Understanding Cat Phobia: Causes and Coping Strategies

Part 1: The Three Potential Triggers of Excessive, Irrational Fear

1. Fear caused by other living beings, particularly cats, dogs, and humans.

2. Nonliving triggers, such as: a fear of noise.

3. Certain situations, such as being alone in a room or being taken to a veterinarian.

Part 2: The Origin of Phobias

Excessive fear is the result of the interaction between innate and learned factors. Specifically, innate fear involves neural pathways in the brain's "amygdala" – the area where fearinducing stimuli are received and processed, then transmitted to the emotional center of the limbic system. Severe phobias can occur in individual cats, cat families, or even entire cat breeds.

While nature (innate factors) provides the necessary foundation for fear, it is the learned experiences that are crucial. Without learning, fear would not arise in the first place.

Fear can emerge suddenly and catastrophically when a particularly traumatic event leads to a polarization of negative learning experiences. This can be considered a facet of the theme of traumatic stimuli. Starting from negative experiences, cats will go to great lengths to avoid or reject stimuli that cause fear. This type of permanent learning is facilitated by the release of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine.

Another way fear can develop is over time. In this case, a cat's fear can intensify due to repeated exposure to provocative causes. Over time, this fear can become increasingly severe.

Once fear learning is acquired, it will fade if not continually stimulated – but it will never completely disappear. And when certain environmental conditions are met, it can quickly reignite. Fortunately, new knowledge that overlays old negative associations can often reduce the perception of fear and the fear response.

Learning Fear

Cats' "sensitive period" – a period about the cat's lifelong cognition – occurs between 2 and 7 weeks of age. In the early stages of this period, fearless kittens will boldly venture into places where older cats dare not go, which is known as the "fearless brat." However, as the sensitive period continues, our young "heroes" exhibit a certain caution or tentativeness. If kittens want to avoid harm, this caution is necessary. The more motivated a kitten is to explore the outside world, the more necessary it is to worry and be careful about its safety.

For a growing kitten, associating fear with someone who shouts loudly or makes wild gestures is an adaptation. It is beneficial for young cats to be startled by external noises and disturbances, and it is also beneficial to learn to avoid experiences that cause pain or discomfort. If a cat's fear is reinforced, generalized, or misinterpreted, such as all strangers who have touched the cat causing a strong fear response, or the cat experiencing pain and discomfort every time it is taken to the veterinarian, the result can be unfortunate.

Preventing Excessive Fear

Many cats have fears that could have been prevented. The key period for preventing negative events is in the early stages of a kitten's life, particularly in the latter part of the sensitive period. At this stage, kittens must grow up in a warm, friendly environment and be exposed to various people and other animals, and it is best to avoid any bad experiences, such as longterm abuse or punishment. Carefully protecting a kitten from adversity early on will ensure it grows into a confident, adaptable cat.

A kitten that does not interact with humans or has a poor experience with humans within the first seven weeks of life will never feel comfortable in the presence of people and is likely to be afraid of strangers. Bad experiences can also cause deep and lasting fears in a cat's later life, and the intensity of the fear can increase over time. Older cats' sensitivity to fear can change with their behavioral experiences. A wellraised, fully socialized cat is less likely to interpret occasional unfortunate experiences as "rules" and more likely to view such events as exceptions.

Part 3: Types of Cat Phobias

Fear of other living beings. Cats that are afraid of humans or other species often do not socialize well or have had bad experiences with humans or other cats. Signs of fear include aggression, fleeing, and hiding. Other observable signs include dilated pupils, standing hair on end, a large, bushy tail, and inappropriate urination.

Fear of nonliving objects. For example, a fear of noise, which can cause these cats to exhibit behaviors such as hiding, being highly alert, and curling up into a ball.

Cat fears can be categorized into many situations, including fear of the owner, fear of traveling, fear of visiting the veterinarian, and fear of separation. We all know that cats are often transported in a carrier when going out, and many cats are afraid of this carrier because it is used for both traveling and visiting the veterinarian – two experiences that can be filled with fear. For example, when a cat experiences pain at the veterinarian's office, it will associate this place with the veterinarian and the unpleasant consequences. Then, the cat will realize that being placed in a carrier means it might have to travel in a car – and eventually end up at the veterinarian's office – which could lead to pain.

Separation Anxiety. If a cat is closely bonded with its human companion, it can become restless when separated from them, leading to separation anxiety. Symptoms include crying loudly when alone, a messy room, lack of appetite, and some cats may even pull out their fur. However, most cats will rush to greet their owner as soon as they hear the sound of their owner's footsteps at the door.