For many cat owners, a skittish cat who retreats under the bed at the slightest sign of perceived danger is a common sight. This behavior stems from a cat’s natural instinct to assess new or frightening situations from a safe distance. While it might seem like a harmless coping mechanism, allowing your cat to consistently hide under the bed can present significant challenges and even risks. This article explores why it’s important to address this behavior and provides practical solutions for owners.
Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Cat Hide Under the Bed
The concept of “the unders,” as coined by renowned cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy, refers to inaccessible spaces where cats can hide, such as under furniture. Galaxy strongly advises against allowing cats access to these areas, and for good reason.
One of the primary concerns is that these hiding spots can prevent owners from accessing their cats in emergency situations. There have been heartbreaking accounts of cat owners unable to retrieve their pets from under beds when forced to evacuate their homes quickly due to fires or other urgent circumstances.
Furthermore, allowing a cat to hide under the bed without intervention does not help them overcome their fears. As Galaxy points out, true parental love sometimes involves challenging our pets to grow, rather than simply providing comfort. When cats continually retreat to these safe zones, they are not developing the resilience needed to face their anxieties. This can hinder them from becoming the most confident versions of themselves. The author of the original article shares a personal experience where her cat, Ruby, hid under the bed in her final days. The inability to reach her during this critical time spurred the author to actively block off such spaces for her other cats.
How to Block Off Access Under Your Bed
If your cat has a favorite hiding spot under the bed, it’s crucial to provide them with alternative safe spaces before blocking off their preferred location. This helps them still feel secure while you redirect their behavior.
Give Your Cat Alternate Hiding Places
When you decide to block off access to under the bed, especially if your cat considers it their primary safe haven, it’s essential to offer suitable alternatives. Options such as cardboard boxes, covered cat beds, or cat caves can provide the necessary sense of security. These alternatives allow your cat to retreat and observe their surroundings without disappearing into an inaccessible area.
How I Blocked Off the “Unders”
The author utilized a combination of under-bed storage containers and pillows to block access. Body pillows proved particularly effective due to their size and ease of placement, even if they didn’t perfectly span the width of the bed.
Instead of completely sealing off the space, the author intentionally left a small opening. This allows her cat, Allegra, to still retreat under the bed when startled, while the bed skirt maintains a cave-like effect. Crucially, this partial blockage ensures that the author can easily reach Allegra if she needs to be retrieved. This approach balances the cat’s need for a safe retreat with the owner’s ability to access them when necessary. It’s important to consider that cats may scratch furniture when feeling insecure or bored, so providing appropriate scratching alternatives is also key.
Do your cats hide under the bed? Have you implemented strategies to prevent this behavior? Sharing your experiences can help other cat owners find effective solutions.
Image: Pixabay
References:
- Jackson Galaxy. “The ‘Unders’: Why Cats Need Them and How to Manage Them.” Jackson Galaxy Website.
- King, Ingrid. “Ruby’s Last Journey: The Moment That Changed Everything.” IngridKing.com, February 26, 2020.
- Amazon Associates Program. Link to covered cat beds and cat caves.
- Amazon Associates Program. Link to body pillows.
- DogCareStory.com. “stop my cat from scratching furniture.”
