Does your cat hide under the sofa each time the doorbell rings?
Its hair bristles at the mere sight of another cat or a dog? Then one can
consider that your cat is cowardly.
Understanding what makes your cat scared is a way to dispel
this disorder that can quickly become overbearing.
Why is the cat afraid?
If kittens are generally not suspicious of strangers,
experience (and especially bad ones) sometimes makes the adult cat afraid.
Cats identify their "friends" by smell. And for
them, all those who have not caressed them, groomed them or those with whom
they have not slept are strangers. They are therefore suspicious in their eyes.
For example, a cat who is used to living with a woman may be
afraid of a man, because his voice is more serious or because he has a beard.
The same applies to children who move and express themselves differently from
adults.
And a cat that is scared can become aggressive when it does
not have the opportunity to escape. It will certainly be less dangerous than a
dog, but a claw strike is the least expected of things you would like your guest to experience.
Working on the fear of your cat
1- Socializing the kitten
The most effective way to not have a timid cat at home is to
socialize it when it is still a kitten. Between 2 and 7 weeks, it needs to be
exposed to various stimuli of the outside world (make him meet strangers, change
environment ...) while reassuring him.
2- Provide hiding places for your shy cat
A cowardly cat needs hiding places, so offer shelters where he,
and he alone, can go. To avoid him rushing under the sofa on the slightest
opportunity, consider offering him a cat house made specially for him in a
quiet corner.
3- More games
Play with your cat to act on his emotions. A toy like the
fishing rod for example, keeps enough distance between you will ensure him.
4- More treats for the cat
Give regular rewards to a fearful cat so that it associate a
disruptive situation with a positive event. For example, when a guest rings at
the door, give him a treat to associate guest arrival with food rather than
stress.
5- Lie Down to match up with him
To build a good friendship with a cat, you should simple try
make yourself a cat! The man is much bigger, noisy and imposing than the cat,
which is why the latter gets sometimes cautious. Do not hesitate to lie
yourself down, without a move while ignoring him and wait until he comes to
you.
6- Avoid bad encounters
When you have several felines, the encounters are sometimes
explosive. Arrange several "withdrawal posts" in your home to avoid
clashes. Two strategically placed cat trees in the room can do the job.
7- Pheromone Room
The synthetic facial cat pheromones contained in the
Feliway, once diffused in its environment, allow it to feel at home and safe. With
some cats, the effects of the Feliway are stunning. On the other hand, in the
most severe cases of anxiety, a consultation with the veterinarian will be
necessary.