Since you adopted your cat, you have had a hard time bonding with him? Or, on the contrary, your cat has suddenly changed its behavior and is now trying to avoid you in every way possible? What if it's because he's afraid of you? If this is the case, it is better to readjust your way of being immediately in order to reassure your hairball and avoid damaging your relationship for good!
If your cat shows one or more of the signs below, try to be more gentle and considerate with him. For example, never scold him or make any sudden movements in his presence. And above all, don't force him to be touched, let him come to you, even if it takes time. The goal is to gradually gain his trust.
1. He runs away from your approach
If your cat runs away as soon as you approach him, this is not a good sign. This indicates that he's afraid of you, or at least of what you might do. For example, he may be afraid of being held. And he knows that the only way to escape this ordeal is to run away.
2. Hiding
When you get home, do you always spend a good 10 minutes looking for your cat? This is not normal. If your cat was completely comfortable with you, she should be more likely to greet you at the door. If he's hiding, it's because he doesn't want to see you or is afraid of what you might do to him.
3. He pulls his ears back when you touch him
Every time you approach him, your feline will reach out and press his ears back against his head? He even sometimes has bristling hair and dilated pupils? Not only do you frighten him, but he may also attack you. The wisest thing to do is to turn back and leave him alone.
4. He vocalizes
If you're within a few feet of your cat and she starts growling, spitting or screeching, she's letting you know she'd rather you stay away. Don't try to figure it out and turn around. Your cat sees you as a threat, so it's important to show her that she has nothing to fear from you.
5. Rolls up in a ball
A scared cat tends to make itself as small as possible. More often than not, she'll curl up in a ball, wrapping her tail around her body to create a barrier between herself and what she sees as danger.
In any case, be aware that our feline friends prefer to avoid conflict. Thus, they emit many signals (body posture, vocalizations) to avoid confrontation. And it is when these signals are ignored that cats go on the attack. Indeed, fighting is not the first response to a fearful situation, it is a last resort.