Cats make great pets and make great companions, but these animals, like humans, have many different personalities. Some cats are sociable and friendly, while others can be aggressive or fearful of new people or stressful situations. Whether your existing cat reacts fearfully to a stressor or you're trying to help a new cat adjust to you, you can take the following steps to show that you're not a threat.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Calming a Frightened Cat
Step 1. Know the signs of a scared cat
Cats are definitely masters of communicating when these animals are angry-with hissing, growling, flattening of the auricles, and standing fur that's hard to ignore. However, attacks are generally just one of many behaviors associated with frightened cats. Other behaviors to watch for include:
- Hide or run
- Silent in place
- Removing anal glands, urine or feces
- Don't pee in the litter box
Step 2. Remove the fear trigger from the cat
Your cat may have a consistent set of triggers-such as voices, other people, etc.-that cause the fear reaction. In some cases, you may be able to help the cat adjust by sufficiently reducing the cat's exposure to the triggers of fear and aggression. Common examples include:
- Loud noises or unexpected fast movements
- Strange or new environment
- Unknown people or other animals
- Unpredictable active kids
- Stressful occasions (especially moving house and visits to the vet)
Step 3. Give your cat some space
The answer to the various stimulants that trigger the fear response in your cat is simply to give the cat some time and space to be alone. If a stressful event causes the cat to hide in a carrier (often called a carrier) or other hiding place, so be it. The animal will forget it by itself.
- Be aware that while noise can keep your cat hidden for a few minutes, an event like moving to a new house can frighten her for days. Make sure the cat can reach nearby food, water and litter boxes.
- Trying to force the cat out of its hiding place before the animal is ready will only further stress it out and exacerbate its fear response. Don't take it to heart feeling as if the animal hates you.
- When helping an aggressive or frightened cat after moving house, you may want to introduce it to the new home by showing each room individually. Start with a quiet secluded room where you can place the carrier cage, toys, water/food and litter box (the litter box should be located away from food and drink).
Step 4. Use food to motivate your cat
Cats respond to several things, one of which is food. If your cat gives a fearful reaction to a friend or new roommate that you really hope to bond with, assign the person to feed and reward the animal. Start by having the person fill the cat's food bowl and just sit on the other side of the room without making eye contact or paying attention to the cat. Get the person to move a little closer in a few repetitions.
- Let this person also give the cat a treat. Place the treat where the cat can see it and then move away the same distance as the previous step, and then move closer and closer as time goes on. Your cat will begin to associate this person with good things instead of treating him as a fear trigger.
- Don't forget to let the cat set its own tempo. Persuading him to leave is not the same as forcing him. In the end, the cat must choose to come to the person.
Step 5. Provide a high perch
Cats like to be at a height where they can look down and observe the situation safely. If the animal's fear response stems from an overactive toddler or a new animal in the house, a cat tower where the cat can hide is a good choice.
Even the option of using a cat tower can help soothe your cat. Most likely the cat responds to a situation with extreme fear if it feels cornered. If Sweet always knows he has a tower with which to escape, the cat will be less likely to respond aggressively knowing that he just needs to run to a point where it's safe for him
Method 2 of 2: Bonding with Strange Cats
Step 1. Take the cat to the vet
Make sure any new cats you want to bring home have had their injections and a vet's check-up. If you adopt a cat from an animal rescue organization, it is likely that you will receive documentation on these matters along with the cat. If you pick up a stray cat, you really should take him to the vet before bringing him into your home. Sick cats can potentially spread disease to your family members and tend to be more aggressive, which can cause injury.
Step 2. Allow the cat to adjust to one room at a time
New owners, new surroundings, and disturbances in the cat's previous habits are triggers for the cat's fear response. To try not to confuse the cat, isolate the animal in a room while the cat adjusts to its new home. Put food, drinks, toys and litter boxes in the same area, as well as the carrier cage in a place where it can hide.
Leave the door open so the cat can explore the house at its own pace, but don't try to force it out of the room
Step 3. Provide food and gifts
Bonding with food is always the best way for cats. You need to get the cat to start hooking you on delicious treats and gifts. But don't try to feed it by hand. Make noises from food packaging bags or treats so your cat knows you have something delicious for her. Then, place the plate of food on the floor and sit near it. After many repetitions, move closer to the food without looking at the cat or trying to pet it. Just let the animal adjust to your presence in the same room as it.
Step 4. Play with the cat
Playing with cats is another great way to bond. Don't try to touch the cat. Instead, buy a toy stick with feathers or catnip dangling at the end. This toy will allow you to play with the cat from a distance which is more comfortable for him.
If the animal won't come out of its carrier at first, try hanging the toy by the door and moving it around for a few minutes to see if you can persuade it to come out. If it doesn't work, repeat this step again later
Step 5. Let the cat come to you
As you begin to work on making real contact with the cat, make sure that most importantly you allow it to come to you as well. As the cat becomes more and more curious and as the animal begins to approach you and sniff at you in general, you can slowly reach out and see if the cat will come close enough to sniff you directly. Always wait for the animal to rub against you first, and don't be upset if the cat moves away when you pet it.
- To increase his curiosity, sit near the cat, avoid the eye box and talk to him in a soothing voice.
- Never chase or try to pull your cat out of its hiding place. This will only make him more stressed and cause another fear response.
Step 6. Don't try to pick up the cat
Even cats with years of bonding with their owners often still don't like being picked up. You can find out if your cat would mind being picked up at the right time, but never try it while the cat is still in the process of getting used to you and your home.
Step 7. End the training session in a positive light
Instead of forcing the cat and risking him running away, let the animal set the tempo and end each training session on a positive note by rewarding him with food. Just as you let him approach and rub his body against you, let the cat also decide when the animal will leave. Don't try to force the bonding session to last longer than your cat would like.
Step 8. Be patient
Keep in mind that your cat will adjust to his schedule, not yours. Having the patience to continue showing your cat that you are calm and safe can go a long way. Some cats may begin to warm to you within a few days, while others may take months. Cats love routine, so stay consistent about giving the animal food, treats and playtime and eventually the animal will bond with you enough to come over and sit on your lap.
Step 9. See a cat behaviorist if necessary
If your new cat continues to hiss, growl or even scratch and bite despite your best efforts to bond with him, contact a local cat behaviorist. A cat behaviorist may be able to help or determine what is wrong with your approach, as well as provide additional advice on how to proceed with the approach.
- If your cat is exhibiting aggressive behavior that you fear could harm you or other family members in the household, isolate the animal in a room until you can contact a cat behaviorist.
- If the cat does manage to bite or scratch you, immediately wash the injured area and apply an antibiotic ointment. Also, make sure you see your doctor as soon as you have symptoms of a possible infection.
Tips
- Instead of trying to get the cat to like you, try to give him more opportunities to choose to like you. Be around him as often as possible, but don't make your attempts to get to know him too obvious.
- Read his body language. Apart from the obvious hissing, you should consider backing off when the cat's whiskers start to point back and the tail starts to move to and fro.
- If you recently adopted (or bought) a cat, let it explore the house, sit on the floor and wait for the cat to come to you. When the cat approaches you, let it sniff you before you pet it.
Warning
- Never yell or punish your cat when it hisses. Hissing is just the cat's way of saying how scared the animal is and if you punish the cat for his fear, the animal will become even more frightened.
- Don't be in a hurry and expect too soon to expect too much. You have to give the cat time. One thing any cat trainer will tell you is this: if a cat won't do something, nothing will ever change its mind.
- Remember that cats are very different from dogs. While you have to show authority over a dog, trying to prove to a cat that you're the leader won't work.
