When we find a frightened cat, or if we have adopted a furry one and as soon as we get home it has hidden under the sofa, we have to take a series of measures so that, first, it remains safe and, second, that it begins to trust in us.
It's important that the animal knows and understands that we're not going to hurt it, because otherwise, all we'll achieve is making it feel even worse and causing it to run away or attack us if it can't escape. Therefore, I'm going to tell you how to help a frightened cat so you know what to do to make it feel calm.
How to know if a cat is scared?
While some signs are very obvious, others can easily go unnoticed. For this reason, it's essential to know how to distinguish a frightened cat from one that is simply playing. To do this, we need to observe their body language. A cat that isn't feeling its best will exhibit the following signs:
- It hides
- Spiky hair
- Eyes wide open
- May growl and / or snort
- May try to bite and / or scratch you when you approach
- Has ears back
What to do to help you feel better?
The most important thing is not to try to pick him up, as doing so will most likely result in a few scratches. We must be aware that the cat, at this moment, is only thinking about one thing: escaping. Therefore, to help him, we can add four drops of Rescue Remedy to his water and food . This is a very effective flower essence for calming a cat.
Another option is to purchase a Feliway diffuser and plug it in at home . This product is a synthetic pheromone similar to those secreted by cats themselves on their face and paw pads to feel good, so Feliway is a very useful remedy in situations of stress and/or anxiety.
Finally, try to avoid sudden movements and loud noises . When you have a frightened cat, be patient and remain calm to try to convey that feeling. Therefore, it's highly advisable to look at it occasionally with your eyes half-closed and not approach it directly. This will show it that you not only love it but also respect it.
Each cat is a world
Every cat is different, so each one is scared of different things. Each cat also has its own way of responding to fear. A naturally shy cat may be afraid of many things and spend much of its life in hiding, while a naturally confident cat will be less afraid and generally recover more quickly from frightening events.
For example, a cat may confront a strange dog by hissing, spitting, and snorting to make it look big. Or you may decide to cut your losses and overcome a hasty withdrawal. Some cats are so overwhelmed with fear that they just freeze, they are too terrified to run. A really relaxed cat, on the other hand, may not see the dog as a threat; he can just smell the dog and walk away.
How do you know if your cat is afraid?
Your cat may display the following behaviors when it is fearful:
- Flees
- It hides
- Becomes aggressive
- Remains motionless
- Loses bladder or bowel control
- Releases gases
- Doesn't want to use the litter box
- Has obvious physical changes
What are the common triggers for fear?
You will need to observe your cat carefully to determine the reasons for his fearful behavior. Here are some common triggers:
- A loud noise or rapid movement.
- A strange environment
- A strange person or animal
- An active child
- A stressful event, such as a move or a trip to the vet.
What fearful behavior is normal?
Some fearful behaviors are acceptable and normal. For example, most cats will feel insecure or scared in a new environment. Often, your cat will hide for a day or two when introduced to a new home. Sometimes, a traumatic experience, such as a trip to the vet or bringing a new pet into the house, can disrupt their routine and send your cat hiding under the bed for a few days.
But some cats are so scared that they seem to live in an almost constant state of anxiety, or they can redirect their fear of aggression towards people or other pets.
How can you help your scared cat?
Here are some basics:
If your cat is hiding but otherwise healthy, leave it alone . It will come out when it's ready. Forcing it out will only make it more afraid. Make sure it has easy access to food, water, and a litter box. Clean the litter box and change the food and water daily to check if it's eating and drinking.
Food is a great motivator for cats , so if yours are afraid of someone in the house, give that person the task of feeding them.
What should you do if your cat becomes aggressive?
If your cat threatens you, another person or another pet, and the behavior is not an isolated incident, you should seek help from a cat behavior specialist as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, to keep everyone safe, confine your cat to an area of ​​the house where you can keep all interactions with him to a minimum and have a responsible person supervise him.
Treat all cat bites and scratches seriously; remember that they can easily become infected.
How to make your scared cat more confident
Working with fearful cats can be challenging because people often mistake their behavior for aggression. Does your cat hiss at strangers? Run under the bed when the doorbell rings? Attack other pets or humans? While a normal dose of caution keeps cats safe, extreme fear is detrimental to their well-being. Fortunately, there are things you can do to soothe your cat's fears, though it will take time and patience. Some tips include:
- Create a calm environment. Cats are observant and very cautious by nature. They take the time to get to know everything and everyone before they feel comfortable enough to explore and socialize. With shy or fearful cats, it's best to let them figure it out on their own, but there are ways to encourage it. Provide your cat with quiet places where they feel safe and can escape when necessary.
- A bedroom for the cat. Sometimes having a new home to explore is too much for a cat, so you may want to temporarily reduce your cat's range. Remember that cats are territorial, so having a large space to "monitor" can be overwhelming. Creating a room just for your cat can be a good approach. It creates a home within a home and has all the comforts a kitten needs, including food, litter, a bed, and toys. This can become a safe haven in any vacant room that doesn't get a lot of normal traffic. It is not forbidden for people, of course, but it can offer comfort to your cat.
- Let it explore little by little when it is a new home. At first, you can keep your feline's bedroom door closed until your cat adjusts to his environment. After a while, open the door and let her explore the rest of the house at her own pace. This can be at night when everyone is asleep and that's fine. You can also leave a bowl of treats in another room to encourage your cat to explore more often and close possible hiding places.
- Keep calm. Encouraging shy cats to break their cycle of fear takes time. Be very patient and don't force your cat to do anything. That means you shouldn't stick your head under the bed or carry it and place it anywhere in the house against their will. This will only reinforce the scared behavior.
- Let the cat come to you. You can motivate the interaction by speaking quietly and offering positive experiences, but don't pressure them. If there is one person in the home that the cat is particularly uncomfortable with, have them feed the cat. Over time, the cat will learn that people are not a threat.
- Offer positive experiences. Like dogs, cats do best when they are offered positive experiences. Offer your cat treats and toys to ease his fear. Encourage interaction with toys that cats can't resist, but give them space. A long feather wand is perfect because the cat can play with you while maintaining what it perceives as a safe distance.
If your cat is very fearful, place feline treats near him and walk away. Over time, approach slowly or stay longer each time you do this and speak in a soft, encouraging tone.
For cats that are fearful in specific situations, such as when a stranger comes to the house, focus on helping them overcome that particular fear . Each time someone visits, give your cat a treat so they know it's okay for that person to be there. These situations will take more time, and you may find it helpful to understand friends or family members who visit regularly.