“The cat who loved to walk by himself...” Why do cats run away from home?

Lack of socialization

After acquiring the kitten, only family members were in the house for several months. It is not surprising that the appearance of guests will plunge the animal into a real shock. If everyone present tries to cuddle the animal, stroke it or pick it up, the result of such familiarity will be scratches. In this case, the owners themselves made a mistake by missing such an important point as the socialization of a small kitten. A cat knows no one except its own owners - and fear is considered a normal and adequate reaction. If you are planning a celebration with many guests, it is advisable to lock your pet in a separate room with a tray, water and food there.

Causes

There may be several reasons for this, but the most common is that the cat has not seen people other than its owner and does not understand where they come from. And therefore he thinks that they can become dangerous.

Sometimes the reason for this behavior can be the cat’s owner, who, without realizing it, harms his animal. Very often the owner strokes the cat, and when it falls asleep, he carries it to its place, while taking it by the skin; it hurts the cat, and therefore it begins to be afraid of rash human actions.

Any cat remembers unpleasant moments for a long time . Every animal wants to be treated with tenderness and affection.

But it is worth noting that there are cats that are not only afraid of people around them, they simply do not like to be surrounded by noisy companies; they are much calmer to be with their owner. The reason is the animal's temperament, and it is unlikely that anything can be done about it. After all, you often meet people who prefer to while away their evenings and days alone rather than relax in company.

But don’t be upset, maybe this affects the age of the kitten, and when the cat becomes an adult, she will fall in love with people and will come out to them herself.

Also, the reasons why cats are afraid of people include the fact that the animal has been accustomed since childhood to being surrounded only by close people, and therefore it does not know who strangers are.

Feeling insecure

A cat may be afraid of strangers due to loud noises or a lack of self-confidence. This behavioral problem can be corrected by providing your pet with a personal space. If the size of the apartment does not allow you to allocate an area, it is enough to build a rigid ladder from the floor to the closet, where the animal will feel safe. The instinctive desire of cats when there is a real threat and fear is to climb a tree. A tall complex with a scratching post, shelves on the wall - all this will help your pet feel confident.

How to fight

If the animal does not want to make contact and snorts, then you should not go against its will, as you will only make things worse. Harm the cat and you yourself will end up scratched, and the problem will never be solved.

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You can also use sedatives , but this is only on the recommendation of a veterinarian, otherwise it can become addictive.

To overcome your animal’s fear of strangers, you need to listen to the following recommendations:

Cats are afraid of water

The bottomless eyes of Puss in Boots from the well-known “Shrek” were probably copied from a cat who realized that he was in danger of having a bath.
At least for the majority of mustaches, when they see a bathtub, basin or other “domestic pond,” the pupils dilate in horror and the appearance becomes absolutely pitiful. Why are cats most afraid of water? It's all about their nature again. The cat's undercoat, which creates an air cushion, plays a huge role in the animal's thermoregulation. It helps cats, especially those living on the street and deprived of the comfort of home, to survive both cold and heat.

However, as soon as the cat gets wet, the natural protection disappears, and this threatens illness or, worse, death. This is why the vast majority of cats, which are actually excellent swimmers, try to avoid swimming by all means, and if their coat does get wet, they do their best to shake it off and lick it so that it becomes dry as quickly as possible.

In addition, the cat’s subconscious mind tells her that the smell of wet fur can scare away prey, but, on the contrary, make her herself a victim of stronger hunters. And wet fur gets dirty and tangled much faster. Clean cats don't like this very much!

How to make friends with a cat?

Domestic cats are capable of becoming attached to their owner almost as strongly as dogs, but in order to become friends with a cat, it is not enough just to feed and stroke the purr from time to time. According to animal psychologists, it is much easier to achieve love and affection from a kitten than from an adult cat, since kittens perceive anyone who cares for them as their mother. But in order to win the heart of an adult animal, in addition to the direct responsibilities of caring for the cat, the owner needs to do the following:

1. Do not do anything that the animal may perceive as aggression (do not look intently into the cat’s eyes, do not wave your arms near it, do not grab it in your arms when it is sleeping, do not throw it up or crush it during play, etc.)
2. Under no circumstances should you show aggression towards a cat or take out negative emotions on it - many felines are vindictive and can remember an insult inflicted by a person for many years
3. Behave calmly and evenly in the presence of an animal, do not raise your voice in front of or towards a cat
4. Show respect for the animal - do not disturb its sleep, do not suddenly grab it, do not drag it by the tail even as a joke, do not take away food, etc.
5. Find a way to bring joy to the animal - from time to time, in addition to the main food, give it special treats, play with the cat with its toys, allow it to sit on your lap and take it to bed with you, without squeezing or tugging the animal, take the cat out walk outside, etc.

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How does ailurophobia occur?

Ailurophobia most often occurs in three forms:

Absolutely any irritant associated with the presence of cats can provoke such reactions. Most often, ailurophobia is frightened by:

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In addition, if you ask the patient directly the reason why he is so afraid of cats, the answer you will hear is:

• The ability of an animal to scratch or bite, thereby causing irreparable injury to it;
• Infect with worms or other infections;
• Abnormal fear. The person does not know why he is afraid, but he is unable to control the phobia.

The cat doesn't let you sleep at night: what to do and how to deal with it

If a cat often does not sleep at night and meows on purpose, wakes up the owner, pushes objects, then most often this is due to lack of attention

The pet needs communication, he wants the owner to pay attention to him and make contact. The owner of the animal has a job, acquaintances, friends, recreation, hobbies, but the pet only has an apartment and the person who tamed it

Therefore, of course, the animal wants attention from those closest to it. If you don’t always have enough time to play, then you can talk to the animal after returning from work, or pet it and allow it to be nearby. It is necessary to take care of the cat, comb it, try to really contact him every day and let him know that he is not alone. You need to try to pay enough attention, then the pet will feel an emotional connection with the owner, and he will not be so lonely.

What kind of people do cats like?

The answer to the question of what kind of people cats love lies in the psychology of these animals, namely, in the peculiarities of their lifestyle and preferences. Cats love comfort and warmth, they can bask in the sun for hours and sleep up to 20 hours a day, and also spend a lot of time taking care of themselves - licking their fur and paws, “washing themselves,” etc.

Most of the time, cats behave independently, leisurely and measuredly, and only sometimes they want to run, jump, sharpen their claws and chase each other or live or toy mice. Therefore, representatives of the cat family love people whose habits resemble them. And vice versa, cats treat with distrust and wariness those people who are very different in behavior from purrs - they fuss, make a lot of sudden movements, are in constant tension, etc.

Animal psychologists, observing cats and their owners, have found that cats show love and affection for people who seem understandable to them and at the same time do not pose a danger to them. And cats determine this very degree of similarity and human safety by the following criteria:

• Voice. Cats are attracted to people with a pleasant timbre of voice, who speak calmly, slowly and with soft intonations. And since nature has endowed women with a more gentle and pleasant-to-hear voice, it is not surprising that cats often love the fair sex more than men. However, a cat may well get used to a man’s voice and fall in love with its owner if he does not scream, hiss and make other sounds that are frightening and unpleasant for the animal in her presence.
• Movements. Cats like people who move slowly and leisurely much more than fussy and impetuous individuals, since these animals can perceive sharp swings of their arms, a swift gait and any impetuous movements as a potential threat to themselves.
• Smell. Everyone knows about the ability of dogs to distinguish many odors, but few people know that cats also have a very sensitive sense of smell and, not least of all, evaluate new acquaintances by smell. As a rule, felines do not like people who smell like dogs, other cats, alcohol, vinegar, or too strong perfume.
• Attitude towards the cat. Surely many cat owners have noticed that their furry purrs show much more sympathy for those guests who are indifferent to them, but they avoid people who immediately try to pick up or stroke the animal. The explanation for this love of cats for those who do not pay special attention to them is simple: cats, being independent animals, value their personal space and really do not like annoying pesters. The animal will most likely hide from a person trying to stroke and cuddle an unfamiliar cat at the first opportunity. However, natural curiosity is also inherent in cats, so sooner or later they will want to get to know and study a person who is next to them, but who is not paying attention to them.

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From all family members, the cat will most likely choose as his owner and favorite the calmest person who feeds and cares for the animal, but at the same time does not impose his love on him - does not constantly try cuddle and stroke him, does not bother him during sleep and rest, etc. And vice versa, cats are often indifferent to children and do not like to play with babies too much, since these independent animals do not like being carried for a long time in their arms, squeezed, dragged by the tail and, even more so, dressed up like a doll.

How to calm a cat if the animal hisses and is afraid of something

Cats are, of course, different from people, but they are also capable of experiencing a variety of emotions. One of the most powerful emotions is fear, which can arise for various reasons. The owner's task is to help the pet cope with it.

What are cats afraid of?

There are a great many stories and videos on the topic “cat and vacuum cleaner”.

Cats, with rare exceptions, are afraid of loud sounds from electrical appliances: electric meat grinders, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, even electric razors.

The fact is that their hearing is extremely developed; animals have access to ranges that humans have never even dreamed of: in a cat the indicator fluctuates up to 65 kHz, while in humans it is only 20 kHz.

A cat can be scared of anything: a stranger, another animal. Cats are afraid of unpleasant odors, water, changes in surroundings, and sharp sounds.

Water is one of the main cat fears

Cats have individual phobias. There are two cats living in the house. The first one is not afraid of almost anything. Loves to swim and play with tangerines. Even sharp claps and shots are tolerated like a gun dog. But he is terribly afraid of mice. The second one is even afraid of his own shadow, but he catches rats perfectly.

How is fear expressed?

The set of external manifestations of fear is standard: the cat presses its ears and tail, meows, tries to run away from the irritant and hide.

It’s worse when fear causes an attack of aggression in the animal: the cat arches its back, hisses, and whips its tail on the sides. In a second, the fluffy ball turns into an evil monster. In these cases, the owner needs to be careful and attentive. Despite its small size, a cat can cause serious injuries with its claws and teeth.

There is no more dangerous animal than a scaredy cat

Getting rid of fears

Showing anger and aggression in cats is the first reaction to fear. The behavior of the owners should depend on how the frightened cat behaves.

Precautionary measures:

1. First of all, protect yourself if you feel that your cat’s aggression is directed at you.
2. A spray bottle of water helps as a “sedative.” When living together with a cat, this is a very effective means both for self-defense from an animal that is ready to attack, and for distracting the cat himself from fear and anger to a more pressing problem - licking his loved one.

My eight-kilogram Persian cat did not tolerate brushing. He scratched, bit and squirmed so much that it was very difficult to hold him. We had to take precautions: put on an oilcloth apron and wrap our hands in two terry towels to avoid injury.

If you need to move a frightened cat to another room, play it safe. Canvas tops will come in handy. As a measure of short-term submission, a blanket thrown over a cat is suitable.

The cat needs shelter

There are several ways to help your cat cope with fear:

1. Retreating is an effective way to calm a frightened cat and calm an aggressive cat. By retreating a few steps, do not deprive the cat of the opportunity to retreat on her own. Remove from the room the irritant that caused her violent reaction - a stranger or another animal.
2. If you do not feel a direct threat from a frightened cat, sit down or lie down on the floor. She will feel more confident “on equal terms.” And don't look the beast in the eye.
3. Stop paying attention, ignore. Relax and look away. Talk in a low voice to yourself or to someone nearby. Sing something gently. This way the cat will understand that she is not in danger.
4. And of course, a furry pet should always have its own hiding place, where it can feel safe and calm.
   Provide your cat with a place where he feels safe
5. When the cat has stopped showing signs of aggression and fear, approach it with a treat, but do not touch it. Let the animal decide for itself whether to approach you or not.

How not to behave with a scared cat

Under no circumstances should you anger or frighten a cat on purpose! It must be funny to watch how a frightened, roaring animal with flattened ears brushes off the offender with its paw. But this may end with the cat deciding: the best defense is an attack. In this case, it won't be surprising if he attacks when you don't expect it.

It is strictly forbidden to hit a cat or shout at it. Firstly, it makes no sense: cats do not know the feeling of guilt, and they do not perceive the word “impossible”. Secondly, the owner risks making a mortal enemy instead of the affectionate purr.

Be careful with an angry cat

Helping your cat cope with stress

Cats have a hard time with changing their environment; it is stressful for them. What to do if you can’t avoid a trip to the country, a trip to the veterinarian or hairdresser?

Two necessary conditions for the trouble-free movement of a cat are a calm owner and a comfortable carrier, which should become a second home for the animal. You cannot carry the animal in your arms.

Before traveling, prepare a mobile shelter for your cat - a comfortable carrier with hard walls, soft bedding and ventilation. For sound insulation and warmth, the carrier is wrapped with soft cloth on top. The cat should perceive the mobile house as a shelter where your pet can hide, say, after a doctor’s examination and calm down.

Required conditions after stress - peace and quiet

Habit plays an important role. If you plan to often take your cat with you on trips, you need to gradually accustom it to this from childhood. A pet that regularly travels in its portable home will not create problems during its next voyage.

Medicinal methods

In order to prepare the cat for stress, which cannot be avoided, special medications based on herbal ingredients are used.

For example, Fitex contains hops, motherwort, valerian, and Baikal skullcap. In addition to these herbs, Stop-Stress contains phenibut. The drug Kot Bayun is available in the form of infusion and tablets.

It includes extracts from a dozen medicinal plants.

To overcome stressful situations, calming cat food containing herbal sedatives and special collars with pheromones are also produced.

A calming collar with pheromones will help the animal cope with a stressful situation

Photo gallery: sedative medications

Fitex drops for cats calm and heal Xylazine has a calming and analgesic effect Drops for cats Stop Stress have a long-lasting calming effect Kot Bayun - a dietary supplement for a calm life for cats

No one is immune from stress and fear, not even cats.

Each domestic cat has a unique character and temperament. No one knows how your pet will behave in an unusual situation. Only love, care and the right reaction will help owners of tailed pets find the right approach to their animal and help them cope with emotional turmoil.

• Dmitry Redkin
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Source: https://prohvost.club/koshki/povedenie-koshek/kak-uspokoit-kota.html

Wild and domesticated cats

Usually, when talking about wild cats, we mean animals born on the street.
The four-legged animals stay in the nest for up to 1.5–2 months and do not see people or other animals. Afterwards they explore the world under the strict control of their mother. Naturally, the “two-legged giant” seems like a threat to the little kitten. The reaction is quite predictable - run for cover, and if caught, then scratch, hiss, bite and call for the mother. Tamed cats are animals that lived in human company for some time, but suddenly began to be afraid of people. In addition to bites and scratches, you can receive gifts from a frightened animal in the form of piles and puddles, torn wallpaper or torn curtains. It is more difficult to correct the behavior of a domestic cat than a wild one.