It’s normal for some cats to prefer a little alone time. If your kitten has always been a little introverted, don’t worry too much about their time under the bed or in a hidey-hole. But if your previously social kitten isn’t interested in engaging, it’s time to investigate whether there is a medical or behavioral issue at hand.
Cats who are stressed will often hide more. What requires a little digging is finding the root of their stress.
First off, what does a stressed or fearful cat look like? Stressed cats often have dilated eyes. They may hold their ears flatter to their head. Their whiskers are often splayed, and they may appear hunched. Some cats will stare directly at threats while remaining relatively motionless. Others may show avoidant behaviors by looking away from threats or facing the opposite direction. If the emotion is not resolved or the cat is pushed beyond their threshold, they may begin to swat, hiss and bite.
Potential causes of cat stress include but aren’t limited to:
- New pets or children in the home
- Moving to a new home
- Maintenance work being done in or around the house
- Rearrangement of furniture
- Dietary changes
- Outdoor cats approaching windows
- Loneliness, depression or lack of enrichment
- Medical conditions
Your kitten is more likely to have a medical condition if you’re also noticing a lack of appetite, changes to elimination habits, signs of an upper respiratory infection (coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes) or other physical changes. However, there is a lot of interplay between physical illness and mental stress. If your kitten won’t come out or isn’t eating, contact your VCA care team to rule out medical conditions.
One more thing! Remember that hiding is a normal cat response to stress. This means you should provide safe places for your kitten to go to decompress, such as an enclosed bed or tall cat tree.
Mental health matters! Familiarize yourself with fears, phobias and anxieties in cats.
