Fear in Cats

Why is my cat afraid of people or other animals?

Cats may become fearful for many reasons. A cat’s genetics, the behavior and health of their mother, and their experiences from birth onward all affect their behavior and level of fear. Your cat may have had limited exposure to people and other animals when they were young.

Some cats are naturally more cautious than others. Genetics, and particularly the father’s genetics, partly determine a kitten’s future personality.  You can also get some early indications of your cat’s personality during your first meeting. A cat that is timid or that startles easily is likely to remain cautious, whereas an outgoing, curious cat is more likely to remain confident. 

Early positive exposure to people and other animals, known as socialization, is important for healthy behavioral development. Research indicates that cats that are handled frequently and regularly during the first few weeks of life are generally more exploratory and social.

Cats gain the most benefit from positive social experiences when they are between two and nine weeks of age. This sensitive period for socialization ends earlier in kittens than in puppies, so a kitten’s early environment and social interactions are very important. Cats can develop fear-based behaviors when they do not have plenty of opportunities for positive interactions with people, other animals, and new situations.

Cats can also become fearful if they are exposed to frightening or unpleasant experiences. Even a single unpleasant experience that was intense or traumatic can produce lasting fear of that situation. This effect is known as “one-trial learning.” For example, if a child suddenly chases a cat that is resting quietly, the cat might become afraid of all children. In some cases, one traumatic event can cause fear or anxiety in many unrelated situations.

What are the signs of fear?

When frightened, most cats try to escape or hide. If they cannot escape, they may instead freeze, often crouching and pinning their ears back as if trying to appear smaller. Other signs of fear include a puffed-up tail (piloerection), hissing, arching the back, and even swatting or biting, particularly if there is no chance to retreat.

Can I prevent fears from developing in my cat?

Early, frequent, and pleasant encounters with a variety of people can help prevent later fears. Socialization is most helpful when kittens are less than nine weeks old, so do not delay.

Introduce people and other animals gradually

As soon as your new kitten has adjusted to your home, begin to introduce them to people by inviting guests to visit. Do not allow people to pursue or reach for your kitten—they should wait for your kitten to approach them. Have visitors offer toys and treats to build a positive association with social interactions.

Similarly, if you have friends with quiet, cat-friendly dogs or cats, you may invite them to visit. Use a gate or other suitable barrier, or keep the dog on a leash, and let the animals approach each other at their own pace.

Introduce new places and sounds

It can also be helpful to arrange visits to your friends’ homes and let your cat play and enjoy snacks from people. Do not allow other animals or people to approach your cat when they are confined.

You can also bring your kitten to new environments, such as a quiet park, while they remain in a carrier. This can help familiarize them with car travel and expose them to many sights and scents.

Another way to expose your new kitten to a wide range of sounds is to play recordings. Examples include recordings of traffic and thunder, kids playing, and dogs barking. Initially, keep the volume very low and watch your cat to be sure they are curious or neutral but not frightened. Keep the sound source at a distance that your cat finds comfortable. Provide treats and games while the noise plays quietly in the background to help build a positive association.

Include pleasant veterinary visits

Some cats develop fears related to veterinary visits, so include some happy visits to your veterinarian’s office to help your cat become familiar with their veterinary care team. Your cat can play with team members, get snacks from them, and perhaps have a practice examination, if a team member has time.

Watch your cat’s response

During any new experience, watch your kitten closely for signs of fear. If they will not play with you or take a treat, or if they are hissing, cowering, or huddled tightly into a ball, they may be frightened and need a break. 

It is particularly important to watch for signs of fear in an older kitten or adult cat. You may need to proceed much more slowly, as older cats may take longer to adjust to new experiences. Give your cat plenty of time to adjust to each situation. You may need multiple sessions with a quiet visitor before your cat is ready to approach them.

Can my cat’s fear be treated?

In most cases, fearful cats should have both a physical examination and a behavioral consultation, particularly if the onset of fear has been sudden. An underlying health condition can affect a cat’s level of fear. A veterinary behaviorist can assess your cat’s fear response and design an appropriate treatment program. Treatment will always include behavioral and environmental changes. Sometimes, medication is also recommended.

The first step in treatment is to identify triggers, when possible. Are there people, animals, noises, or situations that frighten your cat? Try to rate the intensity of your cat’s reaction to the different triggers from low to high. 

For behavior modification to be successful, it is important to limit exposure to fear triggers outside planned training sessions. Sometimes that means providing your cat with a quiet room where they can feel safe. For instance, if guests trigger fear, it is best to set up a cozy hideaway.

How can I help my cat become more comfortable around a fear trigger?

The next step is to begin behavior modification. The specifics of your cat’s treatment plan depend on their triggers and level of fear. For most fear-related behaviors, desensitization and counterconditioning are used together as the treatment of choice. Desensitization involves exposing your cat to a trigger at an intensity low enough that they remain relaxed. Counterconditioning pairs that exposure with something your cat enjoys, such as treats or play, to build a positive association.

Establish a comfortable place

The first step is to establish a cozy, safe place where your cat can relax. For example, a soft fleece bed or mat can serve as the relaxation location. Initially, establish the mat as a positive place by feeding your cat very tasty treats while they are on it.  If your cat enjoys being handled, brush or pet them as they relax. A feline pheromone spray may also help. Use it on the bedding according to the product’s label instructions before allowing your cat access to the bedding.

If your cat prefers not to interact with you during sessions, you may try using a large crate instead of the mat.  Provide a cozy bed, treats, and toys so that the crate becomes a pleasant place to investigate. Your cat should enter and rest there readily. Then, try closing the crate door and giving especially tasty treats or even a meal. Proceed only if your cat remains comfortable with the door closed.

The crate can become a pleasant haven. Once your cat enjoys the crate, it may be used during desensitization sessions. Crates may be helpful when cats are fearful of other household pets. It is important that you keep the fear triggers far from the crate so your cat does not feel threatened.

Use play if your cat prefers it

A variation of this process is useful for playful cats: use a favorite toy instead of the relaxation mat. While your cat is happily playing, present the fear trigger at a very low intensity—low enough that your cat can still play without being afraid.

Progress gradually

In all cases, start with several short sessions—10 to 15 minutes at first. It is important to end the session while your cat is still calm. If there is a sign of fear, end the session and begin the next session with a less intense trigger. After two to three successful sessions, try increasing the intensity of the trigger very slightly. That might mean making a sound louder or slightly reducing the distance between your cat and a visitor.

What should I do if my cat encounters a fear trigger outside a training session?

Limit exposure to fear triggers outside controlled sessions. An unexpected exposure may cause a strong fear response, which could set back the progress made during desensitization and counterconditioning sessions. If this happens, try to lure your cat to a quiet, safe place and give them time to relax. Do not force interaction or pressure your cat to take treats. Let your cat choose when to approach you.

Are there any other treatment options?

Environmental changes and medication can also support your cat’s treatment. The following changes can help make your cat’s environment more comfortable:

• Enrichment. An effective enrichment program can reduce a cat’s overall level of stress. Provide your cat with plenty of interactive playtime, create opportunities to search and explore, and rotate toys to keep them exciting. 
• Resting places. Be sure your fearful cat has access to many resting places at different levels. 
• Pheromones. A pheromone diffuser, such as Feliway®, may be placed in their safe resting space. 
• Safe routes. Provide your cat with safe routes for moving through the home without encountering a trigger.

Cats experiencing very high levels of fear may not respond adequately to behavior modification alone. Your veterinarian may recommend medication to reduce fear and anxiety. Some medications are given every day, while others are used just when a scary event is expected.