HOW CAN I SOOTHE AND CALM MY CAT?
Cats are instinctual animals, and sometimes they become jumpy and skittish. These kitties may hide and cower when you come near, or they might cover up their nervousness with displays of claws and hissing. When you see this, your first instinct will be to do whatever it takes to help your cat feel safe again. The good news is that no matter the cause of your cat's angst, there's a lot you can do to help calm and soothe your nervous cat.
Why Is Your Cat Jumpy and Nervous?
Some cats handle stressful situations with ease and can quickly revert to their calm, happy-go-lucky ways. But for other cats, issues may linger, and it can take some time before they learn to trust again.
Stressed-out cat symptoms include being easily startled or hiding for no apparent reason, being extra vigilant and on guard, losing interest in playing, or displaying other unwanted behaviors. If you're introducing your cat to a new home or environment, he may be fearful. A cat might overreact to a "trigger," like destructively scratching to get away when hearing thunder.
For some cats, all it takes is a relatively small trigger. A friendly cat that's startled while walking outside on a harness might hiss and scratch until he's calmed down. A cat stressed from moving to a new home or introduction of a new pet might meow excessively or even scratch and spray to express his nervousness. Whether the trigger is big or small, try these techniques to help calm him down.
Slow Movements Can Calm a Nervous Cat