Last Updated: 06/05/2025
Cats are masters of hiding loving to be in small cosy spaces. Read about why cats hide how to find them and how to coax them out.
Author: Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 23 minutes - medium read
"Here Puss, Puss, Puss! Come out, come out wherever you are!"
Has that been you lately? Frustratingly, cats are masters of hiding! They love to be in small cosy spaces where they can observe their world and, being such independent souls, will totally ignore you calling them until they are ready to come out!
It can be quite distressing when you can't find your cat. Sometimes they are just in a nice cosy spot and don't want to come out but there are times when they are hiding for other reasons such as:
Anxiety
Illness
New environments or changes to the environment
Pregnant and about to give birth
It is completely normal for cats to pass gas occasionally, and since it is generally silent and odourless, it goes unnoticed. However, excessive or malodorous gas usually indicates an underlying issue and is not considered normal. Excessive flatulence is fortunately much less common in cats than it is in dogs, but still poses a problem for some kitties (and those who have to live with them!).
When a cat is feeling anxious, they may hide in order to feel safe and secure. Hiding gives them a sense of control over their environment. This is a natural defence mechanism that cats use in the wild to avoid predators or threats. New environments, changes to the environment, new people or new pets, lots of noise, or strange smells can all make cats anxious. If your cat is hiding due to anxiety there are ways to help them feel less anxious and hopefully stop them from hiding. It is important to try and identify the cause of their anxiety so you can address it. If the cause is loud noises for example, you can try to create a quiet, calm environment for them. If it is due to changes in their environment, you can try to gradually introduce them to the changes.
There are a number of supplements containing anxiety relieving ingredients, such as casein and L-tryptophan that you can try to help relax your kitty. Casein is a protein found in milk and is known for its calming effect on newborns. L-tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and decreases anxiety. Serotonin is known as 'the happy hormone'. Feliway is a product containing a man-made version of the pheromone that cats release when they are feeling happy or content, and it can be a great aid to decreasing anxiety in cats.
Some cats will hide if they are in pain, injured or unwell. In the wild, cats would hide from predators when they were sick so this is instinctive. If your cat suddenly starts hiding and there have been no changes to their environment or other reasons for them to hide, it is a good idea to get them checked by your veterinarian.
If you have moved to a new house or had some major changes at home (a new baby, a new person or a new pet for example) your cat may go into hiding to try and feel safe to avoid the changes.
To help your cat come to terms with a new environment, introduce them to it slowly. If you have moved into a new house, only allow your cat to be in a small area to start with and gradually increase the area they have access to as they get used to it. Using a pheromone such as Feliway in their environment is a great way to make them feel calm and relaxed.
If you have a new person or pet at home, introduce them to your cat slowly, making sure they are calm around your cat.
Pregnant cats may hide as they are trying to find a safe and secure place to give birth. You can help prevent this by providing several comfy boxes or nests for her and placing them in different areas around the house so she has a few areas to choose from. Choose places that are safe, private, quiet and warm. Show your cat where they are and hopefully she will choose one of them to give birth in rather than hiding somewhere else!
For more information on pregnant cats, read our Pregnant Cat Guide.
Under beds
Behind or under furniture
Up high. Look on top of wardrobes and refrigerators etc.
In cupboards/cabinets
In warm spaces/sunny spots
In washing machines or dryers (close doors and always check these before using as it is extremely dangerous if a cat is in one when it is in use!)
In baskets or boxes
In any cosy nooks
In garages, sheds or outbuildings
Under decks or verandahs
In bushy plants
Under cars or vehicles or under their bonnets or wheel arches
Once you have located your cat, how do you get them to come out?
Your cat can sense when you are anxious or stressed, which can make them more stressed and reluctant to come out. Take a deep breath and try to stay as calm and relaxed as you can.
You can try to lure them out with food or toys. If your cat has a favourite treat or toy, put it near the place they are hiding to try to get them to come out. Make sure to use a calm and reassuring voice. Speak in a soft soothing tone, and avoid making any sudden movements or loud noises that may scare your cat.
Don't despair if your cat doesn't come out straight away. Cats are independant souls, and may take a while to come. Make them a safe and comfortable area where you are trying to lure them out. Provide a cosy bed or blanket, some food and water and their favourite toy and give them some time to emerge. Cats are creatures of habit and may take some time to adjust to a new environment or situation. Provide a safe comfortable environment as described above and keep checking on your cat. Be patient and persistent. Eventually they will come out of hiding.
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
