Why does a cat, cat or kitten hide in dark places and not eat?

Just an hour ago, a friend called me and immediately asked a question: “My cat won’t eat or drink, what should I do?” Naturally, I immediately advised taking the cat to the vet immediately. Then I started asking leading questions. How many days has her pet not drunk? What color is urine? Is he hiding in the dark? Is he lying on the cold floor? The fact that he doesn’t eat is half the problem, but the fact that he doesn’t drink is already very bad. Here the countdown is in hours, not in days. Although they say that cats have seven lives, with such symptoms, and even if they have been present for more than one day, she has little chance of surviving. The most dangerous thing is when the cat does not drink. He approaches the water, looks at it and does not drink. Trying to force her to drink is useless. She'll probably vomit. Don't expect everything to go away on its own. The longer a cat goes without water, the worse it gets. Irreversible processes can begin in the body not only from illness, but also against the background of dehydration.

If they take in too much information at once, they may take a long time to process it. They may not process parts of their environment at all if there are simply too many of them. When you bring your cat home, start with her in the laundry room, bathroom, closet, or other small, warm place. You don't want to put a cat in a large bedroom or office.

As Margaret mentioned, place all of the cat's items in this first room. . Especially dramatic changes in their environment, schedule, company, etc. Even the most aloof cat does not like change. You must ensure that their original environment is changed as little as possible.

The cat just won't stop drinking. This means she has a serious illness. No living creature will ever give up water of its own free will. This is unnatural. No organism can survive without water.

The animal may refuse to eat for some time. This often happens if the cat has eaten low-quality foods, or foods that are strictly forbidden, or simply does not know the limits and is trivial. But refusing water is already a signal.

This will help them become so adjusted to their small room that they will be comfortable enough to explore the next room and then the rest of the house. Make sure your cat's water cup, kitchen dish, and litter box are inside this first small room. You need to make sure that the room can accommodate these items for several weeks. You cannot move these things until the cat has adjusted to the rest of its new environment.

Ideally, the small room in which you first acclimate your new pet will be a permanent location for at least some of the cat's basic needs. Create a routine in which you visit your new pet. . Don't randomize visits too much.

What should you pay attention to first?

Moreover, the signal is serious. Be sure to pay attention to the color of urine and feces. If the urine is dark yellow or mixed with blood, then this is a suspicion. With urolithiasis, the animal often sits down, but cannot walk a little, or walks, but only a little.

Moreover, in pain, the cat can sit on your bed or in a chair or generally in the middle of the room. Under no circumstances should you chase or scold the animal, but take it and run to the veterinarian.

Do not interact with the cat directly unless the cat comes to you. As Margaret's post mentioned, don't do anything loud or disruptive. Just sit in a room and do a quiet task. This is why bathrooms are ideal acclimatization areas for cats - they are of sufficient size, easy to clean, once the mess is made, people will enter the room regularly, and cats will get used to everyone's smells very quickly. There are also fewer things they can squeeze into bathrooms.

Keep an eye on them so they feel safe. . The mix is magical love kisses for cats. If you can maintain eye contact with your cat, never look at them with a wide-open, glaring look. It can be seen as predatory, dominant and confrontational. You don't want your new cat to be intimidated. You want them to feel safe and loved.

But there may be other diseases with the same symptoms. Remember if you ever gave your cat chicken bones? Or maybe you feed your pet cheap dry food? Or does your pet love fish, and out of compassion you give him a lot of it and often?

What should you tell your veterinarian?

All this will need to be told to the veterinarian, then he will be able to more accurately diagnose your pet’s illness. A good veterinarian will never make a diagnosis in absentia or only based on your descriptions, but even without your help he will not be able to quickly find the direction to look for the disease.

No matter how much your cat stares at you, soften your gaze and blink very slowly. Don't close your eyes for a short time and open them halfway. By blinking slowly, you break the dominant act of staring and show the cat that you are not a threat.

Eventually, your cat will start blinking. This means they feel more comfortable around you. Continue to refrain from interacting with the cat if the cat does not come to you, but give them as many slow blinks as you can. Spend a lot of time blinking slowly at them.

Therefore, try to describe your animal’s preferences in as much detail as possible. Even if he likes to nibble flowers or chew garbage bags, you should definitely tell him about it. Perhaps some flower turned out to be poisonous for the cat, or the eaten package got stuck in the stomach.

Perhaps the cat licked its fur and it clogged its intestines. Take a closer look; if a cat has not gone to the toilet for several days and often licks under its tail and on the sides of its tail, then it is most likely tormented. But in such cases the animal does not refuse water.

Indoor cats, especially indoor cats, produce a lot of energy that they need to expend. Despite this, they still need to process this energy somehow. Even if it's a crumpled piece of tin foil on the end of a string or a box or a random curl from a loaf of bread, you can make toys that your new cat will happily chase and be interested in.

If you don't actively play with your cat, this excess energy will translate into restlessness and nervousness. The cat may even become destructive, destructive, or violent. It is up to you to ensure that this energy is processed properly.

In general, don’t drag your feet, grab your pet and run to the clinic.

Remember!
Refusal to drink water is very serious and should not be delayed! The sooner you contact a qualified veterinarian, the greater the chance of recovery. The longer a cat goes without drinking, the less likely it is to survive at all.

Strange cat behavior

Most often, if a cat does not eat or drink, then he tries to hide in a dark place or lies in the coldest place (on the tiles in the bathroom or toilet). That means he has a fever. I don’t recommend focusing on the cat’s nose.

Don't overdo it with food and treats. . Don't coax your cat with food and treat yourself whenever you visit their space. They will come to expect food and treatment whenever you enter the room, and they will resist approaching you without food and treatment if you have trained them to respond to food as the driving force behind their actions.

Some cats can be very nutritious. Fed cats can become fat very easily. If you want to do something like a free feed, in the future you will need to make sure that your cat does not have a bad relationship with treatment and food. Give lectures as a reward for play, as your cat will be in hunting mode when they play, and their bodies are expecting a reward of feeding after the hunt. Don't touch your cat while they eat, but simply be present while they eat. They need to pair you with regular feedings so you feed them on a regular, healthy basis.

We have had cases when the cat’s nose was wet and cold, and the disease progressed with might and main. Or vice versa, the cat’s nose was dry and warm, but she was completely healthy. Now I know that a dry nose is not an indicator.

An animal may refuse to eat and drink even with a simple sore throat or otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear). The cervical lymph nodes are inflamed and the swallowing reflex causes severe pain in the throat. Remember your throat and ear diseases, and then you will understand how difficult it is for the animal. hence the refusal even from water.

Once the cat is acclimated to the small room, open the door to that room, but always make sure that the cat has easy access to the room. The point of getting your cat acclimated to a small room before introducing them into the rest of the house is that you are creating a safe space to discourage them if they become overwhelmed with things outside of the safe space. You create a small part of the territory for them. This small room is a comfortable area.

Once you open the door to the room to expose your cat to a larger area, make sure that the cat can always return to this safe area. Do not move food, water or bedding. Make sure the room is always there and permanent; remember, cats hate change.

You cannot force feed or water an animal. First you need to find out the reason for the refusal. There are times when it is indeed possible and necessary to force feed and water, but you need to know when this can be done, otherwise you can only make the situation worse. This is often done when the animal is severely weakened or has lost its sense of smell.

Many pet owners think that there is nothing wrong with the fact that the cat does not eat or drink, and they begin to sound the alarm only when it is almost too late to do anything.

Make sure there are rewards for your new pet to find as they explore the house - treats on the floor. Place a cat tree in the living room for them to climb. Place a toy from your safe room under the kitchen table so they can find a familiar smell in the new place.

Let them do it the way they want. The more they mark their territory, the faster they will become comfortable in the new space. Avoid touching or interacting with your cat while they branch out and mark the space - this is what they need to pamper themselves. They should be able to return to their safe place in an instant, and if you pick them up and move them too far, they will be stressed because they have no scent and will not know how to get back to their room.

Remember
that the animal refuses water only in the most serious cases, and the sooner you go to the clinic, the greater the chance it has to survive!

And under no circumstances do you self-medicate. And many human medications for cats are simple.

All pets have individual characters and preferences. A cat's temperament depends on its sociality, independence, self-confidence and a number of other factors. Many owners note that their pets tend to lead a secretive lifestyle and for some cats this is quite normal. If your cat hides in dark places, you should be wary, it is quite possible that she is suffering from illness or stress.

Once your cat has adjusted to the rest of the house and you can travel and interact with the family without fear, you are free to place water and water dishes, a bed, or a litter box at your leisure. Make sure that if you move food, water, bed or trash, you show your cat where you put it. They may not like the change, but they will handle it better because the change is happening on their turf.

Signs of a physical illness

Although animal psychologists are sure that in most cases, hiding in a secluded place is associated with the character of the cat, one should not discount such an unpleasant factor of such behavior as the presence of pathological processes in the body. This is especially true in cases where the habit arose suddenly, although the cat had not done anything like this before. That is why the owner must know which behavioral reactions are characteristic of his animal and which are not.

Veterinarians advise owners who are concerned that their furry friend has begun to hide in a dark corner to pay attention to such painful symptoms that appear in parallel, such as:

The animal does not eat anything for a long time.
Uncontrollable thirst or, conversely, the pet practically does not drink water.
The pet began to sleep for a long time.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract in the form of diarrhea.
The cat is vomiting severely.
The appearance of the coat deteriorates, loses color, and the fur becomes lumpy or falls out.

If the owner notices one of the above signs, which has arisen in conjunction with the fact that the cat is trying to hide away from prying eyes, then it is necessary to urgently take him to a veterinary clinic for an examination.

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.

Psychological discomfort

Cats do not have a strong nervous system, so they are extremely vulnerable to stress disorders. If the owner has wondered why the cat is hiding under the sofa or in the closet, then the answer to this may be strong nervous experiences that the animal has recently undergone. These include:

moving to a new place of residence, home renovations or long travel;
sometimes the reason for hiding from the owner is a trip to the veterinarian, after which the cat stops trusting his “boss”;
the appearance of a new pet, child or simply a stranger on the cat’s “territory”;
complete lack of communication between the cat and the immediate owner;
often cats hide because one of the family members treats them badly;
If a cat escaped from home, but was returned back, then it needs some time to recover from the stress it experienced. As a result, she may hide under the bed or just sit behind a chair. This is nothing unusual, just give her time to adapt.

The owner of the animal must clearly understand that prolonged exposure to stress can cause various pathological processes in the cat’s body that negatively affect its health. First of all, the stomach and heart suffer; over time, the immune system weakens, and this makes the entire body vulnerable. Therefore, you need to save your pet from nervous shock as quickly as possible.

Noise

If you're planning a renovation or move, proactively start giving your cat an anti-stress herbal multivitamin supplement about 10 to 14 days before the event. Train your cat to sleep in the carrier and consider it a safe place.

Include comfortable bedding and your cat's favorite treat in the carrier. Remove or open the door slightly. The cat will definitely go there out of curiosity. Never force your cat into the carrier or lock the door.

Let the cat enter and exit the carrier at will. This will come in handy when traveling to the country or visiting the veterinarian. Even during repairs, you simply close the cat in the carrier and take it to a quiet place.

Pregnancy

Pregnant cats sometimes behave very strangely. However, it is important to know that during this period their instincts, laid down by nature itself over thousands of years of evolution, become more acute. In particular, the expectant mother begins to take care of kittens even before the moment of their birth. This is expressed in the form of the fact that she is actively looking for a secluded nest where no one will disturb her.

Caring owners should foresee this moment and arrange such a nook for the animal. The ideal option is a regular cardboard box lined with warm material at the bottom. Such a measure will save owners from searching in the future for squeaking kittens, which the fluffy beauty will hatch in the most inaccessible place.

During pregnancy, cats often become irritable and aggressive; they can meow loudly and even hiss at the owner. Therefore, it is better to save them from the annoying attention of children, as well as loud sounds, so as not to once again disturb the animal, which is already on the verge of nervous exhaustion.

They're just playing

And, of course, almost all cats love to hide in randomly left bags, boxes, and sometimes even vases and pots. Since in nature these animals hunt from ambush, this form of behavior is simply a “game of hunting,” like most games of predators. There is nothing to worry about here, except for one very important aspect. Before you turn on the washing machine, clothes dryer or oven, make sure there is no tailed surprise lurking there. Let cat hide and seek be just pleasant fun!

Svetlana Mosolova

Age

If at an early age a cat runs away to dark places because it is easier to take the owner by surprise, then with older animals the situation is not so clear. A decrepit pet loses its senses, it is no longer attracted to active games and noise, so it is not surprising that it wants to sleep away from all the fuss.

Be respectful of your old pet's needs. He needs more time to recuperate, so try not to make noise in the place where your tailed friend prefers to rest. Veterinarians note that if an elderly animal is not given plenty of rest, it will significantly shorten its life.

Why does a cat hide in a dark place?

Sometimes pets do not show themselves for a long time, which causes anxiety among the owners. The cat hides in dark places, as it considers them the most secluded and quiet refuges. Perhaps the house is too noisy or the animal is getting too much attention. You can find several secluded corners in the house, and the owners usually know where their pet could have gone.

Cats are quite self-sufficient animals and love privacy.

Personal space is very important for cats, so it’s no secret that these pets love quiet places where they are difficult to reach. Below are the main reasons why purring pets go into dark corners.

Correction methods

So, above it was described in detail why a cat hides in dark places at home. Now it’s worth moving on to questions about how to correct this behavior or make it less risky for the animal. In this regard, experts offer a number of effective recommendations, depending on the cause of the behavioral act:

In case of stress disorders, it is necessary to completely eliminate the reason that makes the cat want to hide in the far corner. In addition, it is permissible to use light sedatives, presented in the form of tablets and drops, which the pet should drink at a time when stress is especially strong.
If the cat was hiding due to any disease, and in addition the owner noticed aggravating symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting or severe thirst, then it is necessary to take it to a veterinary hospital.
In cases where the need for privacy in dark places is related to the pet’s character traits, you should arrange a safe and quiet corner for him, where he will feel comfortable when strangers come into the house.
During pregnancy, provide the expectant mother with a nest, which is quite simple to build from the most common means at hand. Then show it to the cat, let her sniff it and examine it carefully. If she didn’t like the place, then move the structure to the room where she already gave birth or where she often went in search of a safe shelter.

Finally, I would like to say that in most cases there is nothing wrong with hiding a furry friend in secluded places. The owner must treat such “oddities” of his pet with understanding and is obliged to protect him from a fatal accident, expressed in getting into the drum of a washing machine along with laundry or being locked in a closet. If the habit appeared abruptly and is accompanied by painful signs, then it is worth showing your pet to a doctor, this will protect him from the risk of dangerous pathologies.

For what reasons does a cat hide in a dark place?

Each cat has its own individual character. Among them there are introverts and extroverts, bolder and more timid animals.

If she is shy, it is common for her to hide at any opportunity. If such behavior is atypical for a cat and he hides in exceptional cases, there is reason to be wary.

Stress

They are sensitive to any changes in their environment. If an animal is scared or unwell, it develops stress. What causes it:

Change of environment (moving, trip to the veterinarian or on a visit, repairs, being outside);
Noise (repairs, loud music, barking dogs);
Tension in the family (conflicts between household members);
The appearance of new animals in the house;
The emergence of new family members;
The pet is experiencing pain or discomfort;

Fear of a cat

To preserve life and health, the animal protects itself from potential danger.

What causes fear in cats:

The appearance of new frightening objects (vacuum cleaner, washing machine, etc.);
New smells (chemicals, the smell of other people’s animals or a fire);
Loud sounds;
Medical procedures;
New animals in the house;
People who allow themselves to treat their pet rudely;
People who like to scream and throw things;
Strangers in the house;
Rearrangement of furniture;
Emergency situations (fire, flood, earthquake);

Pregnancy and childbirth

The instinct to preserve offspring pushes the pet to look for a secluded, quiet and dark place for a nest. A pregnant woman looks for this in advance and arranges it. For these purposes, the most unexpected and hard-to-reach angles are used.

You need to prepare a nest for a pregnant female in advance. To do this, use a cardboard box lined with soft fabric or a wicker basket. Set up the house in a secluded, quiet place where the family will not be disturbed.

The games of domestic cats are no different from the games of their wild counterparts. The game includes elements of hunting. To catch prey, you need to be invisible. To do this, the animal hides securely.

In the house, the animal makes an ambush from under the sofa, closet, or jumps out from under the bathroom. For the “prey” such a jump comes as a surprise, and the predator achieves its goal. Pets often play this game among themselves.

Viruses

Often, when infected with an infection, the pet seeks to find a secluded place. In addition to this sign, animals also present several other symptoms that indicate deviation from the norm.

When infected with an infection, the animal seeks to find a secluded place

Some diseases that provoke a pet to hide in a dark place:

Any other infectious disease can cause a cat to want to hide. To protect your cat from infections, it is vaccinated annually. Cats that never leave the apartment are no exception.

Character

Just like people, pets can be introverts or extroverts. Some cats will happily play in the company of other animals or people, while others will try to behave separately, trusting only one close owner.

Timid animals prefer to be in a kind of shelter, the role of which is wonderfully played by dark, cozy corners (under the bathroom, behind the radiator or under the bed).

Timid animals prefer to be in a kind of shelter, the role of which is wonderfully played by dark, cozy corners (under the bathroom, behind the radiator or under the bed).

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.

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, which 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.

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