Luckily my kitten isn't doing this but from reading the answers to some of the questions posed, you hear a lot that when cats are really hurt or are ready to die, they often go to hide before this. Does anyone know why they do this? What's the reason behind it?
2006-08-08 04:43:15 · 11 answers · asked by choyryu 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I think they are seeking a place of safety and comfort. But they don't all go off and hide. I had one little old girl (16 years) whose "comfort spot" was by my side. She came to me and tried to get up on the couch, but she couldn't. I picked her up and cuddled her, and laid her down next to me. At some point I laid down my book to go get a drink, and that's when I noticed she wasn't breathing. At least she was "at peace".
2006-08-08 05:12:48 · answer #1 · answered by kj 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
When it comes to cats they do go off and hide if they are ever hurt or sometimes close to death. It is their instinct to do so and no matter how happy they are with their current life or how close they are to their humans it is by nature they go off like that. To you or me and may not make any sense but I guess in the animal world it makes the difference between life and death. When an animal is injured it tents to go off and hide for a number of reasons. First of all to get away for any predators - not that there is any inside your household. Another reason is so that it can tend to its wounds by being able to rest without any worry. The same applies for when a feline is close to death. There instincts tell them they are not well and should go off and hide in order to overcome the health issue. Whether or not they actually know it is death they are fighting is another thing. But before cats were tame and running wild this is what they knew. You can't change their instincts any easier than they way they just know how to look after their new borns. Truly remarkable animals. T
2006-08-08 04:55:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Humans also "hide" before they die as well, in a hospital or in recluse in their home. Imagine you're sick and ready to die and your relatives are petting you and making you want to do what they want. Humans, like cats, use their animal instincts to meets thier needs. Unfortunately, humans continue to pretend they are fine and don't hide/rest. Cats on the other hand are much more aware and do what they need to do regardless of what thier owner is going to think of them. Want to find peace? Take notes from a cat.
2006-08-08 05:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by empowered2008 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Instinct tells a cat to hide where a predator can't find them. When a cat is ill, it may think it is being stalked - so it hides." (Found @ http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/whycat.htm)
When I brought my cat home when she was sick (and she had had an esophagostomy tube inserted), she immediately went under the couch. She felt pretty vulnerable and by instinct, hiding keeps them safer (it's harder to get better from illness when defending yourself).
Same for a cat with kittens, a cat will want to make sure the kittens will be safe from predators when born, so giving birth in a hiding place is instinct.
2006-08-08 04:55:31 · answer #4 · answered by tempteq 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Because they are scared and they are in pain. They don't realize that someone can help them. They want to get away from as much stimulation as possible so they will find a quiet, dark, location. Same thing when they are giving birth. It has nothing to do with trying to spare someone's emotions. It's an instinct to get away from noise and people.
2006-08-08 04:54:46 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa H 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most people think that it is because of instincts, but personaly I believe it is because they can't bear to see you in pain when they die. I think it is a good theory because cats know when you hurt or are in pain.
2006-08-08 06:01:40 · answer #6 · answered by cliderocker50 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Supposably budd. they dont want there owners to be watching them when they die becuase they dont want to make there owners all sad and depressed. I think im not sure. Ive heard that somewere. Im not sure. Look it up on google! I bet you'll find some cool answers there!
2006-08-08 05:10:29 · answer #7 · answered by FerretLover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i never thought about this before, but now that i do, my dads cat hid on top of a filing cabinet. maybe because they don't feel good and want to be left alone.
2006-08-08 04:49:11 · answer #8 · answered by anonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they want to be alone when they die
2006-08-08 05:12:27 · answer #9 · answered by rissapissa94 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that ailing cats, love their owners so much, that they don't want them to see them die, so they go off not to cause pain to their "mommy or daddy". I swear I have heard that 100 times!!!
2006-08-08 04:51:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋