Scaredy Cats
Like humans, animals can have difficulty adjusting to new surroundings, new people, and new homes. But comforting a frightened or nervous friend can be very difficult when you don't share a common language! It can be distressing and frustrating to bring home a new cat, only to find that they spend all their time hiding under the bed. But with time, the right approach, and a lot of patience, your scared new friend will learn he or she is in a safe and loving environment.
It is important to realize that cats need time to adjust to new surroundings, so most cats will be timid at first in a new environment, despite whether or not they are easily frightened. They may be quiet and careful around people, but after a few days or weeks you will begin to see more of your cat. However, if kitty hides unseen whenever people are around, and goes running for the hills when the TV makes a loud noise, he or she is nervous and needs some special attention to make him or her feel at ease.
Why Kitty Is Nervous
Your cat could be nervous and/or fearful for several reasons. Some cats, just like some people, are naturally more nervous than others. Your cat may also have had a traumatic experience in the past that makes him or her distrustful or frightened of others. His or her natural survival instincts are kicking in and telling your cat to "stay away!" Also like people, perhaps the cat was not properly socialized when it was a kitten. Kittens are relatively unbothered by most things before eight weeks old, so it is important to get them used to people, households, and other cats and animals while they can easily adjust. If they are not introduced to people when they are very young, they are likely to be very afraid when they do finally come into contact with a human. So, in helping your cat adjust, it can be very beneficial to know your cat's background as it may help you understand why kitty is frightened. But if you have no idea what kind of life your cat lived before, don't worry—you can still help!
Preparing For A New Nervous Friend
If you know in advance that you are adopting a nervous or easily frightened cat, it's best to prepare your house in ad vance to help make the transition a little easier. If you have time, try to set aside one room for your cat to ''hide" in. Creating a safe haven for your cat may help him or her to feel slightly more at ease than simply letting the cat out into a large, new, unfamiliar (and terrifying) territory. Choose a small room with a door that closes and a large chair or piece of furniture your cat can hide under. Pick a room that you will be comfortable not using for a few weeks to give your cat privacy and not encroach on his or her territory. You may want to cover furniture or exposed fabrics, because stressed out cats will not be quite so diligent about using their litter box. Place some blankets or a cat bed in the room to make it a little more comfortable for your cat. Finally, place food, water, and litter in the farthest corner of the room away from the door, and try to arrange for an empty house when you bring your new friend home, so kitty isn't even more frightened by several very frightening people (or pets!)
You can also use a large crate for the same purpose if you don't have an extra room. Place the crate in the corner of a room, and cover all sides but the front of the crate so the cat feels protect ed (but can still see out). This will be beneficial for your cat to see the workings of the house and notice what is going on around him or her from a spot where kitty feels safe.
Getting Comfortable
If you have been startled by the discovery that you have a very spooked cat, it may be more difficult to help him or her get comfort able, as you have not had the luxury of creating a space just for your cat to gradually adjust to your presence. It is probably best to allow kitty to use whatever room he or she ends up hiding in as the "safe space," and to treat it as such. Set up the necessary items for a safe haven as you would in a small, private room, and try to limit your exposure to your cat to specific times a day. Try to keep the door closed.
In order to gradually help your cat feel more comfortable, make small steps. Make sure the same person enters the room everyday! Your cat needs to feel comfortable with one specific person can trust before introducing new friends! Your cat needs to connect with one specific person he or she can trust. Enter the room and talk to your cat, but don't go looking for him or her! Add some food, top off the water, and clean the litter. (Note: If your cat isn't eating or using the litter box, call your vet. He or she might have medical issues in addition to fright! And, as always, get your cat a checkup either before or soon after bringing him or her home for the first time.) Repeat this routine at the same times everyday, and slowly, your cat will become a little more comfortable.
Eventually, kitty might poke his or her head out to watch you when you visit. But remember, patience is the key! Don't pet your cat until he or she is comfortable enough to eat in front of you. When your cat comes out to eat while you are in the room, gently scratch him or her behind the ears. That is quite a milestone! You have gained your cat' s trust. But remember, this may take weeks depending upon how skittish your friend is. Don't rush the process! It will only make your cat less trusting and more afraid.
Ready to Explore
When you begin to notice that the cat has come out of the hiding space and wanders freely around the room he or she is confined to, your cat may be ready to be offered the rest of the house to explore. Kitty might look past you out the door when you walk in, or sit on the windowsill. At this point, leave the door open and let the cat decide how far he or she wants to wander. Make sure other family members don't approach the cat, but let the cat come to them. Encourage other members of the household to speak the cat's name so your feline friend will get used to their presence.
With the right frame of mind, you can help your cat feel loved and comfortable in an unfamiliar and scary environment. You ' ll be well on your way to being a happy family!
(Sources: The Feline Advisory Bureau (fabcats.org), The Blue Cross (bluecross.org.uk), and Felinexpress.com)