Cat Fear

Cats instinctively have natural reactions to loud or unexpected noises, but some cats have an excessive fear of noise which leads to skittish behavior. In most cases fear of noises are caused by deep seeded insecurities and a lack of trust. If your cat has a fear of noises, there are steps that you can take to foster a trusting relationship with your cat and methods that will help your cat to feel more secure in its environment. It takes time, but eventually your cat will be able to overcome these fears.

Causes for a Cat to Fear Noises

Cats have lightening quick reflexes, and their senses are extremely developed. As a result, cats can be sensitive to loud or unexpected noises. Reactions to noises are perfectly natural in cats, but some cats have an excessive fear of noises. These cats may have troubles adjusting to their surroundings, and their quality of life may be affected. If you have a cat that seems to have a greater than normal fear of noise, here are a few factors that may be causing this type of behavior.
Cats that have had abusive backgrounds often display fear of noises. These cats can be exceedingly skittish, and they may have trouble interacting with other pets and people. Abused cats should be given time to learn how to trust, and they should be in a quiet and calm environment.
Cats that have just recently experienced a change of home, or that have been moved frequently in life, may also develop a fear of noises. This type of reaction reflects the cat's insecurities in its current surroundings. As the cat gets used to the new environment, its fear of noises will slowly fade away.
If a cat is in an environment where it feels threatened or insecure, a fear of noises may develop. Cats instinctively need a safe spot that they can go when they need to relax or feel secure; in nature cats pick out little spots where they feel safe, and it is important that they have a safe area in their home as well. To help your cat feel more secure in its environment, make sure that the cat has a place to go where it can feel safe. When a cat does find a safe place in your home, be sure that the cat can rest in this area peacefully without being disturbed.

Training Tips: Your Cat Needs to Feel Secure

To help a cat feel more secure in the home, you will need to provide your cat with a safe hideaway where it will not be disturbed. In many cases a cat picks this spot out, but members of the household may continually disturb the cat in this area and the cat not longer feels secure. If your cat has chosen a spot where it likes to hide, talk to other members of the household about leaving the cat alone when it is in this area. If the cat is having troubles finding a safe place, try to provide one with a box, a hideaway kitty condo, or a kennel with an open door and a blanket draped over it.
Forming a trusting relationship with a skittish cat will take time and patience, but with perseverance you will eventually be able to form a lasting bond with your cat. Try to give the cat plenty of opportunities to be near you; when the cat approaches you talk quietly to the cat, and try not to make any sudden movements.
Busy households, especially households with children, can be especially frightening to cats that are not used to that type of environment. If a new cat becomes skittish in the household, let the cat stay in a quiet room for awhile until it begins to get used to its surroundings. Keeping a radio on a low level in the room can help the cat to become accustomed to noises.