What to Do When Your Dog is Afraid of Cats

You should introduce your dog to cats slowly if he is scared of them. In severe cases, an animal psychologist or dog trainer can help to remove your pet’s fear. Here you can find out more information about this topic.

When your dog spots a cat does he shrink down, try to hide, or calm himself with appeasement signs? He may then be afraid of velvet paws. What causes this fear and how can we help our animal friend?

What causes a dog to be afraid of cats

There are several factors that may be at play when dogs fear cats. Animals are afraid of the unknown, just like humans. If your dog is unfamiliar with cats, and then encounters one in a home, he might react with fear. In particular, dogs that are not socialized properly and who have been raised in a low-stimulus environment, or have been in a quiet home, can develop anxiety disorders because they have so many new things to learn. Anxiety can be caused by the personality of the dog – some dogs are more cautious and shy than others.

It is possible that your dog was frightened of cats because of a bad experience. He may have been bitten by a claw when he approached a velvet foot too quickly. False associations are another possible cause, but it is hard to understand by outsiders. Other creatures (including dogs) may also associate unpleasant or painful experiences with things that have nothing to do with them.

Your dog may have accidentally hit an electric fence when curiously approaching a wild cat in the meadow. The dog then associates pain with the animal and is frightened. It is a matter of genetic disposition, personal experience, socialization and education whether it develops out of a single fright, or if it persists.

What you can do to help your scared dog

The so-called systematized desensitization can help if your dog is scared of cats. You first try to keep your dog away from the fear stimulus, in this case cats. It allows him to relax and prepare for next steps. It is best to proceed slowly and in small steps, taking notes about how your dog develops, what you have taught him, and his behavior. You can, for example, show him only pictures and videos of cats at first and then play the meowing from the pets in the house. Then, you can introduce him to real cats and amiable velvet paws that are in your circle.

You can also play his favorite game with him to make sure he understands that there is nothing wrong when the strange animals are near him. You can play with your dog his favorite game so he understands that there is nothing to worry about when strange animals come near him. While you are doing this, make sure your dog is well-cared for, preferably on a leash. This will help to assure his security that all is well. The animals can then carefully sniff each another if he seems relaxed and does not seem anxious or nervous when he sees pets. If you have patience and some luck, one day even peaceful physical contact may be possible.

Fear and cats: When does a dog need professional help?

Theoretically, systemic desensitization sounds simple. However, it is not possible to implement. It is sometimes necessary to help dogs get over their fears as quickly as possible. For example, if they are afraid of cats, it’s hard for them to avoid. If you are unsure whether you can help a dog on your own, consult a professional. You can get help from an animal psychologist or a dog trainer who is specially trained to treat anxiety disorders.