Medusa, so named because she had been snake bitten when adopted into our household, is a “fraidy cat.” From the beginning, her behavior was quite different from most other cats, and the family was sure that this was because of the trauma she had experienced. She seemed to feel more comfortable when left to her own company. Her favorite daytime hideout was under the bed.

Medusa was always skittish and jumped at any loud or unusual noise. Strangers were particularly obnoxious to her, but even family considered it a treat if Medusa allowed herself to be petted or, in rare instances jumped into a lap. One wrong twitch, and she was off again. This solitary behavior became routine, but Medusa often showed other signs of fear. She would freeze in place when a family member walked through the room. She refused all efforts at grooming, and picking her up was a mistake of tragic proportions.

Our family knew the trigger for Medusa’s behavior, but sometimes a cat owner does not. The cat’s fear may be related to a weather event, a run in with another animal, a bad experience with another person, or a child’s rough handling, to name just a few.

When an owner recognizes that his cat has a high level of anxiety, he might first consult a veterinarian. Some fear is related to health situations, and the vet can eliminate these as a cause of the cat’s behavior. If the cat receives a clean bill of health, she needs time for her wounded spirit to heal. The best course of action is to leave her to her own devices. Establish a safe routine, provide good nourishment, plenty of time for exercise, and as much peace as possible.

The most important factor in this equation is to make sure that the cat is not punished for not being sociable. She will begin to associate the owner with this hurtful behavior, and her fears will increase. By trying to force her out of her comfort zone too soon, an owner can magnify the problem.