I’ve learned a lot about different cat personalities in my new part-time job. I’ve met playful cats, shy cats, serious cats, stressed cats, and everything in between. I’ve also run into my share of fearful cats.
My favorite so far has been the little grey cat who hid underneath her bed for four days straight. Eventually, we coaxed her out from under the covers for some petting. After that, she seemed to be over her fear and ready for some human company. It took at least two days before she would even peek out from underneath the blanket to look at me. On the third day, she gave me some cautions sniffs when I stuck my hand close to the bed. On the fourth day, she finally came out for some attention. I have to say — I felt pretty proud at that point… like I was the Cat Whisperer or something!
The most important thing to remember when dealing with a fearful cat (or any stressed cat, really) is patience! You can’t realistically expect to change a behavior in an instant. Or even in a day. Allow your cat to overcome her fear at her own pace. This is a process known as habituation.
First, you need to identify the source of the fear. Once you know what the cat is afraid of — a certain person, a certain noise, or anything — you can begin the desensitization process. Let the cat gradually learn to associate good things (rather than bad things) with the source of the fear.
For example, let’s say you have a cat who is afraid of visitors. She’s fine around the family but hides whenever a stranger is in the house — no matter how many times the person comes to visit. Here are some things you could do to help desensitize or habituate your cat to visitors.
- Visit with your guests in the room where your cat is hiding. This gives your cat a chance to hear and get used to the unfamiliar voices and smells. Don’t chase the cat or try to coax her out, just let her be.
- After a few visits like this, let your guest toss a tasty treat towards where your cat is hiding. (This works especially well if your cat hasn’t been fed in a while and/or if the food bowl isn’t available for a few hours before the visit.)
- Let your cat emerge at her own pace, but reward her every step of the way. If she comes out of hiding to get a treat, reward her with another.
Eventually — and it may take months — your fearful cat will learn that visitors aren’t so bad. They are a source of treats (a very good thing)!
Don’t force your cat to face its fears. Carrying your cat towards a thing she is afraid of will only be upsetting and make her feel trapped — you would only be making things worse. Take your time, be patient, and find a way to make your cat WANT to encounter the source of fear.