Be very patient and don't force your cat to do anything. For example, they would first practice looking at pictures of cats, then watching videos and movies with cats, touching cat-like material, playing with a toy cat, and finally holding the real thing. Cats also seem to enjoy being gently stroked down their backs with slight pressure being applied when you get to the tailbone. However, it is also statistically known that a quarter of the world’s population suffers from cat phobia, namely ailurfobia. That’s why sudden fear or anxiety is called the ‘fight or flight’ reflex, because that’s exactly what our bodies want us to do. This way you can avoid the occasional video that shows an unfriendly cat which could worsen the phobia. She helped me overcome my fear of dogs with her dog, so I'm gonna help her with my cat. You could also consider starting with making contacts with kittens and moving up to adult cats. The first night we got them, one of the cats attacked me. They’re effective tools to reduce your fear. Being afraid of cats is common and nothing to be ashamed of, but with a little exposure to them, you can help yourself overcome your fear. Now I am very afraid to be around him. From there, you may be able to treat the phobia by treating what has caused the fear; combining this approach with progressive exposure to cats and information about cats can help alleviate the fear. Pretend that the cat does not exist. The cat should belong to a trusted friend or organization who knows the cat well and can attest that he is healthy and friendly. However, if you think it’s impossible for you to move forward, then it might be best to consult a therapist. Remember, you do not have to touch the animal at this point. A Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Have you ever been afraid of our furry felines? Consider therapy. Phobias are no laughing matter. How can I stop my cat from scratching me when I pet it? Although it is likely that you’ll experience some discomfort, if you feel overwhelmed, discontinue what you are doing. You don't have to limit your picture search to the internet. Use the tips in the article, and remember that black cats are just the same as any other cat. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Overcoming the fear of cats phobia Prolonged exposure to cats gradually is important to overcome Gatophobia. Limited Time - Use Pretty15 to Save 15% on your first month. Thanks. And some people are unfortunate enough to suffer from a fear of cats or - slightly more unusual - a fear of cats watching them. Let’s answer the question, What are cats scared of? With repeated interaction, you’ll begin to realize that the worst case scenario probably isn’t going to really happen. Make sure to select a friend who has a friendly cat. Try keeping your door closed and not letting it slip past you. Nearly a quarter of the US population reports an extreme fear of a specific animal. When you figure that out, it’s much easier to change negative thoughts and beliefs. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Being able to read a cat’s body language is important to determine his current mood. Tasha Rube is a Licensed Social Worker based in Kansas City, Kansas. Learn more about how and why we started our company. You can even begin by using statements that are less negative then your original thought. fear. Overcome fear of cats. This way you can lessen the anxiety without reinforcing the fear. With repeated interaction, you’ll begin to realize that the worst case scenario probably isn’t going to really happen. What can I do? Try PrettyLitter today and save 15% on your entire order with promo code "PrettyBlog"! Remember, your goal should be to get to a one or two on the scale. When you’re just starting to make physical contact with cats, try to avoid contact with cats in between the controlled interactions at your friend’s home. So, if you have a phobia of cats, you are not alone. For example, a child who has been scratched once can hold onto that anxiety, and therefore develop a phobia or fear. Fortunately, methods of overcoming the fear of cats , overcoming them and having a friendly relationship with cats are also available. 6 Things Cats Are Scared Of and How to Help Them Overcome Those Fears. Start playing with quiet cats, caressing them. Most cats respond to some degree to a combination of behavior modification and treatment with cat anxiety medicine or supplements. For example, you could replace the thought “This cat is going to scratch me” with a statement like “Many people interact with cats every day and do not get scratched.”. Avoid petting cats on their belly. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri in 2014. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. The base of the ears and cheeks behind the whiskers also seem to be pleasure zones for most cats. How to Overcome Your Fear of Cats Watching You You For Animal. This will only reinforce the scared behavior. J J Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. Tasha Rube is a Licensed Social Worker based in Kansas City, Kansas. Never forget: you are the stronger side! Try to do this whenever a negative thought pops up. – Realize that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your friend will probably already know whether his pet is a good fit for this activity or not. Going to a pet store when you don’t have access to cats otherwise is a good alternative. Download cat pictures and Find cute cat Stock Images in HD images royalty-free stock photos, Meme, Cartoon illustrations, and … Determine in advance how long you will look at the picture each day. Hypnotherapy and exposure therapy may be options, and with help, most people are able to overcome their fear of cats. Getting over fears and phobias takes time, so don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t happen as quickly as you think it should. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Watching videos is a great way to prepare you for the transition from looking at pictures of cats to making actual physical contact. Fear is a natural biological response. "When I found this article on wikiHow, I didn't expect much of it, but I was wrong. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This can help quicken the desensitization process. The goal is to eventually desensitize yourself from cats altogether. In the following, we will look at some possible reasons for the emergence of such a condition. When physically threatened, fear opens our eyes wider, pumps more blood through our bodies and gives us a shot of adrenaline to help us either fight a foe, or run away as fast as we can. See what's different about our line of health food products. If your cat anxiety is overwhelmingly severe, you may want to consider discussing the phobia with your doctor. It might start with looking at pictures of cats, or viewing cats from a distance. It is a fact that many people have to live with such pathological fear. I have had a toothache/facepain for over two weeks, I know I need to go and see a dentist but I have a great fear of going because of cetain circumstances that happened while going to the dentist as a child. 5  With small steps, a person can become accustomed to cats. The idea is to be near the animal so that you can get used to being close to the cat outside of the carrier. Do Things That Scare You. Begin to factor into your life, little by little, the things that would usually … Create a schedule and stick to it. my brother just got a new cat and while he seems confident me and the cat both are scared of each other.kitty doesnt come to me and i get scared to pick it up i can stroke it but coming close scares me can any one help me to make a bond with kitty and overcome my fear ? Helping cats overcome their fears: diagnosis and treatment The first thing you should do is to rule out health conditions that may be causing your cat’s behavior. I'M not scared of cats, my friend is. Exposure therapy. When you reach one or two on the scale then you can move to making physical contact. For example, you may think “My friend’s cat scratched me two years ago therefore all cats are vicious.”. Have you ever been afraid of our furry felines? You can also find similar pictures in magazines and pamphlets. This might be especially good if your friends who care for cats are out of town. By using our site, you agree to our. For example, you may think “This cat is going to scratch me” even though you’ve never had any interaction with that cat before. What should I do if I had a cat that was mean and it ruined my relationship with all other cats? If your veterinarian diagnoses your pet with simple fear, anxiety, or phobia, then prescription medication may be the answer. People can overcome a fear of cats by slowly exposing themselves to the creatures. make sense, and I convinced my sister, who is afraid of cats, to let me try it. The fear of cats is also attributed to high levels of anxiety. If it does slip past, and you are very uncomfortable with cats, then you may want to call a friend or family member to remove it. Overgeneralizing is when a person takes one specific event and generalizes it to all events. Try looking at videos of cute cats and people interacting with them online to remind yourself that most cats are harmless. A trained therapist can support with exposure therapy. However it's probably a good idea to ask him if the cat is friendly before starting the visits. Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. Therefore, it will take you some time to retrain your brain to think and respond differently to cats. When this happens, the fear loses its power. Cat Anxiety Medicine. Are you afraid the cat will scratch you, attack you, bite you, or engage in some other activity that will cause you harm? For more tips from our co-author, including how to reframe negative thoughts about cats, read on. When you gradually expose yourself to what you are afraid of, the body adjusts and eventually stops releasing stress hormones. If your cat anxiety is severe, you may want to start with smaller increments of time and build your way up to the ten to fifteen minutes per visit. Even more than I thought it would. FEAR OF CATS: (ailurophobia, elurophobia, felinophobia, galeophobia, gatophobia, and fear of cats) 1: fear of cats: a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of cats, despite conscious understanding by the phobic individual and reassurance by others that there is no danger.2: fear of cats: an extreme unwarranted fear and/or physical aversion to cats. Be sure to always note where you are on the anxiety scale. I am trying to help someone overcome a fear of cats. Kittens will probably feel less threatening. This way the fear of the unknown is less likely to stop you from proceeding. Sometimes an anti-anxiety medication may help. Just discovered us? I’ve been scratched before and it’s not so bad. Remember, the goal is to reach a one or two on the anxiety scale when looking at the collage. Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. 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