There are many reasons why your cat might be displaying
behaviours you would consider shy, nervous, or timid.
Some may not have been socialised properly,
which means they didn't receive the right level
of gradual exposure to human contact and noise
in the first eight weeks of their life,
and this has had a lasting effect on them.
Some cats are naturally cautious in nature
while some may have been harmed or scared
by humans in the past so are wary of people.
It's important to try and help your cat overcome
this shyness in order for them
to lead a happy and healthy life.
So here's a few tips to help.
However, this advice is not applicable for cats
who are considered feral.
Cats de-stress quicker if they can hide,
preferably somewhere dark and up high.
So make sure your cat has plenty of spaces
around the house to hide, such as tops of wardrobes,
cardboard boxes, igloo beds, climbing trees,
and under beds.
Cats can show anxious behaviours if they
are having frequent negative encounters
with any neighbourhood or stray cats.
You can prevent other cats from entering your home
by installing an electronic cat flap
that can only be opened by your cat's microchip.
Also, make sure the place where your cat eats
is private and not in sight of any windows
or doors where other cats can stare through at them.
If your cat is reluctant to eat during the day,
ensure you leave food out overnight.
Fearful cats are generally more comfortable eating
when everyone has gone to bed.
If possible, avoid positioning the food bowl
directly against a wall.
Instead, place it so the cat can eat with their back
to the wall, and with full view of the room.
This is so they will not have to worry about
anything scaring them from behind while they eat.
Any litter trays need to be placed
in a quiet, private part of the house.
Make sure the tray is accessible at all times
and not in a closed off or cluttered room.
If you do see any interloper cats in your garden
gently shoo them away as soon as possible.
Never reinforce other cats entering your garden
with food or fuss, as this will encourage them to return.
For more information on how to keep other cats
out of your garden, please visit our webpage.
Cats are creatures of habit.
They like to know when they're being fed,
when they can sleep, and when you may be coming and going.
So any upset to the normal routine
may make nervous cats even more so.
For example, if their feeding time needs to be changed
from 5pm to 8pm due to your working pattern,
try and make this change gradual for them,
over a couple of weeks rather than all of a sudden.
When cats rub their face up against furniture,
they are scent marking.
This makes the surroundings feel familiar,
and helps them feel safe.
For shy cats, you can use a pheromone diffuser,
which releases a synthetic version of a cat's
natural facial pheromones, helping to relax your cat.
You'll need to keep the diffuser topped up
until your cat starts showing signs of relaxed behaviour,
such as rubbing their cheeks on surfaces, grooming,
and being calm in your presence.
Another way to make their environment smell familiar
if your cat is comfortable with you doing so,
is to gently rub your cat's cheek with a soft cotton cloth,
and then rub this on cat-height surfaces
around the house to spread their pheromones
A good way to make a shy cat feel relaxed
around you is to ignore them.
Fearful cats typically bond quicker with people
that don't try to make friends with them.
Your cat may be more comfortable being closer
to you when you are stationary.
So try sitting quietly in a room, and read a book,
or watch the TV, and let them come to you in their own time.
This way, they won't feel pressured
or anxious in your presence.
Forcing attention on your cat can feel
extremely threatening for them, particularly for shy cats,
especially if you tower over them and try
and stroke them or pick them up.
Stroking is not comfortable to a cat
when they're fearful of people or handling.
The better you can understand your cat's body language,
the more you'll be able to help them relax.
Leaning away, ears down and dilated pupils
are all indicators theyare fearful or anxious.
If you notice these signs, stop what
you're doing or change what's happening
in your cat's environment immediately.
Remember, anything can be a stressor depending
on the individual cat.
Moving furniture, visitors, or even a loud bang
may be stressful for your cat.
The more stressors they encounter in a day, the more
it will affect how confident or shy they appear.
Most importantly, you must be patient
with a shy or nervous cat.
Never force them to interact when they're not ready,
or lose your temper with them because they're not responding
as quickly as you'd like them to.
By taking your time and gradually earning
their trust, your cat will be much happier
and more able to bond and show affection.
If you have any concerns,
you should contact your vet for advice.
For more information on shy cats,
please visit our website.
There are also lots more videos
on cat behaviour on our YouTube channel.