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.
While fear is a common emotion in most animals, it may be that we're particularly aware of it in our cats because their super-sensitive senses of hearing, sight and smell help them react so quickly to being startled – and flee at the first sign of a potential threat!
Other Cats and Dogs: Dogs top the list for giving cats goosebumps! Cats can get frightened when they notice unknown dogs or cats wandering into their territory. High stress levels can even lead to cats attacking one another. So provide them a secure environment where they can live and roam fearlessly.
“Cats can be afraid of almost anything that is unfamiliar or has threatening qualities — it's important to remember that although cats are predators, they are 'mesopredators,' meaning they are not at the top of the food chain,” says Dr. Mikel Delgado, Ph. D., and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant at Feline Minds.
Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well.
Scaring them may yield a “funny” response, but it can cause long term damage to their psyche. It can also be a detriment to you if your cat can't trust you anymore. It's generally a good idea to observe the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Texture: Sticky paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic or a plastic carpet runner (knubby side up) can be placed in areas you want to be off limits. Cats hate walking on these surfaces.
This is because cats sense those emotions and react accordingly. Studies have proven that cats smell fear. When we're stressed out we release cortisol and our kitties can smell it from a mile away. When someone comes over to our house who has a fear of cats, our kitties sense that immediately.
As well as being a method of communication, staring is also a sign of a close bond between you and your cat, as they are unlikely to hold eye contact with someone they don't like or trust.
"Cats are genetically hard-wired through instinct to avoid snakes," Con Slobodchikoff, animal behaviorist and author of "Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals," said. "Cucumbers look enough like a snake to have the cat's instinctive fear of snakes kick in."
Young kittens, like most newborn animals, are usually virtually fearless, but as they mature, they can gradually become less trusting of new situations and things. And a little fear is normal — a healthy dose of it could literally save their lives.
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.
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.
This means that washing machines, shouting, music and phones – not to mention fireworks and family parties – are all things cats hate. Being respectful of a cat's sensitive ears may help minimize the problem, but cats are also very good at escaping the loud noise and finding somewhere quiet.
The whiskers are the most sensitive of all and play a vital part in his survival. The special hairs, called the vibrissae, are set deep within the skin and provide the cat with sensory information about the slightest air movement around it – a valuable tool for a nocturnal hunter.
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.
But for most cats, the RSPCA has advised cat owners against walking their pets on a lead in case it causes them distress. A sense of control is very important to cats, and being walked on a collar or harness prevents them having control.
Some of the most toxic food for cats include onions & garlic, raw eggs & meat, chocolate, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients.
"Cats should never be directly punished, verbally or physically. Where some owners will clap their hands, stomp their feet, or jingle coins in a can to teach a dog that their behavior is unacceptable, this method will backfire with a cat," said Hauser.
A new study finds that your pup can tell — er, smell — when you've been doom-scrolling. A 2015 study found that cats use visual and auditory cues to help determine their human's emotional state.
Cats typically don't like being petted on their tummy, legs/feet, or tail. Of course, there are always outliers—some cats will love every bit of affection, no matter where they're touched or who's doing it. But generally, you shouldn't pet a cat you don't know on their stomach or extremities.