Why is my cat frightened

For some fears, the cause will be clear. For others it can be hard to know exactly why your cat is afraid. But knowing the source of the fear can be really useful to help your cat get better. Fortunately, there are still lots of ways you can help them.

If your cat has severe fears or phobias, they may need a 'behaviour modification plan' which helps to change their behaviour and make them less afraid. One of the most well-known techniques is de-sensitisation. This is a process of gradually exposing your cat to something in a slow, positive and controlled way. Most people think about it being used for dogs but it can help cats, too. Contact your vet and an accredited behaviourist to find out more. For some fears or phobias, for example the vacuum cleaner, you can buy a special de-sensitisation CD which will have common sounds on.

You can introduce these to your cat over time so they learn not to be scared. You need to start the process by putting the CD on a very low volume and giving your cat lots of praise and rewards this could be a tasty snack or a fun game.

When your cat becomes comfortable with the noises, you can turn the volume up slightly. Always make sure they are happy and relaxed with the current volume before turning it up. If they start to show signs of anxiety or stress, stop and restart the process at the lowest volume.

Cats may take a while to get used to new noises so be patient and make sure you start the process as early as possible. Remember, there are some things your cat should want to run away from so be careful about desensitising your cats to noises like car engines as this could make them a little too confident around traffic.

Some cats will need medication to help with their anxiety alongside behavioural treatment plans. There are a number of different medications that are licensed or recommended for cats.

Never use human anti-anxiety medications on your cat. Speak to your vet if you think your cat may need medications to help with their fear. Check out our video for tips on making the perfect cat den:. When your kitten is young they find it much easier to learn how to respond confidently to different situations which helps them become happy adults.

This will help them learn how to respond when they come across them in future. This process is called socialisation. You can find out more about socialising your kitten in our guide.

Our vets give their advice on keeping your feline friend stress-free and as relaxed as possible at home. Read our free advice on preparing your cat for fireworks season and keeping them calm and happy. You will need to let both of them interact and see that they co-exist. Remember to give her the time to socialize. Your cat should be exposed to the things that made her scared. This process will help her negative experience turn into a positive one. Offer her a treat when she starts to calm down.

Your cat may look forward to something that previously provoked a fear response. Play and cuddle with your cat. Introduce them to some toys and start playing with them to strengthen your bond. Playing distracts your cat and improves their temperament. You can light scented candles in your home or play some classical music. Natural herbs can also help in calming down anxious cats. Catnip, hops, and chamomile are some suitable herbs you can offer in small quantities. Treats are the best trainer.

However, make treats special and rare and not a commonplace occurrence. Many cats react positively to cbd oil such as Anxious Paws and to calming synthetic pheromones like Feliway or Comfort Zone. The most recommended option for cats acting scared or anxious is the Feliway Diffuser see on Amazon. There are some fearful behaviors that are normal and acceptable. With love, patience and willingness to do your part to help, your cat should soon learn that they have nothing to fear and will regain their healthy curiosity towards their environment.

Most common causes why a cat may suddenly act scared are: 1. A sudden change or disruption in her routine Her sense of arrangement may get disrupted by new things, people, animals or changes of environment. A traumatic experience A traumatic experience may play a role in this sudden change such as a fearful behavior caused by negative associations she experienced in her early life or as a kitten.

Lack of exposure The cat may have never received adequate exposure to certain things when she was young which causes her to be scared of those things in adult life. Your cat has been poorly socialized Kittens need plenty of human interaction within the first two months of their life if they are to be comfortable living with human owners.

Positive play interaction could also reap rewards as many cats find games irresistible. Using a toy, attached to a string and a long rod, would enable your cat to enjoy the game fully without feeling you are too close.

See playing with your cat. If your cat progresses, even slowly, you are likely to be dealing with an animal which is overcoming a fear rather than one which has missed out during its socialising period as a kitten. Build on your successes gradually.

Remember that cats feel safe in high places so when you progress to letting the cat out in the room with you, provide it with a high perch where it can sit in safety and watch the world go by beneath. Any change in behaviour, particularly one as dramatic as this, should not be ignored so the best advice would be to contact your veterinarian and arrange for your cat to have a thorough examination.

This behaviour may be a sign of illness or pain but if no physical cause is found your veterinarian will refer you to a behaviour specialist who will be able to advise further. All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. However, as a charity, we need your support to enable us to keep delivering high quality and up to date information for everyone.

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