Rid Your Cat Overcome Fear

Have you ever wondered where the term "scaredy cat" comes from? While most people conjure up images of independence and attitude when they think of cats, you don't have to look far to find a cat that seems to be overly skittish about certain things.
Those cats who are a bit jumpy tend to overreact to every little disturbance, hence the origins of the term. Although it may seem amusing at times to see "scaredy cats" jump at every sound on cartoons and television shows, having a cat that is overly fearful at home can be problematic. So, what can you do if you have your very own scaredy cat?

• Understanding the Origins of the Fear

The first step toward helping your cat become a little less jittery is to gain a better understanding of what causes it to be fearful in the first place. For the most part, there are four general things that scaredy cats are afraid of. These include:
o People and other cats - these cats usually have little experience with people and other cats, which causes them to run away, hide or become overly aggressive when confronted by them.
o Noises - certain sounds, whether loud or soft, could potentially cause your cat to cower or run away.
o Situations - some cats are afraid of certain situation, such as going to the vet or traveling in a vehicle. This fear may have developed out of association, particularly if the only times your cat travels is to go to the vet and veterinary visits are always negative experiences.
o Separation - cats can become quite attached to their human masters and may become distraught whenever they are separated. This may be demonstrated by soiling the house, crying or refusal to eat.
After you have gained a better understanding of what has caused the fear to develop, you can begin taking steps to try to help your cat get over the fear.

• Moving Your Cat Beyond Fear

In most cases, desensitizing your cat to the thing it fears is the best way to help it move beyond the fear. This involves exposing your cat to the thing or situation it fears slowly. Start off at low levels and then gradually increase your cat's exposure to the object or situation. For example, if your cat is afraid of a certain noise, expose it to that sound at a low volume before gradually increasing the volume. Or, if your cat is afraid of another cat in your household, keep them separated and gradually allow the two animals to spend more time with each other and to get close to one another.
When desensitizing your cat, however, you shouldn't follow a set pattern of exposure. Rather, move forward in a random manner. For example, play the sound your cat is afraid of at a volume of four, and then back it down to 2 before taking it back up again and later increasing it to a volume of 5. This way, your cat will get a bit of a break between the higher levels of exposure.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065
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