Cats are notoriously mysterious creatures when it comes to understanding their behavior. Although they can be friendly, affectionate, loving and sweet, they can also display some less than desirable behaviors.
If you notice any unwanted behavior, such as aggression or hiding, it’s important to understand how to help your cat.
When dealing with unwanted behavior in your cat, it’s best to have your vet check for a medical reason before assuming it’s a behavioral issue.
What causes fear and anxiety in cats?
Sometimes we may not know anything about their past life experiences, so it’s hard to understand their fears and anxieties.
Proper socialization plays an important role in reducing a cat’s fears and anxiety.
Well-socialized catCats (i.e., those who have been around other cats, people and dogs from an early age) tend to be less fearful. This social and environmental contact should be positive, with rewards for good behavior. Hospitality.
The critical period for socialization of young cats is between 2 and 12 weeks of age. Cats that are not properly socialized during this time are more likely to develop fear and anxiety-related behaviors.
Behavioral problems in cats are the main reason cats are surrendered to animal shelters, and oftentimes these undesirable behaviors get worse.
Cats that aren’t properly socialized between the ages of 2 and 12 weeks may be more likely to develop fear and anxiety-related behaviors.
Fear in cats often manifests as avoidance and hiding, but can also manifest as aggressive behaviors such as biting, scratching, hissing and growling.
Anxiety, on the other hand, is characterized by the tension and worry that arise when a cat anticipates danger or a threat. In cats, anxiety and fear often coexist and can cause the same unwanted behaviors.
Prolonged fear or anxiety can lead to repetitive behaviors such as excessive grooming, which can cause skin infections and self-harm.
The most common fears and anxieties in cats
1. Loud noises
Common loud noises that can cause fear or anxiety in cats include:
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firework
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Thunder
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Vacuum cleaner
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lawn mower
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hair dryer
Cats have excellent hearingThis is likely due to the multiple folds in a cat’s ears that make them more sensitive to high frequency sounds. Due to this heightened sense, loud noises often trigger unwanted fearful or anxious behavior in cats, mainly because they are unable to understand what the source of the sound is.
Noise phobia can be overcome by playing the sound that evokes the fear response at gradually lower volumes, then increasing both the volume and the duration of exposure.
2. Strangers
Cats are known for their keen sense of smell, which they use to remember people, places and objects.
When new or strangers arrive in your home, your cat may encounter unfamiliar smells and sights and may instinctively become wary.
Past negative experiences with humans, such as abuse or neglect, can also cause fear and anxiety in cats.
Overcoming this fear requires patience and positive reinforcement: for example, giving guests cat treats and having them sit quietly on the floor helps your cat understand that humans can be friends, not enemies.
3. Water
Cats and water have long been considered enemies, but why?
Looking back at cats’ ancestors, cats often lived in deserts, where water may not have been very important to them.
Cats are also perfectly capable of self-grooming and rarely require baths, so exposure to water can be kept to a minimum when they are young.
Wet fur is uncomfortable for most cats, and the extra weight it adds makes it harder for them to escape predators in the wild. Limited access to water causes many cats to develop a fear or anxiety around it.
4. Changes in the environment
Cats are creatures of habit and are known to be very resistant to change.
Any change in the environment can cause fear or anxiety. This includes changes such as:
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New cat litter
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New toilet or its location
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New Furniture
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Moving to a new home
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The birth of a new baby
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Changing feeding times and locations
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trip
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Exposure to new smells such as cleaning products, perfumes, and scented candles
Such changes can be very stressful for your cat and may lead to undesirable behaviors.
5. Other animals
Bringing a new pet into the home is a common cause of anxiety and fear for cats.
Properly introducing a new pet should be done slowly.
Cats that have not lived with other cats tend to be territorial and may find introductions difficult, especially if they have been kept alone for a long time.
To make the introduction process easier, give your cat an item that has its new housemate’s scent before meeting them face-to-face.
6. Humans
Bringing a new family member into the home can be very stressful for a cat. Research suggests Introducing a new person into the home has been shown to cause more fear and anxiety in cats than introducing another pet into the home.
Female cats are more likely than males to behave aggressively out of fear or anxiety. Interestingly, the age of a newcomer to the home doesn’t seem to correlate with how stressed or anxious a cat feels about that person.
7. Veterinary examination
Fear and anxiety in cats is common A visit to the vetWhether it’s for a routine check-up or when they’re sick, cats need to see a vet, and studies have shown that cats who have regular annual vet visits tend to feel less fear and anxiety during vet visits.
On the other hand, cats that haven’t been to the vet in the past two years are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior due to fear or anxiety.
Regular vet visits not only help monitor your cat’s health, they also help your cat become accustomed to the vet’s environment, making them less stressed at their next appointment.
8. Confined Spaces
Cats, like some people, can be afraid of small spaces. Most cats, A small, cozy place to hideBeing trapped and unable to go outside can make them feel scared and anxious.
The enclosed space that cats find most unsettling is Cat carrierSome cats tolerate carriers well, but many dislike their presence.
The carrier itself may become an object of fear, and it may become associated with unpleasant experiences such as infrequent visits to the vet, travelling, loud noises and unfamiliar smells and sounds.
These factors can lead to undesirable behavior caused by fear or anxiety when your cat is in the carrier.
Keeping the carrier open and visible for your cat to access will help your cat become accustomed to its presence. Delicious snacksor give them toyIt’s all about associating the crate with positive behaviors and things that your cat enjoys.
Providing your cat with a blanket or t-shirt that smells like a favourite person can also help them feel relaxed in their crate. Feliway® also produces pheromone sprays that help cats and reduce stress and anxiety.
9. Cucumber
A few years ago, a viral video on the internet popularized the idea that cats are afraid of cucumbers.
Videos like this one show cats jumping into the air in fear when presented with a cucumber. There are many theories as to why cats have a fear reaction to cucumbers, including that cucumbers resemble snakes, which are natural enemies of cats.
but, Cornell University Feline Health Center This suggests that cats’ fear of cucumbers is likely simply a reaction to a novel object.
The fear likely stems not from the cucumber itself, but from the unknown properties of the object.
10. Lack of hiding places
Having safe places to hide is crucial to your cat’s health and wellbeing – cats use these hiding places to prevent fear and anxiety responses, and provide a special place that provides both comfort and safety.
Cats often Small, isolated space or High places Lack of space to retreat to within the home can lead to unwanted behavior.
Providing your cat with its own dedicated hiding place (ideally one with two entrances and exits) will make your cat feel safer and more vulnerable, significantly reducing anxiety and fear.
How to prevent fear and anxiety in cats
Fear and anxiety in cats can be prevented in a number of ways. Effective strategies include:
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Early Exposure and Desensitization: To avoid future fears, get your kitten used to a variety of sounds and situations from a young age – this process is called desensitization, and involves gradually getting your kitten used to potentially frightening stimuli such as the vacuum cleaner, new people and rearranged or new furniture.
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Counter Conditioning: Help your cat form positive associations with things that once caused fear or anxiety by gradually exposing her to these triggers while providing reassurance and treats to create positive experiences.
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Safe Space: Make sure your cat has several safe places where she can hide or retreat if she feels anxious or scared. These places should be quiet and inaccessible to other pets and family members.
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Environmental consistency: Keep your cat’s environment consistent by using the same brand and scent of cat litter and keeping the litter box in place. Predictability reduces stress and anxiety in cats.
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supplement: Consider using a supplement designed to reduce fear and anxiety in cats, such as Feliway®. Solikin®, oral supplements, and Calming Care®, probiotics. These supplements can help relieve mild anxiety.
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Prescription drugs: As a last resort, if you have tried all other training methods and supplements without success, prescription medications can be used to reduce your cat’s severe anxiety or fear. These medications should only be used under the supervision of a veterinarian, as they can cause sedation and personality changes in some cats.
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Consult your veterinarian: If your cat is showing signs of fear or anxiety, be sure to consult your vet – first make sure there aren’t any medical issues, and your vet may recommend behavioral therapy or refer you to a certified veterinary behaviorist or trainer.
