Some cats will want to come to you for comfort when they are afraid, while others will want to hide or be left alone. It's always best to respect your cat's choice and don't force them to come to you if they're scared - this could actually make them feel more afraid. Close the curtains and try playing music or the TV.
“If you have visitors and the cat isn't being social, ignoring him is the best idea—don't force him to come say hello,” says Larocco-Skeehan. “Make sure your cat has a safe place to escape to—set up a room with food, water, a comfy spot to rest and a litter box.”
As home-loving, territorial animals, if their usual routine changes, your cat may well feel stressed and anxious. It's precisely for this reason that leaving your cat alone for an extended period of time can prove a negative experience.
When you take on a cat or kitten it may be quiet and wary for the first few days or even the first few weeks until it gets used to you and its new environment. However, some cats remain very fearful despite a gentle welcome and time to settle in.
When interacting with a fearful or shy cat, it is best to sit quietly nearby and let them investigate you on their own terms. Never startle your cat and avoid anything noisy in the house during the introduction period. Put off loud chores or events like vacuuming, moving furniture, or dinner parties until later.
Some cats may take a week; others may take months, depending on the individual personalities. Bring your fearful cat home to a secluded room set up specifically for the cat. This “home base” provides a quiet place to adjust to new surroundings.
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.
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Cats and Dogs
Trauma can also manifest as “shaking, hiding, urination and/or defecation when the trigger attempts to interact, howling, pacing, excessive vocalization, and panting,” says Pia Silvani, director of behavioral rehabilitation at the ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.
Think food puzzles to engage minds and bodies, vertical space for climbing and surveying their domain, scratching posts, safe outdoor access (like a catio), window perches and interactive play. “Play is an important part of relieving stress,” Delgado says. “It helps cats release those feel-good hormones.”
The bond between a cat and their caregiver can be very strong, and therefore cats sometimes become upset when left alone. Vocalization or excessive meowing might occur when your cat is confined to a room and cannot get to you. In more severe cases, your cat may be suffering from separation anxiety when left alone.
Short answer: yes. When their needs for companionship are not met, cats can become depressed. They can also get separation anxiety. Unfortunately, feline separation anxiety often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe.
When frightened, some cats may hide, try to appear smaller, pull their ears back and be immobile. Other cats may show signs of agitation or aggression, such as dilated pupils, arched back, pilo-erection (hair standing on end), and hissing.
Again, don't push things. Start slow, pet the cat for a minute or two the first day, and work your way up to more time. At any time, if the cat seems to be angry or scared, stop. And remember, most cats strongly dislike their paws and backsides/tails to be touched so try to stay away from those areas at first.
Cat's will feed off your stress, so the more anxious you are, the more anxious your cat is likely to be. Talk to your cat in a soothing and calm voice. Move slowly and deliberately. Sudden movements are likely to startle your scared cat further.
PTSD in cats is an anxiety disorder that can develop following exposure to a terrifying event or situation in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. This disorder can cause cats to change their behaviors drastically.
Some of the signs for shock to look for are pale or white cat gums, rapid heartbeat, faint heartbeat, rapid breathing, and below normal temperature (feels cold). Any trauma or serious injury can cause shock.
This is because cats are territorial and their primary protective measure from predators is to hide in silence. Cats that are afraid (and cats that are injured) will seek areas of concealment such as under a deck, under a house, under a porch, or in heavy brush and they will not meow!
If the stress is caused by a human or animal visitor, your kitty will come out of hiding an hour or two after the visitor departs. If the hiding behavior is caused by moving to a new home, it may take a few days or even weeks before your cat feels comfortable enough to explore their new space confidently.
Once they don't freak out, try slowly standing up while holding them, ideally while they're eating. Stand up while holding them and walk around a bit, preferably while they're eating. Approach them from a standing position and pick them up.