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 is important that the animal knows and is aware that we are going to do nothing bad, otherwise the only thing we will achieve is that it feels even worse and runs away or that it chooses to attack us if it cannot escape. So I'm going to tell you how to help a scared cat so that in this way you know what to do to make you feel calm.
How to know if a cat is scared?
Although some signs are very obvious, there are others that can go unnoticed. For this reason, we need to know how to identify a frightened cat from another that is simply playing. To do this, we have to observe their body language. A furry that is not going through its best moment will present 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 it up, because doing so will most likely end up with the occasional scratch. We have to be aware that the cat, at this moment, only thinks about one thing: flee. So to help you we can put four drops of Rescue Remedy in your water and food. This is a very effective flower essence to calm a cat.
Another thing we can do is buy Feliway in diffuser and plug it in at home. This product is a synthetic pheromone of which the cats themselves secrete on their face and pads to feel good, so that in situations of stress and / or anxiety Feliway it is a very interesting remedy.
Lastly, try to avoid making sudden movements and loud noises. When we have a scared cat, you have to be patient and calm to try to convey that feeling. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you look at him from time to time with narrowed eyes and that you do not go directly towards him. This will show him that you not only love him but also respect him.
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 times, your cat will hide for a day or two when he is introduced to a new home. Sometimes a traumatic experience, such as taking him to the vet or bringing a new animal home, it can interrupt your routine and send your cat 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 hides but is healthy, leave him alone. It will come out when it's ready. Forcing him out of hiding will only make him more scared. Make sure they have easy access to food, water, and a litter box. Clean the litter box and change the food and water every day to see if he is eating and drinking.
Food is a great motivator for catsSo 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.
In the meantime, 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 it.
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? Does he run under the bed when the doorbell rings? Does it attack other pets or humans? While a normal dose of caution keeps cats out of harm's way, extreme fear makes them ill. Fortunately, There are things you can do to calm your cat's fears, although it will take time and patience. Some tips are:
- 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 afraid in specific situations, like when a stranger goes to the house, focus on overcoming that particular fear. Every time someone comes around, treat your cat to a treat so they know it's okay for that person to be there. These situations will take longer, and you may be able to enlist the help of understanding friends or family who come in regularly.