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Caring For A Scaredy Cat

January 15, 2023
Is your kitty on the timid side? Our feline friends all have their own purrsonalities: while some are bold and fearless (perhaps a bit too fearless), others are quite timid and shy. If your pet falls into that latter category, read on! A Westside Animal Hospital, a Savannah, GA vet offers some advice on caring for a timid furball in this article.

Toys/Playtime

A good workout can go a long way towards helping your anxious pet feel more at ease. Exercise will burn off your kitty’s nervous energy, and can also stimulate the release of feel-good endorphins. Offer Fluffy plenty of fun toys, and take time to play with her every day.

Safe Spaces

Our feline pals are very small, so it doesn’t take much for them to start to feel frightened or intimidated. One thing that can help is making sure Fluffy has a safe space to retreat to in every room. This can be a kitty condo, a cat tower, a pet tent, or just a spot beneath a bed or behind a couch.

Build Trust

Some of our furry friends are just naturally timid. However, in some cases, they will act cautious because they don’t feel safe in a new environment yet. If you’ve only recently adopted Fluffy, you may just need to give her some time. You’ll need to build your feline friend’s trust slowly for her to feel safe. Treats, toys, playtime, catnip, and even just talking to your kitty will all help.

What Not To Do

There are also some definite don’ts to follow. Never try to pet or hold Fluffy against her will. Forcing attention on a cat is a huge faux pas!

Resources

Do you have other pets? That may be a factor. Make sure there are enough resources to go around! You’ll also want to make sure your feline buddy isn’t being bullied.

Exams

Has it been a while since your furry buddy has been to the vet? Has Fluffy only recently started acting anxious, and for no obvious reason you can see? There’s a chance that your kitty may be acting up due to a medical issue. Have your vet examine her, just in case.  Here at Westside Animal Hospital, your local Savannah, GA animal clinic, we are dedicated to offering great care. Please  contact us for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs.
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