Agoraphobic cat??

[erin-x]

i have a 6 year old cat that is scared to go outside and wont even come downsatirs if there are people in. is there any way i could help her get over her fears???

[GypsyGSD]

If this is of any help one if my cats moved herself upstairs nearly nine years ago,she never goes out and on rare occasions comes down stairs, we tried all ways to encourage her back down e.g. only putting her food downstairs but she was never happy so we let her be hoping she would come down on her own she never has, we spend time with here daily , and she is really not bothered about the outside world .on saying that we took her to the vets a while ago and she was quite content being there no panic just laid back. more than my other cats who do go outside. her brother goes upstairs on occasions but again shes not bothered by him also the dogs come up in bedrooms not that often again she could not care less one very laid back cat so we have given up and just let her stay there shes happy

[SCHUMI]

my cat gobbilino was given to me for that excact reason.she was terrified of everything.i lived in a poky wee flat at the tme and i moved back to the countryside shortly after getting her.she sat at the window for a couple of days staring at the fields and space.i opened the window and strolled outside.i swear she smiled.it built up her confidence and now she is a devil to staying in when it is nice so she can survey her kingdom.i let her do it herself and in her own tme sometimes they just decide to be house cats i wouldn't worry too much and at least you don't have the worry of her getting run over or lost.

[bubbly girly]

Try getting her favorite food and putting it at the bottom of the stairs. Or pick her up and take her down there .

[annavc]

I wouldn't worry too much. My cat Sam was agrophobic when I rehomed him from Battersea last year. Opening the door into the garden sent him under the nearest bed. Gradually though curiosity got the better of him and he started to venture out very slowly one paw at a time but only when I was out there. I didn't force him, just let him go at his own pace which was slow - it took him about a month to get beyond the doorstep!

Now he loves going into the garden but he only stays out there as long as I'm either out there too or he can see me in the kitchen. If I go out of sight he soon comes looking for me.

Just let her go at her own pace. If she wants to go out she will. If she doesn't she won't. Either way she will be doing what she wants to do and will be happy and that's the most important thing.

[Roidy203]

I got Daisy just over a year ago. She's a beautiful longhair tabby. She's extremely nervous and shy. She spent her first two weeks under the kitchen units (don't know how she fit in!). Now she's more settled and I can just about pick her up (but can feel her tense up as I do). She will go out but only in the garden while I'm around, but that suits me fine as I don't need to worry about her getting taken or run over. Just wish jasper my other cat I've had for 6 years would stop eating all her dinner! My only advice (like the others) if she's happy staying upstairs and not going out leave her to it - cats, like people are all different and have their own personalilites - that's what makes them so great! x