How to Calm a Cat that is Afraid of Guests and Strangers

Most pet owner's are surprised when their dog or cat does not respond well if someone they don't know has come into their home and the animal is either scared or aggressive. But there are things you can do to prevent this behavior and make it a better situation the next time.

I have heard people ask cat owners why they chose to have cats when all cats do is go hide in a closet or under a bed all the time. It is funny to hear that sentiment as a cat owner who has had very active cats but it got me to thinking; this is the experience this person had their whole lives with other people's cats because the owners of the cats had accepted that this is what cats do when company comes. Cat's can be a one owner pet and they can take a while to warm up to someone else they don't know; but with their owners they are usually quite affectionate.

There are ways to train your cats to be more social when company is in your home and you can enlist the help of your visitors for experience if need be. Some of the problem comes from the visitors not knowing how cats operate. If you jump up and down and throw things across a room for a dog; the dog is thrilled for the chase and the new friendship. If you do the same behavior with a cat; he or she will run and hide and peg you as a nutcase that can't behave. So, if you really do want your cat to enjoy your guests just tell them to go slow while the cat is getting to know them by smell and feel.

If the person really likes cats; have them sit down near where the cat is; so that they are on the same level of the cat. In this way the cat can come up to the person and the cat can already smell them to get a better idea of who this is. If someone is standing up and making quick movements to grab the cat or chase it to pet it or pick it up, of course the cat is going to see this as a threat. Also, you know how you don't like anyone to pick you up and surprise you by throwing you up and carrying you all over your house (well, you know how you wouldn't like it). So the same goes for cats; don't let anyone (especially someone the cat does not know very well) pick it and try to make friends that way. This is another reason you should always monitor small children and cats; you may know fluffy means no harm and neither does the child; but both can mistakenly come on too aggressive at times.