Why are my Cats so Skittish and scared ?!?

[Christine (Blip)]

  to Purrs

Some cats are naturally more nervous than others but Feliway is definitely worth a try.  If you click through to stockist (and excellent company) VetUK from http://www.chesterfieldcats.co.uk/Chesterfield%20Cats%20Protection%20Homepage.htm Chesterfield Cats protection will get a donation at no extra cost to you.

I also recommend playing soft classical music: you will quickly notice which sorts your cats like best and it is calming for them

Otherwise infinite patience, gentle voices and no sudden movements from you...

A thought - after the tom had sprayed, what did you use to clean with?

[Tiggy's Mum]

Hi &  to Purrs

I'd second the recommendation for Feliway, you can get it as either a plug in like the air fresheners (don't worry it doesn't smell of cats!) or as a spray.  It basically gives of calming pheromones, here's some more info http://www.feliway.uk.com/

Also have a look at this thread about Bach's Rescue Remedy (available from Boots etc), http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php?topic=9929.0  I just tried it on my cat who had a terrible fright and was very skittish and nervous - no miracle cure but it definitely helped.

Sorry for all th elinks but here's one more for you! http://www.wizz-catz.co.uk/timidcat.html

[Dawn F]

one of mine is quite nervous, I think its the way he is made unfortunately, we just give him his space and he is slowly getting better but he's been with us two years so it does take time!

[clarenmax]

Hi there, and  to Purrs 

Sorry to hear your furbabes are nervous, I can't really offer much in the way of advice to be honest, but I'm sure some other peeps on here will have lots of great ideas for you.

The only suggestion I have is a Feliway plug-in which might help to calm them a little, you can get them from your vets, or through Vet UK.  I know there is a link where you click and some of the rescues on here benefit from your purchases too, I can't find the link at the mo as I'm at work, but I'm sure it will appear on here in a while 

What are your furries names, and can we see some piccies please .... need piccies on here we do 

[Bonker2020]

My cats are very skittish and jump at every noise in our house. We are a young couple who treat them well and don't keep 'grabbing' at them and petting them when they don't want, but they always seem so nervous and scarred around the house.

I got them when they were 8 weeks and they are just coming up to 1 year now. I wonder if it might be the environment as we moved into the house a few weeks before getting them as kittens and there was so much renovating going on that there were major changes to the house every week etc. I know that cats don't like change.  In addition, when they were about 6 months old, I installed a cat-flap and next-doors Tom came in and sprayed everywhere. I cleaned it and it hasn't happened since as they had the cat neuted, but wondered if that might contribute ?

Why are they so nervous and jumpy all the time and what could I do to reassure them so they don't run like mad at every little noise?  The poor things are living their lives in constant nervousness.