![]() Always stay calm and maintain a reassuring demeanor around your pet when it is frightened.ĭesensitize your cat. If you're upset, your cat is likely to feel your anxiety. ![]() Cats are in tune to feelings that their owners are projecting. This may help soothe a cat with separation anxiety issues. Play soft music or leave the TV on when you're not home. However, it is important to remember that some cats do not enjoy being held. If your cat is open to being held or petted, provide it with reassurance if you see that it is afraid. This is especially important if you are having a party and your cat is afraid of unfamiliar people.Ĭomfort your pet. Skittish cats need a place where they can feel safe when they're overwhelmed or frightened. Provide your cat with a safe spot or haven. Other behaviors may require you to make changes in your cat's lifestyle or surroundings, including some of the following: For example, felines that are anxious after moving into a new home will usually revert to their old self once they get used to their surroundings. This change could worsen a cat's anxiety separation and cause it to engage in destructive behaviors or to have accidents outside its litter box. This is especially true if there is a dramatic change in an owner's schedule - for example, going from working at home to on-site employment. Separation anxiety: Although cats have a reputation for being loners, some can get anxious when their owners are away. A move to a different house or a new person in their lives can be upsetting to felines, which could result in behavioral issues. Bringing home a puppy could trigger PTSD in your cat and a fear response that you weren't expecting.Ĭhange in circumstances: Some cats are extremely sensitive to change. Perhaps your cat was attacked by a dog as a kitten, but you were unaware of the situation. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):Sometimes, cats will develop a fear response to something that happened to them in the past. If your cat is suddenly flinching at human contact or has become fearful, and/or has unexplained injuries, don't just blow it off as "my cat is acting strange and scared." It's possible that someone may be abusing your pet. ![]() Mistreatment: It's hard to imagine that someone might want to hurt or frighten your cat, but there are some sick individuals in this world. They may even slash you with their claws or try to bite you if you should accidentally touch an area that is causing them pain. Illness or injury: Cats that are feeling sick or are injured may hide from you or exhibit other behavioral problems. Cats with dementia (feline cognitive dysfunction) may, for example, have accidents outside their litter boxes, wander aimlessly, or appear anxious or agitated. Some of their behaviors might resemble that of a scared feline. It's hard not to wonder, "Why is my cat so jumpy all of a sudden?" The answer could be one of the following reasons:Īge-related changes: Elderly cats may experience a decline in their cognitive functioning. That's why it can be confusing when your usually calm and friendly cat's behavior changes to nervous and agitated. You're used to it acting in a certain manner. Reasons for your cat's behavioral changesĪs a pet owner, your life is intertwined with your cat. Having accidents outside their litter boxįrequent movement (pacing or running) and general restlessnessĮxcessive grooming (a self-soothing behavior) The following are some obvious and not so obvious behaviors cats may exhibit when they are anxious or afraid: Understandably, that sudden change in behavior can be upsetting to their owners. There are also times when a typically outgoing and friendly feline will suddenly turn into a "scaredy-cat". It's not surprising that these skittish cats tend to dart when someone tries to pet them or hide when a stranger enters their home. Kittens that were not handled until they were 10 weeks or older are more likely to grow up with a fear of people. This is especially true of felines that were not socialized properly when they were young. By nature, some cats are shy and skittish.
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