Cats are a popular pet that lots of people enjoy, so it’s tough to believe that there are individuals that live with Ailurophobia, or the fear of cats. Whether it was an experience as a young child or something that has progressively developed over time, the fear of cats is frequently traced to several contributing causes. The first is the concern for one’s own safety, which could be easy to understand if you had been harmed by a cat at some stage in your life. The second comes from the ancient and irrational fear of cats instilled by some cultures. Certainly some concern may be prudent but how do people who have a true cat phobia permit it to govern their lives? Let’s consider the basics of the fear of cats to look at it a bit more deeply.

Actual Condition or Simple Dislike?

The initial reaction that most people think about ailurophobia is that it’s just a dislike of cats, but nothing could be further from the truth. Folks that have problems with this disorder have cultivated this fear to the level that they can’t withstand the physical presence of a cat anyplace near them and will do everything in their power to stay away from cats. Many suffer from real physical symptoms of the fear. Sweating, hyperventilation, racing heartbeat and an agitated mental state are just a few symptoms that an ailurophobic person can endure. Due to this fact, individuals with this condition often impulsively ask friends and acquaintances about the presence of a cat in their home before agreeing to visit them. Taking all this into consideration, it’s clear that a cat phobia is a lot more than a simple dislike.

Sources of a Cat Fear

With a condition that can have such a dramatic affect on one’s life, it’s logical to wonder what could cause such a cat phobia. Actually, many ailurophobes can’t determine what it is that they fear about cats; they just report that it is a fear that they’ve managed since their younger years. Typically, most cat phobias can be tracked to a disturbing experience in a person’s formative years. It’s thought that toddlers are especially susceptible to developing a cat phobia because they are investigating their environments, are frequently heavy-handed and their brains are developed enough to retain undesirable associations that may occur due to a distressing experience. So soon after being scratched or bitten, they can develop a perception that cats will attack without provocation that grows over time.

Who’re Most Prone To Be Phobic?

Ailurophobia can impact anyone and it can occur in those who have both been around cats at some point in their lives, in addition to those who have never experienced close personal contact. Although there’s no evidence that this fear can be handed down via genetics, it makes sense that parents who have ailurophobia may pass this disorder down to their kids based just on their behavior. Strangely enough, several historical figures that supposedly endured ailurophobia include Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar and Adolf Hitler.

Treating A Fear of Cats

Treating phobias in general can be a difficult process, and curing a phobia of cats is no different. The first crucial step in treatment is for the individual to recognize that it is a problem and want to overcome their dread. The next logical step is to seek the guidance of a professional to assist and support them. A doctor will be able to determine the severity of the phobia and then establish the therapy that’s that appears to be successful. This normally starts with slowly exposing the patient to photos and videos of cats to desensitize them. Ultimately the procedure would involve growing exposure to cats while giving the patient strategies to combat the symptoms of their phobia.

Although a cat fear can be inconvenient or bothersome to a person’s life, it can be conquered in many cases with the right treatment.

About the Author

Angela Schmidt carries a cat insurance policy to protect her cats and recommends pet insurance as a way to make sure their cats have a happy, healthy life.

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