If your cat often sits under the bed, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat sit under the bed? Likely reasons why your cat sits under the bed are that it wants something from you, it feels safer there, separation anxiety, or that it simply likes the spot.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat sits under the bed and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat go under the bed?
Below are some possible causes and what would make them more likely.
It wants something from you
The cause could be that it is waiting to get something from you. This would be more likely if your cat does it more just before you have given it something such as food in the morning and it goes under the bed while you are still in the bed.
It feels safer
It could also be the case that your cat sits there because it feels safer. By sitting or sleeping under the bed, it will be able to shield from above and from the sides while having you nearby making it feel safer. This would be more likely if your cat tends to do it more when it might be feeling nervous such as when there are loud noises outside or other animals around.
Separation anxiety
Another reason could also be that your cat has some separation anxiety. This would be more likely if your cat only sits under the bed when you are there and if it follows you to other places as well.
It likes the spot
It could also be the case that your cat simply likes the spot. This would be a lot more likely if your cat also sits under the bed when you are not on the bed yourself. In this case, it could help to give it another place to sit.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always sat under the bed
If your cat has not always gone under the bed, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that there was an event that caused it to start. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that it learned that the behavior gets rewarded or because something caused it to be anxious without you and to hide under the bed.
What is different when your cat does not sit under the bed
If your cat has been going under the bed at a specific time, it would also help to consider the timing of when your cat does it. For example, if it tends to go there when you are not around and it follows you around when you are around, the cause would be likely to be separation anxiety.
What to do about your cat sitting under the bed
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
Give it another place to sit
The first option would be to encourage your cat to sit or lie somewhere else. One way to do so would be to put a cat bed where you want your cat to sit and to put your cat there whenever it tries to sit under the bed.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious without you
It could also help to try to limit reasons why your cat might get anxious when you are not around. Ways to do so could include giving it a safe spot it can go to without you and to feed it before leaving it and to give it access to water and a litter box when you are not around.
Reward it for sitting somewhere else
It would also help to encourage your cat to sit elsewhere by rewarding it when it sits there and not rewarding your cat too much when it sits under the bed.
Let it do it
If your cat has been going under the bed constantly and it has been being very anxious, it would likely help to take it for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.
Why does my cat sleep under the bed?
Likely reasons why your cat sleeps under the bed are that it feels safer there and/or it likes the spot. If it only does it when you are there, the cause would be likely to be separation anxiety.