10 Common Cat Fears and Anxieties
By Barri J. Morrison, DVM – Jul. 2024
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What Causes Fear and Anxiety in Cats?
Fear and anxiety in cats can stem from various factors—genetics, the behavior and health of the mother cat, and the experiences they have from the time of birth until they come into your life.
Sometimes we may never know their previous life experiences, which makes it hard to understand their fear and anxiety.
Proper socialization plays a crucial role in reducing fear and anxiety in cats.
Cats who are well-socialized—meaning they have spent time around other cats, people, and dogs, starting from a young age—tend to be less fearful. This social and environmental exposure should be positive, with rewards for good behavior, such as a treat.
The critical period for socialization in young cats is between 2 and 12 weeks of age. Cats who are not properly socialized at this time may have an increased likelihood of developing fear and anxiety-related behaviors.
Problematic behavior in cats is the primary reason cats are relinquished to animal shelters, often making those unwanted behaviors worse.
Cats who are not properly socialized between 2 and 12 weeks of age may have an increased likelihood of developing fear and anxiety-related behaviors.
Fear in cats is often displayed as avoidance and hiding, but it can also be seen in aggressive behaviors such as biting, scratching, hissing, or growling.
Anxiety, on the other hand, is characterized by nervousness or worry triggered when a cat anticipates danger or a threat. Anxiety and fear often coexist in cats and can result in the same unwanted behaviors.
Long-term fear and anxiety can also lead to repetitive behaviors such as overgrooming, which may cause skin infections and self-mutilation wounds.
The Most Common Fears and Anxieties in Cats
1. Loud Noises
Loud noises that are common triggers for fear and anxiety in cats include:
- Fireworks
- Thunder
- Vacuum cleaners
- Lawn mowers
- Hair dryers
Cats have a heightened sense of hearing, possibly due to multiple folds in their ears that enhance their sensitivity to high-frequency noises. Because of this heightened sense, loud noises often trigger unwanted fear and anxious behaviors, primarily because cats may not understand what the source of the noise is.
Noise phobias can be overcome by gradually, at low volumes, introducing the sounds that produce a fearful response, then increasing both volume and exposure time.
2. Strangers
Cats are known for their heightened sense of smell, which they use to remember people, places, and things.
A new person or stranger in the home introduces unfamiliar smells and sights, which can instinctually trigger caution in cats.
Past negative experiences with people, such as abuse or neglect, can also bring about fear and anxiety in cats.
Overcoming this fear requires patience and positive reinforcement. For instance, having guests sit quietly on the floor with some cat treats can help cats understand that people can be friends rather than foes.
3. Water
Cats and water have long been perceived as enemies, but why?
Looking back into the ancestry of cats, they were often inhabitants of the desert, so water was never really something on their radar.
Cats are also impeccable self-groomers, with little time needed in the bath, thus minimizing exposure to water when they are young.
Wet fur can also be uncomfortable for most cats and add extra weight, making it more difficult for them to run from predators in the wild. This lack of water exposure contributes to many cats’ fear and anxiety around water.
4. Changes in Their Environment
Cats are creatures of habit and are known for being very resistant to change.
Any change in their environment can induce fear and anxiety in them. This includes changes such as:
- New cat litter
- A new litter box or its location
- New furniture
- Moving to a new home
- The arrival of a new baby
- Changes in feeding time or location
- Travel
- Exposure to new smells like cleansers, perfume, or fragrant candles
Such changes can become major stressors for cats, which can lead to unwanted behaviors.
5. Other Animals
Adding a new pet to the home is a common cause of anxiety and fear in cats.
Proper introduction of your new pet should be done slowly.
Cats who have lived without other cats tend to be protective of their territory and may find introductions challenging, especially if they have been an only pet for a long time.
To ease the introduction process, provide your cat with items that carry the scent of their new housemate before introducing them face-to-face.
6. Humans
Introducing new family members can be very stressful for cats. Studies have shown that adding a new person to the home induces more fear and anxiety in cats than adding another pet.
Female cats tend to exhibit more aggressive behaviors than male cats from fear and anxiety. Interestingly, the age of the new person in the home does not seem to correlate with how much stress or anxiety a cat may experience toward them.
7. Veterinary Office Visits
Fear and anxiety in cats are commonly associated with visits to the veterinarian, whether for a routine checkup or when they are sick. Studies have shown that cats who have regular yearly checkups with their vet tend to experience less fear and anxiety during vet visits.
On the other hand, cats who have not seen the vet in the past two years are more likely to exhibit aggression due to fear and anxiety.
Regular veterinary visits don’t just help monitor your cat’s health. The visits also familiarize them with the clinic environment, reducing stress during future visits.
8. Confined Spaces
Cats, like some people, can be fearful of confined spaces. While most cats enjoy having a small, cozy place to hide, being confined and unable to leave can create fear and anxiety in them.
