Changes

* Do not handle, restrain or otherwise force the cat to remain in proximity to people who induce a fearful reaction.

* Do not handle, restrain or otherwise force the cat to remain in proximity to people who induce a fearful reaction.

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Fear of people is one of many possible aspects of fear in cats. For general discussion on feline fear please see [[Feline Fear Overview]]. Fear of people is considered separately from [[Feline Fear of Other Species Except Humans|fear of other species]] because the client’s expectations are different and the range of situations that the cat may be expected to tolerate are more demanding. The owner is also at greater risk if [[Feline Aggression Towards People|aggression]] results form mishandling. Clients always hope that the love they and other people radiate toward the cat will be reciprocated, so there is a need to educate the cat owner about the cat’s own needs and expectations of interaction with people. Owner appreciation of the cat’s perspective of the relationship always improves the prognosis.

For general discussion on feline fear please see [[Feline Fear Overview]]. The basis of pet ownership is the bond people feel with their pets. Clients expect that the positive feelings that they, and others, have for the pet will be reciprocated. So, fear related problems in cats are a source of distress for owners, who cannot understand why a cat is avoid ant of them and their visitors. Since the cat's primary means of coping with threat are avoidance and escape, [[Feline Aggression Towards People|aggression]] is less likely with cats than it would be with dogs.  

 

Fear of people can have a number of manifestations and underlying factors. Cats may have a general fear of all people, causing avoidance behaviour and potential aggressiveness if the cat is cornered. This is most likely in poorly [[Feline Socialisation|socialised cats]] or those that have been threatened or harmed by people in the past. Cats that are feral and have had no early rearing experience with people are a major challenge. The basic framework of positive associations with human contact is missing and has to be trained from scratch. This can be extremely time-consuming but rewarding. Cats that have a good early socialisation history but which have developed fear as a result of one or two aversive events may be easier to treat initially, but they often present a greater challenge later on as the full extent of the range of human-related stimuli they react to (clothing, size, vocal tone) becomes apparent over time.  

Fear of people can have a number of manifestations and underlying factors. Cats may have a general fear of all people, causing avoidance behaviour and potential aggressiveness if the cat is cornered. This is most likely in poorly [[Feline Socialisation|socialised cats]] or those that have been threatened or harmed by people in the past. Cats that are feral and have had no early rearing experience with people are a major challenge. The basic framework of positive associations with human contact is missing and has to be trained from scratch. This can be extremely time-consuming but rewarding. Cats that have a good early socialisation history but which have developed fear as a result of one or two aversive events may be easier to treat initially, but they often present a greater challenge later on as the full extent of the range of human-related stimuli they react to (clothing, size, vocal tone) becomes apparent over time.