Does your cat show signs of fear every time you approach it?
The cat can, in fact, adopt a sometimes confusing behavior! He meows, seems to suffer from anxiety or is aggressive?
Whether this behavior has been there since he arrived home or it appears suddenly, it is advisable to better observe your pet to understand what is going on!
To enlighten you, we reveal why the cat can be afraid of you !
fear in cats
State of play
Let’s first carry out an “inventory” of fear in cats!
Unlike humans, animals rarely have baseless fear .
A real threat or risk activates a warning signal in them which provokes fear (stress) and prompts them to take action (run away, defend themselves, etc.).
Fear is thus a useful emotion because it promotes survival.
However, certain factors can disturb this animal functioning and generate fears without valid reason, without proven risk.
The cat seems to interpret a situation in a discordant way or present a disproportionate reaction to a harmless situation.
Expressions of fear
Manifestations of fear in cats are quite characteristic.
They vary according to the degree of fear and the personality of your cat.
Increasingly, let us mention:
- The dilation of the pupils
- A low posture with the tail tucked under the body
- Ears tucked back
- Neurovegetative reactions such as perspiration at the level of the pads, acceleration of the heart and respiratory rate, possible involuntary urination and the possibility of emptying of the anal glands.
- The bristly hairs
- Tremors
- Grunts or shrill cries
- A latero-ventral posture showing the teeth and showing the claws
- A risk of attack
Note that the frightened cat’s first reaction is to flee .
The cited manifestations appear only when the cat is cornered, it cannot run away.
Why is my cat afraid of me?
1. Poor socialization and/or socialization
First phase: socialization
The socialization of the kitten begins from its birth until the age of one month.
His mother is the pillar of this phase which allows him to carry out his first experiences with the environment and to carry out his first learning.
This education will allow him to understand that he is part of a different species from other animal species.
The kitten integrates the codes and language specific to its species, which allows it to know who it is (identity) and who it looks like (identification).
This first phase of socialization is only possible if his mother is sufficiently present and reassuring to give him a feeling of security.
Second phase: socialization
Socialization begins as soon as the kitten reaches the age of one month.
It is the extension of the socialization phase since it is a question of intensifying the experiences and stammering learning carried out during the first phase.
The kitten begins to take the initiative to carry out its own experiences and learn from them.
Physically, he is more mobile and can therefore more easily roam around the mother’s lap.
It is at this time that he will meet other animals and be more in contact with humans. The mother leaves him more autonomy and more freedom.
She releases her physical protection even (less clinch), it is also the time of weaning and therefore the cessation of feedings.
The kitten then “plays at being a grown-up” by copying the behavior of its mother, this is called vicariance .
Again, these experiences will be successful if the mother moves away from her kittens gradually and when they have the capacity to become independent.
If the separation is too brutal or too early, the kitten will retain a feeling of insecurity which will persist into adulthood. We then speak of an insecure cat .
Poor socialization and/or socialization will generate a feeling of insecurity and therefore a fear on a daily basis which will also manifest itself with humans.
These bad experiences are linked to a disruption of the mother/baby relationship. The causes can be external, such as a kitten separated too soon from its mother for adoption or humans too intrusive in the litter’s refuge, which leads to abandonment by the mother.
The causes can also emanate from the cat. Know that no cat is strictly speaking “a bad mother”. She may have missed early times herself with her mother and find herself dysfunctional with her young.
She may have insufficient milk flow and therefore leave out the most fragile little ones to focus on the strongest ones. It’s the survival instinct.
She may also present a psychological fragility or pain that distracts her from her kittens.
2. Lack of domestication
Some cats are not domesticated at all. They are stray cats that have no or very little contact with humans.
If you take in a kitten from their crossbreed, he will often be very fearful of you. He will not have had enough positive experiences with humans to feel safe in his presence.
The vicarious learnings made instil in him that when faced with humans, one must flee. It is, however, entirely possible to improve the situation gradually.
3. Negative human experience
Some cats have unfortunately been mistreated by humans with vile and cruel intentions.
This abuse could have been experienced as a kitten or as an adult cat.
It imprints on the cat a trauma which will, unfortunately, often mark it for life.
Whether you welcome a kitten or an adult cat, you will then have to show enormous patience to allow your companion to trust humans again.
4. Trauma
It could be a near-miss accident with a car or an assault by another cat or animal.
Again, this situation, if it is not visible on your cat’s body, will become a trauma in his head and will change his relationship to his environment.
He may develop fears when you approach him that he did not exhibit before.
If your cat is experiencing sudden stress, it’s possible that he has experienced this type of trauma.
5. Pain or illness
Pain and illness in cats are not always visible, especially in the early stages.
These are factors that will however cause your cat to need security in the face of this fragility that makes it vulnerable.
His instinct actually tells him to hide and be wary of his environment because he will not be able to defend himself in the event of an attack.
He may therefore be afraid of you by interpreting your actions as threatening (touching him, carrying him).
6. Genetic factor
Genetics sometimes explains certain animal behaviors that are not justified by any reason.
Thus, some cats carry in their genes the origin of a fearful or fearful character.
It is then a predisposition that will not necessarily develop in all the cats in the litter.
Alongside the innate, the acquired, that is to say the first experiences, also has an important weight.
Even if your cat has a genetic heritage, it is not a determinism! Your cat’s behavior can be improved by appropriate rehabilitation.
7. Phobia
Like humans, cats can present a phobia , that is to say the fear of a situation or an object that does not improve by habit.
On the contrary, if the cat is exposed to this phobic element, the phobia persists and sometimes worsens. The vacuum cleaner is often a phobic element.
The cat being very sensitive to noises, many other stimuli can trigger its fear of you, especially if you are the source of this noise.
How can I help my cat who is afraid of me?
1. Take him to a veterinary consultation
Faced with a cat that has been afraid of you since you took him in or faced with a sudden manifestation of fear, consult your veterinarian .
Before even undertaking a desensitization, it is advisable to make sure that your companion does not suffer from pain and/or from a particular illness.
The veterinarian through a careful clinical examination will be able to detect any health problem.
2. Reassure him
If your cat has experienced poor socialization / socialization, is not domesticated or has been abused, a lot of reassurance work will be necessary.
The same is true for a cat with a genetic predisposition or phobia. The deficiencies or disturbances caused by these causes in the relationship with humans are fortunately reversible.
It is truly a work of desensitization that must be put in place at home to eliminate this behavior of fear.
You can try to do it yourself by first having a patient and delicate approach to your animal. Next, the goal is to change the association that your cat has integrated.
The human/danger association must give way to the human/pleasure association.
This is achieved by eliciting and reinforcing your cat’s approach behavior through rewards . Treats are a great lever to implement this desensitization.
Note that games sometimes create more reactions.
For example, if your cat hid under a piece of furniture or in its litter box when it saw you, you can simply sit on the ground quietly not far from the piece of furniture.
There, you open this can of tuna with intrusive flavors and you always place it with gentle gestures on a small plate that your cat can observe.
And you wait while reading a book or looking elsewhere.
If it doesn’t work the first time, you can try again. Gradually your cat will approach to be able to taste this fragrant dish.
When he eats, talk to him softly with repetitive words like “it’s good” but don’t make any gestures or try to touch him.
The goal will be to be able to move from the plate to the hand then from the hand to the caress then from the caress to a more frank contact. It will take time. Arm yourself with patience and don’t get discouraged!
For the phobia, it will be a question of setting up the same diagram but in the presence of the phobic object or in the phobic situation of the house.
If, despite all your efforts, you do not see any improvement, consult a behavioral educator who can give you the appropriate advice.
3. Soothe him
The important thing when faced with a scared animal is to act both on the origin of the stress but also on the emotional reaction .
Thus, if one manages to reduce his fear physiologically, the cat will be more inclined to come into contact with humans.
It is not a question of putting your companion under anxiolytics, drugs with rather harmful side effects.
Offering him natural remedies seems much more appropriate. Among the natural solutions to help your cat include CBD or cannabidiol, extracted from the hemp plant.
Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which has psychoactive effects and is used to manufacture narcotics, CBD is harmless .
Cannabidiol does not cause any side effects or dependence in animals or humans.
It can come as a spray oil , through a spray, on your cat’s food or directly in their mouth.
It can also be offered in the form of appetizing croquettes that your cat will undoubtedly appreciate! CBD allows your cat to calm down and regain its serenity and joie de vivre.
My cat is afraid of me: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I stop my cat from being afraid of me?
Your approach should be patient and gradual. You must, moreover, always allow your companion to flee during your contacts, if he so decides.
Is my cat afraid of me?
As we have seen, according to its history, a cat can be afraid of its master. To be certain, you can observe his attitudes to your approach to assess the presence of manifestations of fear.
Why is my cat distant with me?
The cat is an independent animal, unlike the dog. He is therefore often distant with humans and even those of the household. However, if this attitude is new, it is possible that your cat is suffering from disorders or stress.
Why is my cat afraid of my hands?
Each cat has its own personality which it is vital to respect. Some like caresses, others hate contact. Cats, however, do not like sudden movements. So always know how to be gentle with your companion.
How to win the trust of a fearful cat?
Patience, benevolence and “tools” may be necessary! It can be the game to stimulate his hunting instinct or the use of treats in greedy.
What scares the cat?
Cats are hypersensitive to the environment, which is why they are very reactive to noises. A noise can therefore cause extreme fear in your companion. Other factors trigger fear such as changes that blur his bearings and alter his sense of security.
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