cat likes elevated spots.
- A covered or high-sided bed, if your cat chooses to use it.
Cats differ in how much visual cover they prefer. If possible, offer a choice of spots rather than assuming one type of retreat will suit every cat.
How to set up a hiding spot
Choose a quiet, undisturbed place, preferably covered and elevated if that suits your cat. A useful starting point is a location where your cat already tends to hide. Keep the spot separate from food, water, and litter, and make sure it is safe and easy to access. Cats Protection’s guidance on hiding cats recommends giving cats a quiet place where they will not be disturbed.
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In a home with multiple cats, make sure each cat can retreat to a safe place away from the others. Do not push or carry a cat into a hiding place; the cat should be free to choose whether to use it.
Should you let a hiding cat come out on its own?
Yes. If a cat is hiding because it feels stressed, leave it undisturbed and let it decide when to emerge. Trying to coax it out can increase anxiety and prolong the hiding, according to Cats Protection.
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When increased hiding needs a veterinary check
If your cat has started hiding more than usual, or the behavior comes with other changes, contact a veterinarian. Stress or anxiety can be involved, but illness can also cause a change in behavior, so a medical cause should be ruled out before treating the issue as behavioral. The guidance does not set a universal time threshold for when hiding becomes an emergency.
If a veterinarian finds no medical cause, a qualified cat behavior professional can help identify possible environmental triggers, such as other cats, fireworks, or building work.
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