50 Pets Who Thought They Were Ninjas But Ended Up Just Being Derps (New Pics)

A pet folding themselves into a box of tissues or playing hide-and-seek behind a transparent curtain is probably just playful behavior. Nevertheless, there usually is an explanation for them doing these strange things. If they're trying to camouflage themselves into their surroundings, dogs might have one of these four intentions:

1. They're looking for a safe space and just want to be cozy for a couple of hours;
2. They're instinctively looking for places to hide their secret stash of snacks;
3. They're looking for their favorite comfort object (toy, scrap of food, blanket, etc.);
4. They need to regulate their body temperature, either to warm up or cool down.

However, there can be other, more concerning reasons.

Older dogs may retreat to their hiding place if their cognitive abilities are declining. Some dogs develop dementia and become confused about their whereabouts, get anxious, and tend to hide more often if they're feeling overwhelmed.

When dogs get frightened, they look for a safe space to hide. If your pooch ever panicked when fireworks were popping outside, you've probably experienced them hiding under a table or something similar. Thunderstorms elicit similar fears in some dogs, too.

If there have been changes in their environment (construction, new roommates, or moving altogether), a dog might be too stressed. That's when they look for a remote hiding place. If you spend some quality time with your dog and go for plenty of walks, that might reduce the stress.

Illnesses or injuries cause dogs to retreat, too. In this way, dogs are similar to cats, who usually hide when they're in pain or have been injured. This is an instinctual defense mechanism: animals hide away from predators when they're feeling vulnerable.

Hiding is a normal behavior for pregnant cats and dogs. This is called 'nesting,' which essentially is looking for a safe space to give birth. Pets usually look for a secluded, safe space where they will be safe during their most vulnerable time. To mask their and their litter's scent, mothers also consume the afterbirth – that is an instinctual way to protect themselves from predators.

Humans aren't the only species that get anxiety. Pets get anxious too, but that often manifests itself in destructive behaviors, loud barking or meowing, but hiding can also be a symptom. When separation anxiety hits, pets especially look for comfort in things that have their owners' scent. So, they might hide under the bed, sheets, sofa, and so on.

After bringing a new pet into your home, it's no surprise if they hide under the bed. It's especially true for smaller furry pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. According to the experts at Oxbow Animal Health, that's because they're prey species and they're very vigilant about any threats in their environment.

"The sound of a chair being pulled out on a tile floor may not make you duck for cover (you brave human, you), but it could very well be enough to throw off your rabbit’s entire afternoon," they claim.