One hiding spot per room: why cats need several hideouts at home
Being able to withdraw from view is one of the five pillars of a healthy feline environment, as defined in the joint AAFP and ISFM guidelines published in 2013 in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery: a cat needs constant access to essential resources, but also one or more safe spaces to retreat to undisturbed (study on Google Scholar). A study by Vinke, Godijn and van der Leij, published in 2014 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, found that newly arrived shelter cats given a simple closed box to hide in returned to relaxed behaviour significantly faster than cats given no such refuge (study on Google Scholar). Find our home-setup guidance in the bedding and habitat section.
A hideout, not a locked cupboard
An effective hiding spot does not need to be elaborate: an upturned box with an opening, a hard-sided carrier left out permanently in a corner, or the inside of a low piece of furniture all work well. What matters is that the cat can disappear from sight entirely, with access never blocked by a closed door. A fabric igloo placed up high, on a cat tree for instance, serves the same purpose while combining the need to retreat with the instinct to watch from above: our guide to wall-mounted cat trees covers models that build in this kind of shelter.
How many, and where
The AAFP/ISFM guidelines recommend at least one hiding spot per room the cat has access to, and more in a household with several cats or with children and other pets, so that reaching a refuge never depends on a power struggle between individuals. In a multi-cat home, this mirrors the same duplicated-resource principle already applied to bowls and litter boxes: our guide to how many litter boxes a cat needs applies the same logic of spreading resources through the space.
An everyday need, not just a stress response
Contrary to a common assumption, hiding spots are not only useful during a house move, a new baby, or fireworks: a perfectly confident cat still uses its refuges regularly day to day, especially for naps. It is a sudden, prolonged drop in their use — not occasional use itself — that should raise concern. For more intense one-off situations, our guide to a reassuring hiding spot during storms and fireworks covers additional setup to have ready.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cat that hides a lot mean it is unhappy?
Not necessarily: some cats, more timid or more independent by nature, naturally rest in their hideouts more often. A sudden change in frequency, up or down, is what deserves attention.
Should the hiding spot be fully enclosed?
No, the opening should stay clear at all times: a refuge that another pet or a closed door can block loses its purpose and can even become an added source of stress.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.