Just like humans, cats can show fear for a variety of reasons. This emotion is an important ally of their survival, as it allows them to stay alert and escape possible predators or other threats. It is normal for your cat to be startled and afraid of certain loud noises or unknown stimuli in his environment, since his senses are very sharp. However, fear can appear as a negative symptom of your kitty's physical and mental he alth.
In this article on our site, we summarize the main causes of fear among felines. And if you're wondering how to approach a fearful cat to help him, you'll also learn key tips for approaching a fearful or timid feline without causing negative feelings.
Why is my cat afraid?
As we have mentioned, a cat can become fearful when surprised by unknown or aggressive stimuli. This is part of his survival mechanismIf your feline hears a very loud noise, for example, he may run away and hide somewhere dark and difficult to access, where he finds a refuge to feel safe. However, if your feline is very fearful or scares very easily, you should be vigilant and quickly take him to the veterinary clinic to rule out any he alth problem
Felines that have a history of physical and emotional abuse, were abandoned or were born on the streets, are especially vulnerable to psychological distress. If you recently adopted a puppy or adult cat, you should be very attentive to their behavior to quickly perceive the symptoms of fear, insecurity or self-defensive aggressiveness. It is also important to respect their period of adaptation to the home, while stimulating their curiosity to explore the new environment and its various stimuli. It will be very important to have the help of an expert in ethology or feline education to establish specific guidelines that help your cat to regain his self-confidence and express himself safely.
If your cat is very fearful or shy, this may also be a symptom of poor socialization or some trauma developed after certain negative experiences. In addition, it is essential to rule out possible pathological causes, such as diseases that alter their sensory capacity or cause intense pain.
In all the cases mentioned, it is essential to consult your trusted veterinarian to find out the cause of your cat's fearful behavior. In the veterinary clinic, the professional will be able to carry out the appropriate evaluation to diagnose the cause of the fear and the possibilities of treatment.
Step by step to approach a cat with fear
There are various causes that can cause a feline to appear fearful and frightened. A cat can be scared in a new house, so much so that it seems that he is afraid of everything, so he hides and does not want to come out. If this is your case and you notice that the cat is afraid of you or of any other stimulus, take note of these tips:
- Keep calm and act normal: It may seem like "silly" advice, but it is one of the most fundamental aspects of approaching to a fearful cat for sure. Animals are very sensitive and quickly perceive changes in our mood. If you approach a fearful cat with an altered posture (either fear or anxiety), this will increase the stress of this situation, and encourage the cat to try to defend itself or escape from your presence. Try to maintain a relaxed body posture, do not stare at him or make sudden actions. You can also approach from the side.
- Speak softly: As mentioned, cats have very sensitive hearing. If you approach a fearful cat by speaking very loudly or yelling, this stimulus will be aggressive to the feline ears and will disturb the animal's tranquility even more. Ideally, speak softly, preferably in low, high-pitched, positive tones that convey confidence.
- Move slowly and slowly: You will probably have to walk to approach the cat, and you should do it slowly with a calm posture. But it is important to keep a safe distance, especially if it is an unknown feline. If you move quickly or run to catch up, the cat will take it as a chase or a threat. Observe his body language at all times and if you notice that when you get closer he tries to move away or hide more, keep a safe distance.
- Encourage him to come closer: Ideally, the cat is motivated to move in your direction. Jumping on a frightened cat or trying to grab it by force are not positive attitudes at all, since they cause more fear to the animal and favor the development of self-defensive behaviors. Also, it is very likely that the cat will manage to escape anyway, due to its impressive agility. You can encourage him to come out of hiding with tasty food, toys, or kind words.
Tips to attract a scared or shy cat
The principle of attracting any feline is to stimulate their curiosity in an environment that offers the least amount of negative or aggressive stimuli, such as loud noises. That is to say: encourage him to want to discover some object or some aroma in an environment in which he feels safe to proceed calmly. Cats love to be mentally stimulated as they are highly intelligent. This remarkable feline intelligence will be precisely our best ally to gain the trust of a fearful or timid cat.
If you have recently adopted your beautiful kitten, you must understand that each feline has its own time to adapt to the new home. Your little one is likely to spend a lot of time hiding and be fearful or shy for a few weeks, which can naturally come to worry you. However, if you are wondering how to get a cat out of hiding, you should know that you should never force him to come outfrom his hiding place so as not to cause more stress. The ideal is to attract him to discover an object that causes him a lot of curiosity, such as a toy, a cardboard box with an exquisite treat inside, or a simple paper or cardboard bag.
An excellent option is to give him or make yourself a wand with colorful feathers on its end, which is one of the most precious toys for cats. To attract your cat, you must wave the wand to simulate the flight of a bird, keeping a reasonable distance to allow it to move forward safely. Remember to start by gently waving the wand so as not to scare your kitty. Little by little, you will be able to increase the rhythm of the game, as well as the complexity of the mental stimuli that you offer.
At each good attitude and demonstration of bravery of your feline, remember to recognize his effort and reward him using positive reinforcement, to continue stimulating his learning and conquering his affection. It is not about offering him food, you can also use your voice, caresses or a positive attitude towards him.
It is not always easy to approach a cat that is afraid or shy by nature, especially in situations of extreme stress, such as a rescue. As you can imagine, on the streets, it is very difficult to isolate yourself from negative stimuli or aggressive noise. For this reason, it is usually more efficient to use food to attract the feline, than to arouse its interest in playing. Just like us, cats have a hard time saying "no" to their favorite foods and treats. And taking into account that the animal may have suffered some type of violence, it is natural for it to be afraid and avoid playing with a human being.
It is worth noting that, with proper socialization and the dedication of his guardian, a rescue cat will adapt and be willing to have fun in his new home.
