How to help a scared cat grow in confidence

All cats are individuals – some can be confident and outgoing, while others are a little more cautious.  

If you’re dealing with an overly nervous cat and you’d like to help them grow in confidence, identifying what’s making them scared is a crucial first step. For instance, if your cat is perpetually scared in a consistent home environment, it’s important to consider if that environment is appropriate for the individual.  

Use our expert advice below to help your scared cat become less timid. 

All cats are different, so what scares one might not bother another. However, things that commonly make a cat scared include: 

• New experiences (such as moving house) 
• Changes in routine 
• Other cats and dogs  
• Meeting new people 
• Loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms 
• Having to leave their home to travel or go to the vet   

Scared or timid cat behaviour can show up in a variety of ways, with some more obvious than others. Look out for: 

• Freezing in one place 
• Running away 
• Hiding 
• Retreating or cowering from a person, animal or situation 
• Dilated pupils 
• Flattened ears 
• Rapidly moving ears as they listen for sounds 
• Excessive vocalisations 
• A straight, swishing or thumping tail ( a happy cat sometimes shows movement in their tail, but it’s often a soft wiggle at the tip rather than fast flicking) 

Speak to your vet if your cat suddenly starts showing signs of fear, anxiety or stress, as this could be due to an underlying medical condition.  

Once the vet has ruled out medical problems, they might sign-post you to a suitably qualified behaviourist as well as providing specific advice on cat anxiety treatment. 

You might notice other cats roaming or socialising with unknown people and wonder, ‘why is my cat so timid’? 

Just like humans, every cat is unique and their behaviour is influenced by a range of factors – both nature ( genetics) and nurture play a part.  

A scared cat might be influenced by their start in life. For example, a cat that has experienced trauma or did not have a full socialisation programme as a kitten is more likely to be nervous in later life. 

With the right environment and support for the individual, your timid cat can become more confident. 

Ultimately, the aim is to get a timid cat to trust you. Once you’ve worked out the cause of your cat’s fear, use the tips below to help them build their confidence. 

Make sure your cat always has places to hide when they need time out. Some cats love to be up high, while others prefer a covered cat bed or going under furniture. Give your cat lots of options, so they’ve always got somewhere to retreat to if they’re feeling scared or anxious.  

If you have a new cat that’s particularly timid or scared, set aside one or two designated rooms for them to explore. Once they’re feeling more confident, you can gradually open up the rest of the house. Before letting a new cat outside, make sure they’re vaccinated and microchipped.  

If your cat doesn’t like meeting new people, don’t expect them to interact with visitors. How to get a timid cat to come to you or visitors eventually isn’t about forcing anything but allowing them to stay in control.  

Make sure your cat always has the option to remove themselves from a specific situation, and if they’re showing signs of stress or fear, give them the time and space they need to retreat.  

Don’t expect your cat’s behaviour to change overnight. Some cats will quickly become more confident, while for others the process can take a lot longer. Keep rewarding your cat for the behaviour you’re looking to encourage – for example, sitting calmly on the sofa when someone comes to visit, or getting in the cat carrier for a trip to the vet. 

Spending time bonding with your cat can also help your cat feel more comfortable and confident with new experiences.  

Desensitisation techniques can also help nervous cats to come out of their shells. 

Desensitisation is the controlled process of gradually exposing a scared cat to the trigger over a period of time and giving praise and rewards before moving to the next level of exposure. 

Example 1: Cat carriers 

• Place the open carrier in a quiet place in the house 
• Put a blanket with your cat’s scent in the carrier and place some treats in and around it 
• As your cat starts to explore, offer them verbal praise and more treats 
• Once your cat is comfortable, close the door for a second 
• Repeat this process until your cat is comfortable inside the carrier with the door closed 
• Slowly lift the carrier and gradually extend the amount of time your cat is inside 

Example 2: Vacuums 

• Place the turned-off vacuum on the other side of the room 
• When your cat looks at or ventures near it, offer praise or a treat  
• Play a soundtrack with vacuum sounds created especially for cats (you can find these online or ask your vet), offering lots of praise and a reward afterwards 
• Turn the hoover on for a couple of seconds in another room, before turning it off and offering a high-value treat
• Slowly move the vacuum closer to your cat, or leave it on for longer periods, over a period of days – always offering your cat praise and a treat when they remain calm 

Desensitisation can also be used when introducing a scared  cat to a dog, other pets, or new people. Similarly, you can also use desensitisation to get your cat used to having their paws touched, for nail-clipping purposes. 

Desensitisation processes with animals are best carried out with advice and guidance from a vet and/or qualified behavioural specialist to avoid unintentionally making things worse. 

If you have cat insurance with Petplan, you can ask a qualified professional any behavioural questions you have via our Pet Expert Chat feature. Just log into your My Petplan account to get started.

If you’re finding traditional behavioural techniques aren’t working for your nervous cat, medical cat anxiety treatment might be the best course of action. 

Speak to your vet, who will be able to advise on a suitable treatment plan. There are various medications available, but this will depend on your cat’s symptoms. 

Never use any human anti-anxiety medication on your cat as this can be very dangerous for them.  

If your cat is distressed, you can help by: 

• Making their environment more calming, by dimming the lights and lowering any volume in the room 
• Giving them space and allowing them to leave their environment 
• Staying calm, ensuring you never lose your temper or force your cat to interact when they're not ready 

Many cats experience seasonal stress during Christmas and Easter due to: 

• A change in routine 
• Disruption to their environment (such as furniture being moved or the addition of a large, imposing object, e.g. a Christmas tree) 
• Several new and unfamiliar people in their home 

You can reduce this stress by: 

• Keeping to as normal a routine as possible 
• Briefing visitors in advance and preventing them from trying to play with your cat 
• Creating a den or safe haven for your cat away from the chaos, with a bed, litter tray and food present

How to deal with a scared or timid cat often comes down to empathy – it’s vital to empathise with a nervous cat and to work on removing their stress. 

Gradually, as your cat builds their confidence, you will see positive changes in their behaviour – and with the right support and techniques, it will only be a matter of time.