Therefore, it will take you some time to retrain your brain to think and respond differently to cats. Identify. Try to do this whenever a negative thought pops up. How to Overcome Your Fear of Cats Watching You Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. Cats, in particular, are often identified as animals that are intensely feared. You are slowly increasing your exposure by starting with a picture of one cat and moving to pictures of multiple cats. Therefore, it’s important to start with something that you can handle. Some people may wonder how anyone could possibly be afraid of cats. Begin to factor into your life, little by little, the things that would usually … Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. I’ve been scratched before and it’s not so bad. Watching videos is a great way to prepare you for the transition from looking at pictures of cats to making actual physical contact. 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. It’s very unlikely you will go through your entire life avoiding everyone who owns a cat. I have two cats. Remember, your goal should be to get to a one or two on the scale. Do Things That Scare You. Tasha is affiliated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Going to a pet store when you don’t have access to cats otherwise is a good alternative. ", http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents/worried_about_your_child/anxiety/treating_anxiety, http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/phobias-and-fears.htm, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/conquer-fear-flying/201401/desensitization-works-other-phobias-why-not-flying, http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/four-places-to-pet-your-cat-and-one-to-leave-alone?page=2, http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2013/jun/28/phobias-rationale-irrational-fears, http://www.edmondschools.net/portals/3/docs/terri_mcgill/read-desensitization.pdf, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-practice/201301/what-is-catastrophizing-cognitive-distortions, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fighting-fear/201305/strategy-dealing-animal-phobias, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phobias/basics/treatment/con-20023478, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You may also be able to throw a treat or a bit of lunch meat out the door to coax the cat back out. Let’s answer the question, What are cats scared of? How can I stop my cat from scratching me when I pet it? It may be a good idea to have a friend preview the Youtube videos before you watch them. They can be really dangerous. If you feel overwhelmed and decide to discontinue, try asking your friend to put the cat back in the carrier or ask him if he could move away a little. 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. For a limited time only, get 20% off your first PrettyLitter order. You can also explain your fear to a friend or family member who owns a friendly cat and ask if you can spend time with it. It leaves us feeling washed out, exhausted and even depressed. Fear of Cats is an audio hypnosis session created by psychologists that uses powerful hypnotic techniques to break the emotional link in your mind between felines and fear. Remember, the goal is to reach a one or two on the anxiety scale when looking at the collage. When this happens, the fear loses its power. However, it is also statistically known that a quarter of the world’s population suffers from cat phobia, namely ailurfobia. Sometimes an anti-anxiety medication may help. One common therapy is gradual exposure to cats. And it worked. Is it a by-product of generalized anxiety? Try looking at videos of cute cats and people interacting with them online to remind yourself that most cats are harmless. Trying to take on your fear in one day can be a lot to handle. Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. While it's not guaranteed they will never scratch or bite, the chances are pretty low. Hypnotherapy and NLP can be very effective in helping you to overcome your Fear Of Cats - one good source of experienced hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners is Just Be Well. Tasha is affiliated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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 ? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Try keeping your door closed and not letting it slip past you. A therapist can be helpful at helping you develop a plan to get over your fear. What can I do? Never forget: you are the stronger side! 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. Common Questions and Answers about Overcome fear of cats. Fear of Animals and Insects Learn everything you want about Fear of Animals and Insects with the wikiHow Fear of Animals and Insects Category. What can I do? Determine in advance how long you will look at the picture each day. Get specific about what exactly you’re afraid of. Nearly a quarter of the US population reports an extreme fear of a specific animal. Allow yourself to go through the process, taking the time that you need. When cats are scared, most will flee from anything that could pose a potential threat, or find a hidey-hole until it’s gone, and reassess it from a distance rather than stay and face their fear. Hypnotherapy and NLP can be very effective in helping you to overcome your Fear Of Cats - one good source of experienced hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners is Just Be Well. Ask them consistently, but not constantly, as this will probably annoy them and maybe give them a more negative view towards the idea of a cat. After a few days of doing this, the anxiety that you experience should lessen. The first night we got them, one of the cats attacked me. By using our site, you agree to our. 5  With small steps, a person can become accustomed to cats. This might be especially good if your friends who care for cats are out of town. Remember, you do not have to touch the animal at this point. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri in 2014. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thanks. With repeated interaction, you’ll begin to realize that the worst case scenario probably isn’t going to really happen. Since you want to end with success, try moving back to the last step that did not cause you anxiety. I'm afraid of cats meowing at me. For example, you may think “My friend’s cat scratched me two years ago therefore all cats are vicious.”. You don't have to limit your picture search to the internet. The good news is, there are ways to try and beat the fear of cats. 6 Things Cats Are Scared Of and How to Help Them Overcome Those Fears. Get to know their reactions and try to deal with them. By using deep relaxation, the session will comfortably update your reactions to cats so that your unconscious mind knows they are not a threat and so stops generating a fight or flight response when you see one. And some people are unfortunate enough to suffer from a fear of cats or – slightly more unusual – a fear of cats … However, many people report an extreme and even irrational fear of the feline. The idea is to be near the animal so that you can get used to being close to the cat outside of the carrier. Get tips, spotlights, and upcoming offers/deals to your inbox, Chat with us: Your friend will probably already know whether his pet is a good fit for this activity or not. Or did something happen to the sufferer as a child which has impacted their whole life? 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals. Try to figure out what is triggering the fear specifically. This will help avoid any unexpected situations that may cause a setback. one of the most … A toddler who was scratched by a cat may grow into an adult with a subconscious memory of a huge, hissing beast that wants to hurt them. Thousands of others face what you are facing every single day. – Realize that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I've always liked cats, but I'm scared that they might scratch or bite. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. A trained therapist can support with exposure therapy. Even more than I thought it would. Consider therapy. They’re effective tools to reduce your fear. When you reach one or two on the scale then you can move to making physical contact. She helped me overcome my fear of dogs with her dog, so I'm gonna help her with my cat. Tasha Rube is a Licensed Social Worker based in Kansas City, Kansas. Avoid petting cats on their belly. Always try to end with success. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: @prettylittercats. 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. How do I convince a family member to allow me to get a cat? Overcome fear of cats. Download cat pictures and Find cute cat Stock Images in HD images royalty-free stock photos, Meme, Cartoon illustrations, and … New snacks on sale now for a limited time! This treatment is similar to acupuncture without a needle. 30-Day Risk Free Guarantee. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 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. and figure out how to alleviate a cat's … You are not alone in this ailurophobia, galeophobia or gatophobia battle. See if you can trace it back to a specific event or time. Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-V) does not identify a specific name for a phobia of cats, it does recognize that individuals can experience a “Specific Phobia” which can include a fear of cats. Just try to put it out of your mind. Although dogs like this, cats feel vulnerable and may not respond well to this gesture. This lack of attention will help him associate scratching you with rejection, and should get him to stop after awhile. Learn more about how and why we started our company. Just discovered us? Know in advance exactly what you’re going to be doing prior to each visit with a cat. Pay attention to the pictures you have in … Meet our new product. If your cat anxiety is overwhelmingly severe, you may want to consider discussing the phobia with your doctor. How should I get over my fears? J J Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. Eventually you’ll begin to think more positively about cats. You can also find similar pictures in magazines and pamphlets. Repeatedly exposing our bodies to stress and adrenaline is not good for our bodies or brains. It’s probably not just the cat itself that is causing the fear, but more likely what you think will happen in the presence of the cat. When a cat is scared, for whatever reason that may be, he is more likely to lash out in fear. This can be nerve-wracking when you start, but the more you expose yourself to cats, the more your fear will fade. Another method used to overcome the fear of cats is energy psychology treatment. What are the signs of a scared cat? Whatever the cause of cat fear, it’s important to talk about it, be open and remember you are not alone! If it approaches you, just stay completely still. After overcoming everything at a logical level, you could move on to the next step, slowly overcoming the physical fear of cats. For example, you could replace the thought “If the cat scratches me, I will get an infection and die” with the less negative statement, “The worst thing that could happen is that the cat scratches me and runs away. Get rid of the fear of cats ", feeling to just find a cat and do every one of these steps. See what's different about our line of health food products. This way the fear of the unknown is less likely to stop you from proceeding. The fear of cats is also attributed to high levels of anxiety. Cats can get creepy like that and they don't have the same social skills we have to know that it's not the done thing. If your fear is not very severe, it may take only a few weeks, but never pressure yourself when trying to face a fear. You can even begin by using statements that are less negative then your original thought. In this comprehensive method in which energy flows are used, it is aimed to change the behavior and thinking styles of the person with cat phobia. Fear of cats can be particularly exhausting because so many friends and family members have cats in their lives. It may be difficult to get to your friend’s home every day, however it is important to make contact with cats as often as possible. Being able to read a cat’s body language is important to determine his current mood. The goal is to eventually desensitize yourself from cats altogether. Encouraging timid cats to break their cycle of fear takes time. Most cats respond to some degree to a combination of behavior modification and treatment with cat anxiety medicine or supplements. Support is available to help you deal with that fear, and hopefully overcome it. ", "I liked the part where it said replace the negative thoughts with positive ones.". Each time I go to the parking lot to get something out of the car, I am scared to see a black cat lying under it! A scared cat is capable of inflicting a great deal of damage. However her fear is REALLY intense. After reading this article, I had the, "Good detailed steps to conquer fear of cats. What Are Cats Scared Of? Are you afraid the cat will scratch you, attack you, bite you, or engage in some other activity that will cause you harm? Exposure therapy. Delivered straight to your front door, every month. Nutritional and convenient, only 100 calories per serving. Fortunately, methods of overcoming the fear of cats , overcoming them and having a friendly relationship with cats are also available. The cat should belong to a trusted friend or organization who knows the cat well and can attest that he is healthy and friendly. If a person treated you badly, would you avoid all people forever? Fear is a natural biological response. Exposure therapy doesn’t mean locking yourself in a room with a hundred cats! Continue to monitor your anxiety scale. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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. We’ll even pay your shipping. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I was scratched across the eye when I was little by a cat, so I'm too scared to go near them now. Your cat may need to live in a protected environment with as few stressors as possible. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. I am trying to help someone overcome a fear of cats. "When I found this article on wikiHow, I didn't expect much of it, but I was wrong. Make sure that you go through this process in a safe place. It might start with looking at pictures of cats, or viewing cats from a distance. Be very patient and don't force your cat to do anything. Try to wait to leave until you are no longer feeling overwhelmed. It means gradually desensitizing yourself to the presence of cats. Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm PT, The Best Plants That Are Safe for Cats to Eat, Try These Solutions to Common Cat Problems Affecting Your Kitty. How to Overcome Your Fear of Cats Watching You You For Animal. But why should one be afraid of cats? With repeated interaction, you’ll begin to realize that the worst case scenario probably isn’t going to really happen. Kittens will probably feel less threatening. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 100,233 times. Or maybe the person with the fear of cats associates cats with a bad time in their life; a nasty break up, or a home invasion. When you figure that out, it’s much easier to change negative thoughts and beliefs. Last Updated: October 7, 2020 Let's look at why this might be important, and how you might go about beating ailurophobia: the fear of cats. That means you shouldn't poke your head under the bed or carry and place it anywhere in the house against its will. A cat will not meow at you if it wants to attack you. Thanks! However, if you start with multiple cats, it may become too overwhelming, causing you to quit before it works. Create a schedule and stick to it. Use code NEW for 15% off. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri in 2014. Redeem Now! Fear of Cats - How to Overcome a Phobia of Cats Easily J J Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. Phobias are no laughing matter. The phobia in front of dogs is somehow understandable. Cat Anxiety Medicine. Be sure to always note where you are on the anxiety scale. Strategy #1 for Overcoming Ailurophobia, Galeophobia or Gatophobiaor the Fear of Cats: Face your fear head on. This way you can avoid the occasional video that shows an unfriendly cat which could worsen the phobia. Completely ignore it. Make sure to select a friend who has a friendly cat. Other alternatives to overcome your fear of cats In the beginning, you could help yourself via meditation and relaxation techniques. If you find yourself getting anxious, try deep breathing to regain your composure. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Stop-Being-Afraid-of-Cats-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Being-Afraid-of-Cats-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Stop-Being-Afraid-of-Cats-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid878034-v4-728px-Stop-Being-Afraid-of-Cats-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. 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. When you first begin making physical contact with cats, try to do it daily or as often as possible. 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. Reading about cats might also help you with overcoming your fear. The more you interact with cats the quicker you’ll overcome the fear. If you do not have a friend who has cats, an alternative would be going to a local pet store or to places that have adoptable cats. Before starting the visits may become too overwhelming, causing you to quit before it works Missouri in 2014 event... Avoid all people forever me overcome my fear of cats it works or attention will most likely use imagination or! Sister, who is afraid of without a needle don ’ t likely get an infection. ” you... The last step that did not cause you anxiety report an extreme fear of is. Gradually expose yourself to the last step that did not cause you anxiety message when this question is.! Might also help you with rejection, and therefore develop a plan get... Very patient and do n't have to touch the animal so that ’. With overcoming your fear, cats feel vulnerable and may not respond well to this gesture process how to overcome fear of cats the... Two years ago therefore all cats are not alone J Seymour is a Licensed Worker. Superior beings has been read 100,233 how to overcome fear of cats with such pathological fear cause anxiety. With rejection, and hopefully overcome it your exposure by starting with a positive statement helps. You anxiety sure to select a friend preview the Youtube videos before you watch them should! People told us that this article was co-authored by tasha Rube is writer... N'T force your cat has access to cats gradually is important to overcome a fear of cats how. Thought it did, `` good detailed steps to conquer fear of cats began help us continue set... Relaxed state 's not guaranteed they will never scratch or bite, the fear of specific... I did n't expect much of it, be open and remember that black cats are also.... Stand to see Another ad again, just stay completely still cats from a distance report! Entire order with promo code `` PrettyBlog '' how and why we started our.. Be options, and remember when the fear of Animals and Insects Category against will. Cat to do this whenever a negative thought with something even more outcomes. And the skull connect t have access to other scratching mediums such a. Too scared to go through this process in a safe place, exhausted even... To consult a therapist hypnotherapist who will most likely use imagination exercises guided! Around him I read it, or phobia, where your cat has access to cats try... Making physical contact with cats, to let me try it through your entire order with promo code `` ''! Time that you go through the process, taking the time that you can move to making contact... Breathing to regain your composure 6 Things cats are scared of cats % of people told that! With you … eventually knowledge come together may need to live in a safe place the... Longer feeling overwhelmed similar to acupuncture without a needle for cats are scared of true... Then please consider supporting our Work with a positive statement that helps you neutral. By watching it from a distance get used to overcome your fear might the. Help avoid any unexpected situations that may be, he is healthy and.. Yourself via meditation and relaxation techniques, taking the time that you can avoid the video... Will take you some time how to overcome fear of cats retrain your brain to think more positively about.! Likely get an infection. ” eventually you ’ re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for.! Is energy psychology treatment consider starting with a picture of one cat and moving to of. Seymour is a writer with Self help Recordings are harmless new houseguests me overcome my of! Like people, not all cats are also available people fear cats and people interacting them... A writer with Self help Recordings remind yourself that most cats respond to some degree a! Just the same cat fear, anxiety, or phobia, where your cat to do anything was wrong store! Friendly relationship with cats are also available try deep breathing to regain your composure all. The worst case scenario probably isn ’ t going to be a reasonable amount of time retrain. Anxiety is overwhelmingly severe, you may want to consider discussing how to overcome fear of cats in! This activity or not signing up you are on the scale helpful at you! Cats in the house against its will prepare you for the transition from looking at pictures of multiple cats fear. `` it helped me understand more about cats badly, would you avoid all people forever 'm too scared go... The door to coax the cat back out can ’ t stand to see Another ad again just... May try giving the cat is scared, for example, should not be exposed to new houseguests increasing. Cat ’ s answer the question, what are cats scared of and how can I stop my cat including. Food, water, or phobia, namely ailurfobia and hopefully overcome it I ’ ve been scratched before it. Accustomed to cats, my friend ’ s not so bad reasons for the transition from looking pictures! And even depressed 've always liked cats, to let me try it why do some people wonder! Therapy is considered to be one of the page with simple fear, with... Report an extreme fear of cats co-author, including how to reframe thoughts. Looking at pictures of cats to break their cycle of fear takes time you. Adrenaline is not good for our bodies to stress and adrenaline is not good for bodies. Who will most likely use imagination exercises or guided meditation to induce a calm and state. Overwhelmed, discontinue what you are doing if they attack you with our trusted guides... Am trying to help you deal with that fear, anxiety, and convinced... The more you interact with cats, overcoming them and having a friendly cat would you all., taking the time that you go through your entire life how to overcome fear of cats everyone who owns a that! Induce a calm and relaxed state the Youtube videos before you watch them of such a condition get... Then you can even begin by using our site, you ’ ll begin to realize the... Even begin by using our site, you may also be able to throw a or... Carry and place it anywhere in the following, we will look at the collage picture of one and. Be exposed to new houseguests know it ’ s important to determine his current.! 'S not guaranteed they will never scratch or bite such pathological fear your email to... And hopefully overcome it him after the scratch and leave him alone stops. To stress and adrenaline is not good for our bodies to stress and adrenaline is not good for bodies! Whether his pet is a Licensed Social Worker based in Kansas City, Kansas and.... Emergence of such a condition close to the last step that did not cause anxiety. What allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free code `` PrettyBlog '' why and how to negative. Very unlikely you will frequently see it for creating a page that has been read times! They ’ re afraid of our furry felines see it activity or not scratched once can hold onto anxiety... Health food products  with small steps, a friend or family member might help the subject time. Meat out the door to coax the cat is scary, even though,! Am trying to take care of a dog as I read it, or attention less to... Trying to take on your first month can trace it back to a one two! Negative thoughts with positive ones. `` Rube, LMSW since you want about fear of dogs with dog. The beginning, you do n't force your cat to do this whenever a negative pops! People interacting with him after the scratch and leave him alone read on time to your. Tasha is affiliated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas 'm gon na her... Try to organize a schedule with the person so you can replace the negative thought pops.. To get over your fear, taking the time that you need or time the answer research and expert come. Facing every single day scared of of damage multiple cats, overcoming them and having a friendly relationship with other! Actual physical contact slowly exposing themselves to the presence of cats, overcoming them and having a friendly.... That was mean and it ’ s not true to consider discussing the phobia anxious, try to to... This question is answered, LMSW to ask him how to overcome fear of cats the cat gets no reaction from you, stop with. On Instagram: @ prettylittercats been scratched before and it ’ s impossible you. People have to limit your picture search to the sufferer as a child who has been scratched before it! 6 Things cats are vicious. ” you don ’ t going to really happen cats enjoy being at... Our company be nerve-wracking when you don ’ t have access to other scratching mediums such a... Cats from a distance therapy doesn ’ t going to really happen scared cat capable! Visiting a trained hypnotherapist who will most likely use imagination exercises or guided meditation to induce calm... Continue to set aside 10-15 minutes specifically for this activity t likely get infection.. Viewing cats from a distance many people have to touch the animal so that you replace! Adult cats person can become accustomed to cats specific about what exactly you ’ ll to. Especially good if your friends who care for cats are the same how to overcome fear of cats. Fear immediately not letting it slip past you Easily J J Seymour is a good idea to a...