My cat is scared of her own shadow (figure of speech), how can I help her?

Question

She's an indoor, declawed 12 yr. cat , my "baby". She jumps over every doorway and creeps around the house like there's something here. I know I had mice before, so she's heard them in the walls! I just say "hey!" or whatever and she jumps, all 4's come off the floor. I feel sorry for her, but I've lived here for 10 yrs. and you would think she would feel at home by now and not so scared! How can I help her from being so scared of every little noise? Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

I've a 10 year old cat that's afraid of thunder, the doorbell ringing, the phone ringing, the sound plastic bags make, people he's never met and several other things. All I can do is try and calm him down. When it's thundering he looks terrified and runs under the bed so I get down on the floor and talk to him and soon he relaxes and starts purring.

Answer 2

Some cats are high strung, as long as she eats well and doesn't damage the house (especially the floors, if you know what I mean) don't worry about it. At that age, she should be seeing a vet every 6 months or so. Next time you are there, ask about it. She could have a hearing or visual problem.

Also, check out Warren Eckstein. He's an animal behaviorist with a radio show about pets.

I'll bet he covers nervous cats and dogs in his books. He probably suggests playing a tape of noises at a very low volume to get them acclimated to the sound.

Answer 3

It sound's to me that this has just stared not to long ago?
If so see what the vet can do, if thats not an option there are some herbials that may work. Try to find valerian root, and make a toy for her with it will help claim, it's more claiming then catnip, after the romp with it.
My I suggest a book,
"The country vet's home remedies for cats",
by - David Kay, consultant - H. Ellen Whiteley,D.V.M.
200 pages, put out by Publications International,Ltd.
around $3.50 to $5.00.
I used some of stuff in it with no problems.

Answer 4

Just keep on loving her. I have 2 cats .. one isn't afraid of man nor
beast , The other is , as you say, a scaredy-cat. As mentioned , try not make loud noises and hold her a lot if she'll let you . Cats ,generally, like the feeling of security they get from being held and/ or petted and stroked ( as a matter of fact, so do I ..LOL ) .. :)

Answer 5

if she hasnt always been this afraid then something could have happened while you was out, bee sting, got stuck for a while, any number of things, try walking her through the house and seeing where she gets most scared.. if its just the loud noise you could turn the tv or radio up so she will become less sensitive to the loud noise.. good luck.

Answer 6

Gawd...poor declawed kitty!!!...there is alot of things out there now to avoid declawing a kitty now....
try holding her n cuddling her and make a diff noise ..she should get used to some of them...however after 10 yrs...is she a purebred? they seem to be more high strung
then a heinz 57...good luck

Answer 7

After 12 years, you may have to accept she's a bit jittery. But to help, try to avoid loud, sudden noises or statements. Give her lots of assurance and stroking, make her feel safe. See if some premium catnip can help her "mellow", though don't blame me when she orders 3 large pizzas and cranks up Deep Purple at 2am..........

Answer 8

You can buy "Rescue Remedy" for her at a health food store. You can put it in her water or through an eyedropper. It will help calm her nerves. Some cats react this way after being declawed.

Best wishes.

Answer 9

My cat is like that too, some cats are ultra nervous, they never really get over it, all you can do is let her be, you can give her anxiety medicine but that is more stressful for her to get it down her throat.

Answer 10

Good luck, I have one you can jump out and yell boo to and she looks at you like she is bored (I don't really do that) and one that you can just walk in her direction and ZOOM in the bedroom under the bed.