How to help a scared cat become more confident

From thunderstorms and fireworks to visitors or a new pet joining the family, cats can sometimes feel scared or anxious. Here’s how to help a scared cat become more confident.

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While some cats are confident and outgoing, others can be a little more cautious. If your cat is showing signs of fear, anxiety or stress – especially if this is a change in their behaviour – the first thing to do is take your cat to the vets to rule out medical reasons for this behaviour. Many of the signs of fear or anxiety are also the signs of pain, and cats are masters at hiding these.

Once the vet has ruled out medical problems, the next thing to do is to identify what’s scaring them (both real and perceived threats from a cat’s perspective). It’s vital to empathise with your cat and work on alleviating their stress. Use these expert tips to help them build their confidence.

What are cats scared of?

All cats are unique, so what scares one might not bother another. Things that can commonly make a cat scared include:

• New experiences
• Other cats and dogs
• Meeting new people
• Loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms
• Having to leave their home to travel or go to the vet

How to help a scared cat grow in confidence

Once you’ve worked out what might be scaring your cat, use the tips below to help them build their confidence.

Give your cat space

Make sure your cat always has places to hide when they need a bit of time out. Some cats love to be up high, while others prefer a covered cat bed or going under furniture. Give your cat lots of options, so they’ve always got somewhere to retreat to if they’re feeling scared or anxious.

If you have a new cat that’s particularly timid or scared, set aside one or two designated rooms for them to explore. Once they’re feeling more confident, you can gradually open up the rest of the house. Before letting a new cat outside, make sure they’re vaccinated and microchipped. 

Let your cat set the pace

If your cat doesn’t like meeting new people, don’t expect them to interact with visitors. By making sure your cat always has the option to remove themselves from a specific situation, you’re allowing them to stay in control, which can help give them the confidence to explore new things.

Keep an eye on your cat’s body language too. If they’re showing signs of stress or fear, like a wrapped tail, large pupils, ears turned out to the side, or excessive vocalisations, give them the time and space they need to retreat. 

Use pheromones

Cats use scent chemicals called pheromones as a way of communicating with each other, to mark their territory and to self-soothe. Artificial pheromones are available as plug-in diffusers, sprays and wipes. These mimic the calming pheromones that help cats feel relaxed and secure.

If you’re introducing a new cat to your home, a plug-in diffuser can help both cats feel safe, while sprays and wipes can be used on bedding or when travelling to the vet. You can also rub a clean face cloth on your cat’s cheeks to collect their pheromones, then wipe this on surfaces around the home to help spread your cat’s scent.

Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement training is a great way to teach your cat new tricks, but it can also be used to help accustom them to new experiences. 

If your cat is scared of going in their cat carrier or meeting new people, positive reinforcement can help them become more calm and confident. If you want to familiarise your cat with their carrier before travelling:

• Place the open cat carrier in a quiet place in the house
• Put a blanket with your cat’s scent in the carrier, or spray the outside with cat pheromones
• Place some treats inside and around the carrier
• As your cat starts to explore, offer them verbal praise and more treats
• Once your cat is comfortable, close the door for a second
• Repeat this process until your cat is comfortable inside the carrier with the door closed
• Slowly lift the carrier and gradually extend the amount of time your cat is inside

Be patient

Don’t expect your cat’s behaviour to change overnight. Some cats will quickly become more confident, while for others the process can take a lot longer. Keep rewarding your cat for the behaviour you’re looking to encourage – for example, sitting calmly on the sofa when someone comes to visit, or getting in the cat carrier for a trip to the vet.

Spending time bonding with your cat can also help your cat feel more comfortable and confident with new experiences.

Work with a qualified behaviourist

If you’re not sure what’s scaring your cat or don’t know how to help them, it’s a good idea to work with a qualified behaviourist. They’ll be able to assess your cat and suggest a tailored approach to improving your cat’s confidence. 

If you have cat insurance with Petplan, log into your My Petplan account to speak to a qualified expert via our Pet Expert Chat and ask any behavioural questions you may have.