Why are cats shy or fearful? Shy or fearful behavior is most often caused by negative associations made in early life. If a cat doesn't interact with people often or experiences abuse or trauma, later, he or she may be afraid to trust human caretakers and become a skittish kitty.
You can apologize to your cat by spending time with it. This could be as simple as reading a book or listening to music next to your cat, or giving him a nice, long petting session. It could also mean that you have to set aside some time to play with your cat. Praise and compliment your cat.
“Cats don't forgive, and once they realize a person is causing them anxiety or hurt, they keep away.” So says John Bradshaw, an anthrozoologist at Bristol University and author of “Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet.”
Overhead movements or certain noises may frighten an abused cat, triggering a long-term memory of prior trauma. It's possible your cat will carry that unpleasant memory for the rest of his life. On a more positive note, cats are able to remember their cat parents, even when they've gone away for a time and return.
Cats don't hold grudges as such, usually, they are just trying to protect themselves. They may avoid you for a little while if you accidentally hurt or scared them, just until they work out you are no longer a threat again.
The good news is, despite their reputations for being antisocial, cats love bonding and they do forgive and forget. So, if you're at a loss as to how you're going to rebuild trust and affection with your cat, don't fret.
The first step in earning your cat's trust back is to not corner her or insist she interact with you. Encourage your cat to come to you by using the method of formally greeting cats while you are sitting or crouching a few feet or across the room from her.
Over time, they'll likely start getting along again. Just remember, this process can sometimes take weeks, and that's okay. Give your cats the time and space they need. If you're wondering if your cats will ever get along again, the answer is they likely will.
Depending on their upbringing, it may take days, weeks, or months for a newly-befriended cat to trust you. Bonding with cats can occur naturally through feeding and daily interactions, but some cats need a little extra attention and time to feel safe. And keep an open mind about how cats might show trust.
Hissing, growling, biting, slashing, or digging their nails into your skin are fairly clear indications that a cat is not happy with you. Of course, some cats do play a little rough, and most cats will give a love bite now and then, but if your cat bites you hard enough to break the skin, that is one pissed-off cat.
Some cats become intimidated by the actions or demeanor of certain individuals. The energy level of a guest can have surprising effects on a cat's environment. If a guest is loud and boisterous, your cat might feel threatened by their presence.
Of course, your cat may understand that the change in your volume means something is different, but yelling may scare your cat or call too much attention to negative behaviours. Yelling may cause your cat to feel stressed and anxious, which can cause additional misbehaviour.
Cats who present their bottoms to you with their tails straight up, who roll around, or who lay on their backs, (all positions of a more vulnerable type), are demonstrating that they are happy, comfortable, and feel safe being around you.
Enjoy Play Time Together. Games and activities are another way to build a strong bond. Cats need to expend their natural energy for instinctual hunting, so provide toys and games that let them act out on their impulses.
There's a chance your cat could have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if they have experienced one or more traumatic instances throughout their lives. Cats with PTSD can exhibit unusual changes in behavior as well as significant distress related to their disorder.
Famously independent, sometimes falsely assumed to be immune to feelings, cats are in truth super-sensitive to emotions, sound, and stress. Perhaps because felines lack the eager-to-please openness of their canine colleagues, humans overlook the big and small ways they can break a cat's spirit.