What is it?
Cats can become afraid of places
such as cars, the veterinary
practice or rooms that the cat
associates with a loud appliance or
a traumatic experience such as a
bath. Some cats vocalize, others
freeze, others try to fight or
escape. Some cats do combinations of
these behaviors. A distressed cat
yowl in the car can be unsettling
for cat and people.
What to do
First, teach the cat to come and
sit for a treat. Any time the cat is
showing mild fear, you may be able
to distract the cat by instructing
him to come and sit for a treat.
To help a feline face his or her
fears, it helps to establish baby
steps from a place where your cat
has no fear to the place that
triggers your cat's fear. The goal
is to help the cat become more
comfortable step by step - not all
at once. You want to help the cat
relax when the fear is mild.
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Try to end each training
session on a good response
and after a positive
experience. |
For example, establish all the
baby steps prior to the cat being
afraid in the car. Perhaps, the
first step is get the cat
comfortable being in a car carrier
or kennel. After the cat is "kennel
trained" then try moving the kennel
when the cat is inside. Use treats
and praise to reinforce relaxed,
calm behaviors. Over time, you will
be able to carry the cat inside the
kennel to the car without the cat
showing fear.
Be careful not to reinforce
fearful behaviors with the intent to
comfort the cat.
Eventually the cat will be able to
accept treats inside the car, then
baby step by baby step become
comfortable with car sounds such as
doors closing and the engine being
turned on and off. Make the first
car trips short ones like around the
block. Set up the cat for success.
Similarly a cat that is fearful of a
particular room, may need to be
taught to sit in the doorway for
food and treats. Then when the cat
is comfortable, raise the bar to
being a step or two inside the room
to receive the treat or meal.
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