Do you have a domestic pet, a dog, or a cat? In most cases, they are cute and allow you to spend time nicely while taking them for a walk or playing with them at home. They are great living creatures, and people possessing them are crazy about pet names, taking care of them, as well as providing them with toys, and even pet clothes in winter.
However, you probably know that they can sometimes be quite unpredictable too. Not always are they so lovely, but they may also get you into trouble, especially if they are scared. Then, people are usually unaware of what they should do and how to behave. They frequently make some common mistakes, which additionally frighten their puppies and kittens.
Today, we’ll focus primarily on scared cats, both yours and stray, and how to approach them. Although it seems so easy, at the moment it happens to you, you usually lose your mind and suddenly do all the things you should avoid.
Stay calm
Most importantly, you should stay calm. And it isn’t so obvious. When you can see a scared cat, you are more likely to feel stressed and not to keep a level head. You are confused because you don’t know the reason why your cat is anxious. Your stress may only exacerbate the whole situation. So, try to control your body language and act naturally as if nothing wrong had happened. Remember that cats are very sensitive animals, and when they notice that you’re also nervous, they will take a defensive posture. Thus, what you must do is build mutual trust.
Speak gently
Another fundamental rule is to speak gently to your cat. You shouldn’t certainly speak loudly, shout, nor stare directly at your kittens. It may cause only their discomfort. Thus, ideally talk to them as to a little baby, muffling your voice slightly. It should make them less aggressive and calm. Except for talking to your cat, try to listen to their needs. If they hiss, it’s not equal to being frightened. It’s a commonly misleading sign. Instead, ignore this behavior and don’t react at all.
Move slowly
Your movements should also be relaxed. Therefore, don’t move quickly and don’t try to grab the cat. It’s the worst thing you can do, perceived by them as a threat. The cat always seeks a sense of safety and security. Provide it with these feelings so that it could feel like home. It’s so important, especially when you’ve just encountered a stray cat, which might have been hurt or frozen. In such a situation, you should particularly use common sense as you can’t predict the cat’s behaviour. You don’t know what kinds of diseases they may pass on through bites and scratches, either. Thus, special care should be exercised.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that although the cat isn’t a human, it has also emotions. Don’t forget about the decent treatment of all living beings.
Don’t follow the cat
One of the frequently made mistakes is following the cat. Don’t chase them even if they did something bad. Give them a place to get away from everything, like a modern cat tree. Or have shelves up high where they can rest and feel protected.
Occasionally, they may also hide from you. Let them for that, giving them some freedom, then. Cats aren’t so sociable as dogs. They may get offended from time to time. What you can do in such a situation is just wait it out and leave them alone, for instance, in an empty room. When they calm down, they will probably come to you by themselves, without an invitation, ready for an apology and mutual play. Only then can you see how happy your cat can be.
Approach the cat with a little toy or treat
Eventually, if all these methods fail, you can always try positive reinforcement in the form of a little toy or treat. Cat toys are the best way of taking cats’ anger out on them. No matter whether it’s a woolen ball, or an artificial mouse, use what works the best. A scratching post plays a similar role here. It helps cats reduce stress and be more relaxed. Instead, a treat may be associated with a reward. However, if nothing else works, you can try encouraging your kitten with a cate.
All in all, approaching a scared cat can be a daunting task. If it’s your cat, it’s easier since you know its behavior very well. You know what it likes and what it’s afraid of. This knowledge can help you to approach it carefully and nervelessly. If you get close to a stray cat, it may be much more challenging, requiring more care and persistence.
Nevertheless, in both cases, what you must remember is calmness, gentleness, slowness, and patience. Following these hints, any cat shouldn’t pose a threat to you.
