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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 avoidant 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.
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 avoidant 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. However, with the wrong approach and enough perseverance, any fear-related problem can [[Feline Aggression Towards People|progress to aggression]]. Since aggressive attacks by cats can cause serious injuries, once aggress is seen the whole style of treatment must change and some cat owners will be reluctant to proceed at all, so it is vital that the cat is not unintentionally provoked.
Fear of people is more 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 significant challenge and may be unsuitable as domestic pets. 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 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 is more 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 significant challenge and may be unsuitable as domestic pets. 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 as the full extent of the range of human-related stimuli they react to (clothing, size, vocal tone) becomes apparent over time.
Fear may be confined to specific situations, such as handling or when approached, touched or picked up, with cats being relatively relaxed around people at other times. The main barrier to treating these kinds of problems is that it is often difficult to persuade owners to adopt a respectful and systematic approach; many owners will continue to try to handle and pick up frightened cats, which increases their intolerance and mistrust of people.
Fear may be confined to specific situations, such as handling or when approached, touched or picked up, with cats being relatively relaxed around people at other times. The main barrier to treating these kinds of problems is that it is often difficult to persuade owners to adopt a respectful and systematic approach; many owners will continue to try to handle and pick up frightened cats, which increases their intolerance and mistrust of people.
==Prevention==
==Prevention==