Fear and stress in cats

Although our cats are descendants of the big felines, they are not wild and there are things and behaviors that can provoke a lot of fear and stress. That is why, when having a cat at home, we have to take into account what scares them and avoid it.

Every pet is different, and there may be cats that are more fearful than others or that are not afraid of some of these things.

Loud noises

Most cats can't stand loud noises, as they have very sensitive and powerful hearing that allows them to perceive sounds outside the hearing range of humans. That's why loud noises can seem like torture to them, such as loud music, thunder or rockets.

To avoid causing stress to your cat with music, it is best to opt for headphones or isolate yourself in a room with an appropriate volume, so your pet can go through other areas of the house without being disturbed by the music.

In the case of thunder and rockets, it is important to move your pet away from the noise, closing windows, accessing a room where it is not heard so much or trying to calm him, petting him or even playing with him so that he is not so aware of the sound.

Changes in his routine

Changing their routine involves facing the unknown and that can cause them stress. Our pets are used to a routine and love to anticipate what is going to happen, like knowing their meal times or finding their favorite toy or scratching post in the same place.

An unexpected change in their routine alters their state and they will be alert. That is why when it is time to make an adoption and take the cat home, it needs a few days of adaptation and return to the routine.

Bad odors or strong smells

Depending on the animal this can affect them more or less. As with the issue of sound, cats have a highly developed sense of smell, which allows them to detect all kinds of odors, in order to follow a trail and increase their survival.

Cats detest the smell of citrus fruits such as orange or lemon. They also can't stand onions, vinegar, alcohol and the smell of gasoline. Curiously, however, they are attracted to the smell of bleach. So we must keep it very well if we do not want to have a good scare, since they can get to lick it.

Some objects

Yes, they are also afraid of some objects, since they do not have our ability to reason and there are objects that seem dangerous to them.

For example, balloons, because when they see them flying they think it is a predator that wants to eat them, so they think it is a threat and feel alert. Just as if it explodes, the sound will scare them.

The funny videos of cats being scared by cucumbers are really causing a lot of stress to the animal, since they think it is a predator, like a snake because of its elongated shape.

Strangers

This will also depend on the character of the animal. But as a general rule, felines are cautious animals and tend to be very distrustful at first if they do not know people.

That is why there are animals that when they see an unfamiliar person in their own home, they may hide or analyze them at all levels until they pass their confidence test.

Conclusion

It is important to take into account this list to save our pet a good scare or a lot of stress. In addition to these things, it is worth mentioning the great fear that most cats have of water. This can derive in fear or simply that they do not like it, but we must respect their character and their space.

As well as we must avoid staring, without blinking, as they may feel threatened and may react violently or fleeing.