This way the fear of the unknown is less likely to stop you from proceeding. Cats can get creepy like that and they don't have the same social skills we have to know that it's not the done thing. Your cat may need to live in a protected environment with as few stressors as possible. Exposure therapy is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for phobias. This article has been viewed 100,233 times. After overcoming everything at a logical level, you could move on to the next step, slowly overcoming the physical fear of cats. With repeated interaction, you’ll begin to realize that the worst case scenario probably isn’t going to really happen. However, continue to set aside 10-15 minutes specifically for this activity. Something either type of therapist may want to know is when the fear of cats started. Try to organize a schedule with the person so you can see their cat regularly. Fear of Animals and Insects Learn everything you want about Fear of Animals and Insects with the wikiHow Fear of Animals and Insects Category. Fear of Cats - How to Overcome a Phobia of Cats Easily J J Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. An irrational fear never seems irrational to the person experiencing it, and the fear of cats is no different from the fear of spiders or a fear of heights. When this happens, the fear loses its power. Overcoming the fear of cats phobia Prolonged exposure to cats gradually is important to overcome Gatophobia. In this type of therapy, you’ll work with … Just try to put it out of your mind. When this becomes bearable, a friend or family member might help the subject spend time with a cat. Overcome fear of cats. For example, if you are overwhelmed by holding the cat, you may try giving the cat back to the owner. By using deep relaxation, the session will comfortably update your reactions to cats so that your unconscious mind knows they are not a threat and so stops generating a fight or flight response when you see one. Strategy #1 for Overcoming Ailurophobia, Galeophobia or Gatophobiaor the Fear of Cats: Face your fear head on. If you feel overwhelmed and decide to discontinue, try asking your friend to put the cat back in the carrier or ask him if he could move away a little. Source: pexels.com While some people with this phobia may only experience trouble seeing real cats, others may have difficulty if they see anything that reminds them of cats or even if they see the word or hear the sounds that they make. Multiple brain regions are involved in phobias. Around a quarter of Americans have a phobia to a specific animal and for many people, our feline friends just don't seem that friendly! Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-V) does not identify a specific name for a phobia of cats, it does recognize that individuals can experience a “Specific Phobia” which can include a fear of cats. If the cat gets no reaction from you, it will stop headbutting or trying to play with you … eventually. By using our site, you agree to our. How do I overcome the fear of cats immediately? Tasha Rube is a Licensed Social Worker based in Kansas City, Kansas. Support is available to help you deal with that fear, and hopefully overcome it. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri in 2014. Fear is a natural biological response. A cat will not meow at you if it wants to attack you. So, if you have a phobia of cats, you are not alone. make sense, and I convinced my sister, who is afraid of cats, to let me try it. And some people are unfortunate enough to suffer from a fear of cats or - slightly more unusual - a fear of cats watching them. Start by watching it from a distance, then sit near it, then get your friend to hold it while you pet it. Always try to end with success. Delivered straight to your front door, every month. Tasha is affiliated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Trying to take on your fear in one day can be a lot to handle. However, if you start with multiple cats, it may become too overwhelming, causing you to quit before it works. Even more than I thought it would. When a cat is scared, for whatever reason that may be, he is more likely to lash out in fear. Enter code “LOVE20” at checkout. Allow yourself to go through the process, taking the time that you need. They can be really dangerous. one of the most … The more you interact with cats the quicker you’ll overcome the fear. However it's probably a good idea to ask him if the cat is friendly before starting the visits. Try keeping your door closed and not letting it slip past you. I'm afraid of cats meowing at me. For example, you may think “My friend’s cat scratched me two years ago therefore all cats are vicious.”. However, it is also statistically known that a quarter of the world’s population suffers from cat phobia, namely ailurfobia. I won’t likely get an infection.” Eventually you can replace the less negative thought with something even more positive. For example, they would first practice looking at pictures of cats, then watching videos and movies with cats, touching cat-like material, playing with a toy cat, and finally holding the real thing. We’ll even pay your shipping. Reading about cats might also help you with overcoming your fear. Cat Anxiety Medicine. You are slowly increasing your exposure by starting with a picture of one cat and moving to pictures of multiple cats. Ask them consistently, but not constantly, as this will probably annoy them and maybe give them a more negative view towards the idea of a cat. It’s very unlikely you will go through your entire life avoiding everyone who owns a cat. A toddler who was scratched by a cat may grow into an adult with a subconscious memory of a huge, hissing beast that wants to hurt them. Last Updated: October 7, 2020 I’ve been scratched before and it’s not so bad. If it does slip past, and you are very uncomfortable with cats, then you may want to call a friend or family member to remove it. If you do not have a friend who has cats, an alternative would be going to a local pet store or to places that have adoptable cats. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri in 2014. Sometimes an anti-anxiety medication may help. Since you want to end with success, try moving back to the last step that did not cause you anxiety. What can I do? For example, you could replace the thought “If the cat scratches me, I will get an infection and die” with the less negative statement, “The worst thing that could happen is that the cat scratches me and runs away. See if you can trace it back to a specific event or time. A See what's different about our line of health food products. Now I am very afraid to be around him. Listen to the cat noises. A therapist can be helpful at helping you develop a plan to get over your fear. Try PrettyLitter today and save 15% on your entire order with promo code "PrettyBlog"! Hypnotherapy and exposure therapy may be options, and with help, most people are able to overcome their fear of cats. Do Things That Scare You. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: @prettylittercats. Download cat pictures and Find cute cat Stock Images in HD images royalty-free stock photos, Meme, Cartoon illustrations, and … Encouraging timid cats to break their cycle of fear takes time. Pretend that the cat does not exist. Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm PT, The Best Plants That Are Safe for Cats to Eat, Try These Solutions to Common Cat Problems Affecting Your Kitty. Make sure to select a friend who has a friendly cat. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. However, many people report an extreme and even irrational fear of the feline. There is no way to overcome a fear immediately. my brother just got a new cat and while he seems confident me and the cat both are scared of each other.kitty doesnt come to me and i get scared to pick it up i can stroke it but coming close scares me can any one help me to make a bond with kitty and overcome my fear ? and figure out how to alleviate a cat's … Watching videos is a great way to prepare you for the transition from looking at pictures of cats to making actual physical contact. You could also consider starting with making contacts with kittens and moving up to adult cats. What should I do if I had a cat that was mean and it ruined my relationship with all other cats? Although dogs like this, cats feel vulnerable and may not respond well to this gesture. This treatment is similar to acupuncture without a needle. People can overcome a fear of cats by slowly exposing themselves to the creatures. Identify. They’re effective tools to reduce your fear. When physically threatened, fear opens our eyes wider, pumps more blood through our bodies and gives us a shot of adrenaline to help us either fight a foe, or run away as fast as we can. If he persists in scratching you, stop interacting with him after the scratch and leave him alone. Thousands of others face what you are facing every single day. Fear of cats can be particularly exhausting because so many friends and family members have cats in their lives. This can help quicken the desensitization process. Thanks. I'M not scared of cats, my friend is. When you reach one or two on the scale then you can move to making physical contact. Continue to monitor your anxiety scale. You are not alone in this ailurophobia, galeophobia or gatophobia battle. A scared cat is capable of inflicting a great deal of damage. Exposure therapy. Hypnotherapy means visiting a trained hypnotherapist who will most likely use imagination exercises or guided meditation to induce a calm and relaxed state. This article has been viewed 100,233 times. It means gradually desensitizing yourself to the presence of cats. Thanks! As I read it, I thought it did, "It helped me understand more about cats. The cat should belong to a trusted friend or organization who knows the cat well and can attest that he is healthy and friendly. Best Cat Cute Pictures, Meme, Cartoon, Images. 10-15 minutes seems to be a reasonable amount of time to participate in this daily activity. This article was co-authored by Tasha Rube, LMSW. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Remember, your goal should be to get to a one or two on the scale. For a limited time only, get 20% off your first PrettyLitter order. Create a schedule and stick to it. This will help avoid any unexpected situations that may cause a setback. Tasha is affiliated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Learn about topics such as How to Overcome a Fear of Dogs, How to Stop Being Afraid of Cats, How to Overcome a Fear of Rats, and more with our helpful step-by-step instructions with photos and videos. FEAR OF CATS: (ailurophobia, elurophobia, felinophobia, galeophobia, gatophobia, and fear of cats) 1: fear of cats: a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of cats, despite conscious understanding by the phobic individual and reassurance by others that there is no danger.2: fear of cats: an extreme unwarranted fear and/or physical aversion to cats. Let's look at why this might be important, and how you might go about beating ailurophobia: the fear of cats. If a person treated you badly, would you avoid all people forever? ", "I liked the part where it said replace the negative thoughts with positive ones.". This will only reinforce the scared behavior. 5  With small steps, a person can become accustomed to cats. In the following, we will look at some possible reasons for the emergence of such a condition. Eventually you’ll begin to think more positively about cats. 30-Day Risk Free Guarantee. Therefore, it’s important to start with something that you can handle. Also, prove you are responsible enough to look after a cat by doing things like looking after others' cats or helping with cat-related tasks whenever you can. Avoid petting cats on their belly. Be sure to always note where you are on the anxiety scale. Hypnotherapy and NLP can be very effective in helping you to overcome your Fear Of Cats - one good source of experienced hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners is Just Be Well. Meet our new product. I've always liked cats, but I'm scared that they might scratch or bite. Start playing with quiet cats, caressing them. Why do some people fear cats and how can they be overcome? Just like people, not all cats are the same. For example, a child who has been scratched once can hold onto that anxiety, and therefore develop a phobia or fear. Never forget: you are the stronger side! However, this instinct can develop into a less rational phobia, where your cat fears something that you know is safe. fear. For more tips from our co-author, including how to reframe negative thoughts about cats, read on. One common therapy is gradual exposure to cats. Have you ever been afraid of our furry felines? When this happens, the fear loses its power. What is cat fear , why and how to overcome ailurfobia, all the answers in this article. Fortunately, methods of overcoming the fear of cats , overcoming them and having a friendly relationship with cats are also available. How to Overcome Your Fear of Cats Watching You Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. And it worked. Like any other phobia, the fear of cats cannot be solved without first discovering the root of the fear. Another method used to overcome the fear of cats is energy psychology treatment. And some people are unfortunate enough to suffer from a fear of cats or - slightly more unusual - a fear of cats watching them. Redeem Now! Use code NEW for 15% off. This can be nerve-wracking when you start, but the more you expose yourself to cats, the more your fear will fade. Whatever the cause of cat fear, it’s important to talk about it, be open and remember you are not alone! Let’s answer the question, What are cats scared of? Or did something happen to the sufferer as a child which has impacted their whole life? A cat that has a fear of unfamiliar people, for example, should not be exposed to new houseguests. This treatment is similar to acupuncture without a needle. Get specific about what exactly you’re afraid of. If your cat anxiety is severe, you may want to start with smaller increments of time and build your way up to the ten to fifteen minutes per visit. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 If your fear is not very severe, it may take only a few weeks, but never pressure yourself when trying to face a fear. For example, you may think “This cat is going to scratch me” even though you’ve never had any interaction with that cat before. After reading this article, I had the, "Good detailed steps to conquer fear of cats. When a cat meows, it usually means it wants food, water, or attention. Learn more about how and why we started our company. 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