5 Common Phobias In Cats That You Should Be Aware Of

Just like us humans or other animals, cats can also have certain phobias owing to a variety of reasons. It is possible that some cats didn't interact with people or other animals much when they were kittens. The socialisation of a kitten is crucial because according to a few studies, kittens who receive frequent and routine handling during the first few weeks of life tend to become more social and exploratory as adult cats than those who do not have the same prior experience. Cats can develop fears if they don't have enough, consistent, and positive interactions with people, other animals, and newer situations. If you discover a stray cat experiencing stress or anxiety, you can search online for the term ‘animal welfare near me’ and contact a trusted animal NGO that can help you.

Listed Below Are Some Common Phobias Experienced By Stray Cats:

1. Loud Noises

All cats experience some level of ordinary fear when they hear loud, unexpected, or strange sounds, just like we humans do. But compared to ours, their hearing is much more acute and so any type of loud or sudden noise such as television sounds, noises made by a vacuum cleaner, sounds of vehicular traffic on the road, construction noise, etc. can induce stress in them. Cats tend to be easily frightened by these phenomena if they aren't habituated and desensitised to them from an early age.

2. Strong Odours

Cats tend to be sensitive to smells in general, but you might be surprised to know about some of the scents which they absolutely hate. The sense of smell in cats is phenomenal and is said to be up to fourteen times more acute than that in humans. But while some scents like those of catnip are loved by cats, they absolutely detest certain strong odours - which include the smell of things like citrus fruits, vinegar, onions, gasoline, alcoholic beverages, etc. among others. Sometimes, these odours can also trigger a lot of stress and anxiety in a feline.

3. Unfamiliar Objects

Cats may experience anxiety when they happen to be in the vicinity of unfamiliar items, such as statues, brooms, or other specific objects . This may be due to the object's oddity or a smell that it has that may disturb the cat's senses. Also, the level of this fear varies from cat to cat.

4. Wide Open Spaces

Have you ever wondered why cats are always hidden in some or the other place, such as for instance, hiding inside boxes, bushes, or other things? Based on some studies, it has been observed that cats being a predator species, they prefer privacy and hence choose to sometimes hide in this manner as they frequently experience anxiety in large open areas.

5. Water

Cats generally dislike bodily contact with water. It can cause them severe anxiety even if only a few drops land on their body. While few cats enjoy getting wet without fear, others can be extremely scared of it.

Trying to help fearful cats can be difficult because many people mistake their actions for aggression. Additionally, since cats cannot speak to us verbally, it is challenging for us to treat these conditions on our own - especially if it is a stray. In such cases, you may try getting in touch with an animal NGO near you that can give you the right assistance. It takes time to help aloof cats break their cycle of fear, so it is important to be patient and not force a timid cat into uncomfortable circumstances. The best approach is to let the cat navigate its fears and be cautious on its own.