The cat sleeps and hides under the bed

Sweet Dreams

Zoologists know that relatives of domestic cats are also prone to hiding, doing this for various reasons:

Rest after the hunt . In nature, cats spend most of the day (from 18 to 20 hours) resting after hunting. During sleep, the animal is especially vulnerable, and therefore beds are arranged in hidden and hard-to-reach places. For cats in their natural environment, this could be a hole, an old hollow, a fork in large branches with dense foliage, or a rock crevice. The animal feels protected when the walls of the shelter touch the body. Most often, cats doze with their eyes closed, without turning off their sensitive “inner guard,” but for health and recuperation, complete relaxation and a deep sleep phase are necessary.
Call of the Ancestors . It is this property that makes a domestic cat settle down to rest in a secluded place, which can be a hole-house, a basket with a woolen blanket or a blanket on the owner’s bed.
Feeling warm and safe. The desire to surround themselves with a cozy “cocoon” is characteristic of cats of all ages, but small kittens are especially sensitive to touch, instinctively striving for something warm and soft, reminiscent of their mother’s fluffy side. Warmth, silence and twilight create a feeling of security, allowing the baby to sleep peacefully.

Why does a cat need to hide?

Some cats prefer to sleep next to their owner from childhood, and then it becomes a habit for them. A little kitten is scared and cold alone, but under the blanket it is cozy and pleasant. Many pets like to sleep with a blanket on top, leaving only their nose and ears outside. They consider this quite convenient, because the owner also sleeps like this. You can also put your head on the pillow.

If the cat does not have his own house, then you should not ask why he chooses a bed or sofa. The need to find a safe hiding place can arise in a cat for various reasons.

The cat crawls under the blanket because:

sick and looking for warmth;
awaits the appearance of offspring;
loves comfortable rest;
wants to smell the owner;
marks its territory;
rarely sees the mistress of the house;
wants to be safe.

Since a cat's body temperature is slightly higher than a person's, it is more acceptable for her to sleep in a warm place, for example, under a woolen blanket or rug. The blanket itself cannot provide warmth, but it effectively reduces heat loss and helps the animal maintain a constant body temperature.

Pregnant cats look for a secluded, quiet place. They understand that kittens also need warmth, so they choose a comfortable place.

Another important reason is the desire to feel comfortable. The bed and blanket are soft and pleasant. Every second cat usually prefers a hard surface to a soft one. It is much more comfortable for a small kitten to sleep on a soft one; it reminds him of his mother, the company of brothers and sisters with whom he grew up. Elderly cats may be bothered by joint pain, which subsides a little in a warm place. It is much more comfortable for them to lie on a soft bed.

All living creatures strive for peace, and reliable shelter allows them not just to doze off, but to fall asleep deeply. It is the deep sleep phase that allows you to truly restore the strength lost during the day. It is during this period that the animals’ immunity works in full force, the processes of cell division in the body are activated, and tissue renewal occurs. So you shouldn’t be surprised that the cat tries to crawl under the covers or blankets on its own. This behavior of a pet is quite understandable and understandable.

Sometimes you can notice that the cat is moving its paws over the blanket.

This could be due to several reasons:

the animal shows that it feels good and pleasant at the moment;
a childish reflex appears when, as a kitten, a cat kneaded its mother’s belly to get milk;
In this way, the pet marks its territory, because on the pads of the cat’s paws there are glands that secrete secretions.

Scientists have found that constant stress and the inability to get enough sleep lead to premature aging of animals and various diseases.

Usually a cat hides in a dark place for its own safety. Life is filled with fears and stressful situations. Climbing into a closet with clothes or under a blanket, he feels the familiar smell of the owner and finds peace.

Not all animals can be alone for a long time and really don’t like it when the owner goes to work during the day and returns home late. Lack of communication and the need to be alone for a long time force cats to climb into those places that store a familiar smell.

Pets can be attracted not only by affection for their owner, but also by the smell of their sweat. This is especially true for situations where the cat’s owner is a man. She may like the way his shaving cream or shower gel smells, especially if it has notes of mint or valerian.

For young animals, a blanket can act as an ambush during playtime. From under it, the cat can quietly stalk prey, and at an opportune moment suddenly attack and grab it.

Warm place

If the house is cool, the pet will look for a way to warm up. Cats love warmth, so they often sit on central heating radiators or appliances that have become hot from work. They often curl up into a ball and settle among the soft folds of tissue, limiting the space around them.

The desire to crawl under the side of a sleeping person or lie on his chest can also be dictated by the search for a source of heat.

Hairless cat breeds, for which room temperatures below +25°C are uncomfortable, especially need warmth.

Anti-stress nook

In case of danger, wild cats hide in a secluded place until the threat passes. The Pallas's cat escapes from enemies on high rocky ledges, and the lynx hides from hunting dogs high in the trees. At the same time, obeying a wise protective instinct, the animal tries to merge with the environment, squeeze in and spread out, becoming more invisible.

Domestic cats have their reasons:

An alarmed cat will dive under the blanket, frightened by a sudden loud noise or an unfamiliar object.
The animal will seek salvation in comfortable solitude from the intrusive caresses of guests.
A stressful factor for your pet is a car ride, an exhibition or a visit to the veterinarian, so he will hide under the blanket.
Hiding under a blanket is especially common for animals for which “personal space” is not provided in a noisy and crowded house.

The owner should not disturb the peace of the cat, hidden in the soft folds of the blanket, giving him the opportunity to calm down and restore psychological balance.

Why do cats hide under the blanket?

Contents hide

Cats are famous for their oddities and quirks. What places do house purrs not find themselves in? They are especially inventive when looking for a suitable place to sleep. Offhand: this is a bookshelf, a washing machine, a sink, and a laptop keyboard. And some mustaches go straight to the master’s bed, and strive to bury themselves in the blanket. Isn't it hot for them there, by any chance? What considerations motivate our furry pets?

Take an example from the owner. Firstly, cats are very observant, and their owners are constantly under their control. Secondly, cats are territorial. They love to show who is the real owner of the house or apartment, and who is sheltered here out of mercy. Purrs see how their owners go to bed, covering themselves with a blanket. The grimaces of pleasure and happiness on the faces of loved ones also do not escape their watchful gaze: a time of calm and healthy sleep lies ahead. Cats climb under the blanket out of spite and the desire to once again emphasize that everything around is mine. And one more thing: the owner likes to sleep under a blanket, why not try it yourself?

The closeness of a loved one. Many cats are generally accustomed to sleeping in their owners' beds. This solution has many advantages: it’s warm, comfortable, safe, and you can get your share of affection at night. The cat happily lies down next to its adored owner. And she doesn't mind being covered with a blanket.

Excellent shelter. Now let's imagine the situation. Work, pressure, nerves, management sets some impossible tasks. How nice it would be to find yourself at home and get away from all your problems at once, just hiding under the covers! Cats follow much the same logic. The house is bustling, noisy and restless. Another picture is under the blanket; you can't be heard or seen. You can rest and relax in peace. And become invisible for a while.

Anxiety or stress. Cats are very sensitive, vulnerable animals. You move the bowl of water twenty centimeters to the side, and the pet will begin to experience this event. Stress is really well tolerated under the covers. A thick, cotton blanket. It would seem that such a blanket would crush a cat with its weight. But no: it turned out that a heavy blanket with its monumentality has an excellent calming effect.

"Bush Dwellers" Colleagues from PAWS Chicago proposed an interesting classification of cats. In their opinion, all cats in the world choose one of three suitable habitats. There are “tree lovers” (they always climb somewhere high, on a tree, cabinet or shelf); “beach lovers” (prefer open spaces, do not hide anywhere and do not hide from anyone); “bush lovers” (like to hide, but do not like to climb high). For example, they will crawl under the bed. While outside, they will climb into some bush. Or they will prefer a window sill, merging with indoor plants in pots. So - your furry friend may turn out to be a “bush dweller”. The bed is low, when there is a need to hide, a blanket will always help.

Bad feeling. Now let’s put aside our humorous tone. If your once sociable cat suddenly starts seeking solitude and hiding, this is not a good sign. Cats usually hide their pain from their owners until the last minute, preferring to lie aside. You find your pet, and he lies and purrs. Alarm signal: cats purr both from happiness and pain. If at the same time you notice such phenomena as diarrhea, nausea, or the animal refuses to feed or drink, immediately make an appointment with a veterinarian. It is better to notice the ailment at an early stage in order to treat it effectively.

Original : Why Does My Cat Burrow Under The Covers? Author : Carmen Angelica. Source : cuteness.com Photo: pixabay.com

Ambush hunting

Representatives of the cat family are not physiologically adapted to long, exhausting running and prolonged pursuit of prey, preferring hiding to catching up. Even the legendary cheetah sprinter sneaks as close to its prey as possible for a short, quick lunge.

Ambush hunting is common to all cats, and a domestic cat may suddenly imagine itself as a lion, jumping out from under the blanket after some moving object. Young active animals are especially prone to hunting games, loving to arrange a safari on a vacuum cleaner brush or the ankles of the mistress.

Sometimes cats can hide food in secret places, stocking up for a “rainy day,” so finding a dried piece of raw meat in their bed is a common occurrence for a cat owner.

Birth in the den

The desire to find a secluded, safe place and build a “nest” there is typical for pregnant females preparing to give birth to babies.

They are guided by the strongest maternal instinct, since in nature a weakened mother in labor and her defenseless cubs are easy prey for other predators.

The bedroom, in which human owners sleep so peacefully, is regarded by domestic cats as the safest area of the apartment and therefore can make a den for childbirth in the closet with clothes or directly in the bed.

Behavioral precursors to lambing are:

animal anxiety;
refusal of food;
alarming meow.

Some cats refuse to give birth in their house, demanding the presence and help of a person they trust. Sometimes a cat can bring newborn kittens into the owner's bed that she gave birth to in another place.

Safety under the covers

Why does a cat hide a kitten under a blanket? The maternal instinct is strengthened when her offspring do not have a permanent place to live. The cat will constantly try to find a warm and necessarily hidden place where she can raise her litter. If the owner is not satisfied with the cat and kittens constantly staying under the blanket on the bed, you need to think about a personal bed for your pet. It is advisable to do this well in advance of the birth so that the cat can accept this place and not drag the kittens back to the sofa.

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.

What should a person do?

If a cat crumples a blanket, a bed or a person with its front paws, this means that it is showing its love, care and affection. The cat comes to share its energy and absorb everything negative. Therefore, it is not worth punishing, shouting or beating animals for such manifestations. Otherwise, the animal will close down, become aggressive and may even begin to take revenge.

If a cat wrinkles a blanket or clothes, purrs and at the same time releases its claws, you should take care of their length. Owners can also resort to other tricks:

Stroke your pet's paws from above, which will make him hide his claws;
Place a thick blanket or pillow under the cat's paws;
While stroking the cat's head, place the cat on its side or back, which will change the force of the impact;
Distract your cat's attention with a soft toy.

In any case, such actions, especially the soft massage and purring of the cat, speak of his deep feelings, affection and love for the person. But the theory of zoologists that cats are ways to treat humans deserves special attention.

Felinotherapy is a special, therapeutic technique that can be used by anyone who is not allergic to wool. Another interesting ability of animals is to sense a person’s mood and problems. Because of this, the pet can independently come to the rescue and relieve stress. You should not refuse such attention, because the purring of a cat relieves stress and tension and calms the nervous system.

By the way, the purring of a cat helps to thicken the bones, which they use to heal fractures. This is due to the fact that the vibration frequency of sound is from 20 to 50 Hz, which has a good effect on the condition of bone tissue.

Due to the positive effects of purring and cat massage, animals are used to treat schizophrenia, cerebral palsy and autism.

What not to do when a cat tramples a blanket with its front paws:

Scold and shout;
Beat and use physical violence;
Trim nails too short;
Limit the animal’s impulses to show tenderness and care;
Abort a cat if she is in heat.

It is necessary to appreciate such animal impulses as the desire to trample the blanket with its paws and massage the owner. Because there are a number of understandable reasons for this, starting with innate instincts and ending with a state of excitement during estrus. There is no need to limit such behavior, and especially not to scold and beat the cat. All you need to do is use a few simple techniques and trim your nails. In addition, paw massage will help relieve tension, relieve pain and even some diseases. Not to mention the charge of positive emotions.