It can be pretty heart-wrenching to watch when our pets are scared, and it’s only natural to want to help. You might be asking yourself why is my cat afraid of loud noises, and wondering how to help kitty through their fears. When it comes to noise phobias in cats, Cat Care of Vinings has some great resources.
Noise Phobias in Cats
From an evolutionary standpoint, it is pretty self explanatory why loud noises might be scary to a cat. Many loud sounds are signs of impending danger; it is only natural that they might make adrenaline skyrocket.
Cats also have very sensitive hearing. Noises that may not seem like a big deal to us can be terrifying to them. Sounds from thunderstorms, fireworks, nearby construction, or even your vacuum cleaner can be downright scary.Our feline friends are not always as obvious about their fear of loud noises as their canine counterparts, though. Signs of noise phobias might include things like:
HidingNot engaging in play as normalNot eating normallyRedirected aggression (scratching or biting someone or something that is not the cause of the fear-inducing stimulus)Self harm
Ways to Help My Cat Cope with Being Scared
If your cat is afraid of loud noises, there are certainly things that you can do as a pet owner to help your cat cope with being scared.
Consider:
Counterconditioning and desensitization—Getting your cat used to loud noises can take some work, but may be quite rewarding. Try playing recordings of scary sounds at low volume, then gradually intensify as tolerated. Pair calm behavior with treats and/or affection. Creating a safe space—Prepare a space in your home that utilizes calming synthetic cat pheromone plug ins or spray, white noise, and dim relaxing lighting so that kitty can retreat when they are overwhelmed. Using a calming supplement—Nutritional supplements like hydrolyzed milk proteins may help to instill a sense of calm, especially when started well ahead of the scary event. Trying a Thundershirt—Similar to the concept of a weighted blanket, something like a Thundershirt can help to wrap your cat in a soothing hug. Giving us a call—Some pets do need calming medications and/or behavioral therapy to overcome intense fears. Don’t wait to call us for help if your cat is having intense problems.
Loud sounds are scary, but don’t suffer in silence! It is natural for your cat to be timid around noises, but there are definitely ways to help them cope. Our team is here to help you through this common cat owner problem.
