Kitties, just like pups, must be provided sufficient opportunities for socialization early in life. Failing which kitties may gradually develop fear and anxiety and carry them well into adulthood. They may appear too anxious, timid, or scared in new environments or when new faces or pets are around.
Even the slightest changes can trigger feelings of hopelessness, making them run to a trusted place of safety and stay there until they get over their fright. For instance, hiding under a bed/closet/sofa can signify withdrawal from a threatening situation.
Meet your vet so they can guide you on helping your kitty develop more positive behavior. Pet health insurance covers accidents, injuries, illnesses, dental issues, pet health emergencies, and more, depending on the level of cover chosen.
Cat insurance, whether the most basic or comprehensive plan, will not cover behavioral issues. Yet, pet insurance can come in handy to potentially curb your annual pet health expenses significantly. Consider buying a pet plan while we tell you how to gain a shy kitty’s trust step by step.
Step 1:
Understand why your kitty is scared. There can be many reasons for your kitty maintaining a low profile; we have a few of them figured out here. Undersocialization, inadequate training, separation anxiety, fear of strangers, loving a quiet ecosystem, wasn’t given enough attention when they were young, health conditions, etc., are some of the common reasons why a few cats stay away from the limelight.
Step 2:
Don’t change your cat’s routine at the drop of a hat. Kitties thrive when they have a predictable routine in place. When your kitty clearly knows what to expect of you and when things can be smooth sailing in the household.
Step 3:
Cut down noise and stressors that can panic your kitty cat. If you don’t wish to drive your cat into a frenzy mode, ensure no objects make loud alarming sounds indoors. Instead, reduce the volume or have your kitty in a secured, soundproofed remote area indoors so they don’t go bonkers on hearing high-pitched sounds made by your vacuum cleaner, loud music during a house party, etc.
Step 4:
Sit beside your munchkin as your furry pet may find your standing posture intimidating. Talk to them in a soft, gentle, reassuring tone, so they carefully listen to what you have to say. Offer them a treat or two and give them a head/back rub to calm them down.
Step 5:
Allow your fur ball their privacy. When they want to stay alone or hide or curl up in a corner, it’s pawfectly fine. Let them spend some quality time alone, finish some self-talks, and get back to you when they have puzzled out their issues.
Step 6:
Learn your kitty’s play preferences. For instance, choose the toys they love, take them to their favorite play spot inside the home, engage in hunting games, etc.
Step 7:
Read your kitty’s signs of aggression. Observe their gestures and vocalizations to protect yourself in case they get into a defensive mode.
Step 8:
Never force your fur ball into doing something they may not be interested in. Forcing an interaction can only annoy your furry pet, raising anxiety levels even more. Let them have their say and wait for your kitty to come to you for play or petting by itself.
Follow the above steps to potentially calm down your kitty. However, if the anxiety doesn’t dissipate over time, it may be time for a vet visit to rule out potential medical issues. Pet health insurance can make providing top-notch medical care affordable. Consider buying cat insurance as pet insurance premiums can be lower than hefty vet bills you may have to pay during unexpected pet illnesses andemergencies.
