Cats are wonderful pets and it's great to be around, but they - like people - have a wide variety of personalities. Some cats are friendly and affectionate while others may act aggressively or fearful towards new people or stressful situations. Whether your current cat is reacting with fear to a stressor or you are trying to help a new cat adapt to you, you can take several steps to show the cat that you are not danger.
1- Recognize signs of a fearful cat.
Cats are quite good at communicating when they're upset, as seen by hissing, snarling, flattening of their ears, and the fur on end being hard to miss. However, general aggression is just one of the many behaviors associated with fearful cats. Other behaviors to look for include:
-Hiding or running down
-Freezing in place
-Releasing anal glands, urine, or stool
-Not using the litter box
2 Isolate the cat’s fear triggers.
Your cat may have a harmonious set of stimuli - sounds, people, etc. - that cause the fearful response. In many cases, you may be able to help the cat cope by decreasing the cat's exposure to the trigger of fear or aggression. Common examples include:
-Loud sounds or quick, unexpected movements
-Strange or new environments
-Unfamiliar people or creatures
-Active, unpredictable children
-Stressful events ( moving and passages to the vet, especially)
3 Give your cat space.
Note that although the sound may make her hide for a few minutes, something like moving to a new home may make her scarce for several days. Make sure she has access to food, water, and her litter box to use near.
Trying to force your cat out of a caching spot before she’s ready will only stress her out more and amplify the fearful response. Do n’t take it tête-à -tête as though she’s hysterical of you.
When you are trying to help an aggressive or fearful cat after a move, you may want to show her the new home one room at a time. Start with a calm isolated room where you can put her carrier, toys, food/ water, and little box (on the other side of the room from the food/ water).
4 Use food to motivate your cat.
Cats respond to many effects as well as food. If your cat reacts negatively to a new friend or roommate with whom you want your cat to form a bond,, put that person on food and treat duty. Start by having the person fill the cat's food dish and then simply sit on the other side of the room without making eye contact or paying attention to the cat in any other way.
Make the person give her treats as well. Set the treat out where your cat can see it and also move away to a similar distance, moving closer over time. Your cat will begin to associate this person with good effects rather of treating the person as a fear detector.
Remember to let your cat choose her own pace. Soliciting her out isn't the same as forcing her. Eventually, she needs to choose to come toward the person.
5 Give a high perch.
Cats love to be over above the action where they can look down and check in safety.If the fearful response is due to a hyperactive child or a new animal in the house, a cat tower where your cat can retreat is a great option.
Even ifn the cat tower can help calm your cat. Your cat is much more likely to respond fearfully to a situation if she feels cornered.However, also she’s less likely to respond aggressively when she can just run down to her safe spot, If she always knows that she has her safe spot to escape to.