By Rob Doole from Bonlays for Pet News and Views

Some cats are more anxious than others. No matter how well you treat her or him, whether showering them with affection or offering new toys to play with, they still take flight when in the presence of a scary noise. It takes time to help your cat overcome his or her frightfulness, but it’s all worth it.

There can be many reasons as to why your cat is nervous,   but the most common causes are:

 Previous frightening experiences – commonly your cat’s survival mechanism kicks in after one scary occasion and tells him or her to always anticipate another occurrence.
 Genetics – some cats are more nervous than others due to their genetic make-up.
 Lack of confidence as a kitten – your cat’s adolescence is the most crucial time for them to grow in confidence. If a kitten (by the time they’re eight weeks old) is introduced to people and general noise, they are more  than likely to grow to be a confident cat.
Scared of Noises

If your cat is skittish when there are a lot of noises such as house guests nattering during a dinner party, there is one simple tip that can help your cat overcome his or her shyness.

Sherpa bag from Bonlays is perfect because your cat can see outside.
Introduce your cat to a pen that is placed in the corner of a room (ideally not the kitchen as there are plenty of hiding places). Cover the crate with a blanket so that all the sides except the front is covered. It’s best to introduce the pen to your cat during a quiet period so he or she can get used to it. Having a toy or some treats can also help encourage your cat to go into the pen and feel safe.  Once your cat is used to the new surroundings sit near the pen and talk, then ask for other people to come and talk nearby so your cat gradually gets used to new noises. After a while, it’s hard to say how long after as each cat is different, your cat will be happy to be in the same room as other people without resorting to hiding in the pen. This tactic can also be used if you’re introducing a nervous cat into your home.

Getting to the Vets

It can be quite difficult to encourage a cat into a travel box to take them to the vets, especially if they’re nervous. We’d suggest that you leave the cat carrier out in the open about a week before they visit the vet. Leave the door of the carrier open and put some toys or treats inside so their encouraged to explore. Look for carriers that have mesh sides so your cat can see what is going on around them. It will make them feel more at ease than being kept in darkness, and can also prevent travel sickness.

Toys

Cats, whether they are confident or nervous, love to play. Playing with a toy such as a bird on a wire will help to mature their natural hunting instincts as well as help them to develop confidence. However, try not to push them too hard, if your cat doesn’t want to play, leave your cat to his or her own devices; new things can be quite scary to timid cats.