If you have a very nervous cat that is afraid of its shadow or rushes at the sound of a sneeze, you will be happy to know that this is common. The term “frightened cat” has to get its name from somewhere, right?
While we humans can be quite shy creatures and have our own irrational fears, cats certainly accumulate quite a few weird things they are afraid of. You’re probably nodding if you’ve ever had to lure your cat out of hiding under the bed with some of the best cat toys.
Whether you have a very sheltered indoor cat that you think is rarely exposed to anything scary or you have an adventurous outdoor cat that likes to hunt, there’s bound to be something on the list. below on which your four-legged friend is jumping.
Seven Strange Things Cats Are Afraid Of
1) Water
Although cats can swim, it’s more about “I’ll only use this skill if I need to go into survival mode” rather than an “Oh that bathtub looks like fun” attitude towards cats. ‘water.
One of the reasons is exposed in this study published in the journal of Applied Science of Animal Behavior Science (opens in a new tab) journal, which discovered that cats have more sensitive noses than canines and humans. Smell is crucial for cats as it helps them discover new surroundings and aids them in hunting. A cat’s sensitive nose will pick up chemicals and dissolved matter in the water and therefore avoid going near it.
2) Watch them
The next time you go for a staring contest with a cat, don’t bother. Despite their sassy nature, cats are quite self-conscious and are said to interpret staring at them as threatening behavior. While it can be fun to stare at your kitten, be sure to blink to let her know you’re not targeting her as an aggressor.
3) Changes in routine
Our feline pets are creatures of habit, so beware as any change in their routine or environment can trigger worry and fear in your moggy. Maybe you changed their bed location or are you trying them on a new diet with some of the best cat food and that may be why your cat looks worried or spends a lot more time alone.
We can’t always prevent changes from happening, for example you may need to change your cat’s feeding times if you’ve just got a new job or welcomed a newborn into the home . But you can try to make big changes easier so your kitten can slowly adjust to her new routine or environment.
4) Loud noises
According Cats at Broadway Veterinary Hospital (opens in a new tab), cats can hear sounds about 1.6 octaves higher than humans and one octave higher than dogs. They can also hear loud noises from afar, about four to five times farther than people. So don’t be surprised to see your kitten jump out of her fur because of a noise you barely noticed.
5) Foreigners
Dog-loving people might be offended if your kitten doesn’t spring up at them, greeting them with lots of friendly licks and a wagging tail. Cats are different by nature and by the way they were raised. Depending on the level of socialization they experienced as a kitten, this can impact how cats interact with strangers as adults.
6) Odors
As mentioned above, cats have extremely sharp senses and are not very fond of certain very particular smells. Cats are said to dislike the smell of anything strongly acidic like citrus fruits – don’t be offended if your cat runs away the next time you peel a tangerine. Certain herbs and plants may deter cats, including lavender, marigolds, lemon thyme, and rue. This is good news for all your green-fingered neighbors who are desperate to keep felines away from their plants.
Other smells that cat owners have noticed in cats are moving away from vinegar (it’s potent enough for all of us), ground coffee, and essential oils.
7) Mirrors
It turns out cats aren’t too vain, and some moggies will jump at the sight of themselves in a mirror. Cats don’t recognize themselves in the mirror, so it’s understandable that they think another cat is looking at them. This can especially confuse them as they won’t smell the usual scent they would get from another feline creature. It’s not necessary to clean all the mirrors in your home, but perhaps away from the areas of your home where your cat usually likes to hang out.
If you are looking for other ways to distract your cat from its fears, you should check out the best interactive cat toys. Or find out here How to stop your cat from peeing on the carpet.