One: beds are perfect “dens” for scoping out the unknown. There’s enough room to get away from the edges, and lots of bulk up top.
Two: our bed is in our sleeping den. It’s a compliment that a cat will seek security in what is often our quietest, least rowdy room. A place where we hang out at our most calm and quiet.
A place from where we can be observed at our least threatening.
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Even though my own cats are happy and secure, certain events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or guests they don’t know will still send them under our bed. That’s their “safe place.” And I respect that.
A vet visit is normally the only time I’ll drag them out of this safe place. If there was some kind of event that required an emergency evacuation, under the bed is the first place I’d look. By keeping the bed space a generally undisturbed one, I can locate my cats even when they are frightened or sick.
Whatever safe place a cat finds should be respected. This is where we can find them in an emergency.
Cats draw strength from their outlook places. So a cat who is hiding tells us they are insecure and worried about something. A cat who hides under our bed is saying they are hoping we can help them with their worries.
Be the friend they are looking for.
We can sit on the bed, or on the floor beside the bed, and read or compute or talk on the phone. If we want the cat to spend more time out from under the bed, we will signal what a nice place the rest of the room is.
Communicate the message that our bedroom is a place where we are approachable and calm and non-threatening. Often, the first step a scaredy cat takes out from under the bed is to explore the room while we are sleeping.
Let them. Trust will come in little, soft, steps.
When we respect their hiding space, only disturb it when there’s an emergency, and acknowledge their space in quiet ways that do not disturb them, we are telling cats we understand their needs.
We are opening the door for them to find confidence directly from us, instead of just from our bed.
Next time, they will come out from there more quickly.
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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.
Great post. I have a cat that is 19 years old and she has spent her entire life in my bedroom. We lived somewhere else before and it was very active in my house, so she was really nervous and just staying in the bedroom. She will come out every once in a while but the interesting thing is that if someone comes to see me, she comes out to see the guest.
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I find it interesting that after however many years it’s been, the past few my one cat lives on TOP of my bed-it’s where she can find and cuddle with me…(mmm,soo warm…! :3 ) and it’s HER territory that she doesn’t like sharing with any other cat… I don’t let her chase the others off of my bed-because in my room, I’m boss; I let her stay there, and I quite enjoy her merping and socialness-as I’m not very social outside in the real world. She isn’t MY pet… I’m HER pet, hahah! Still… As soon as I turn my attention else where when her and another are together thee, she swats and attacks them-chasing them out of the room, while she stands and glares out my door. But occasionally I’ll find two or more cuddled together on my bed..
Curious friends cats are… Never can quite understand them lol