Cat Phobia

There are plenty of people who do not like household pets, but then why should they?

The fact that I like cats and dogs has never blinded me to the fact that others may not. Some have allergies, some phobias, some have good reason to be afraid of one or other species after having been bitten or chased.

As a responsible cat owner, I ask people when I invite them for the first time if they are all right with cats.

If they are allergic, I suggest we meet somewhere other than in my home. If they are not allergic, but afraid of cats, or dislike them, I make sure before they come that the cats are either shut in my bedroom, or shut out in the garden.

However found I am of animals, I do not have the right to expect other people to want to be in the same room as mine.

If OP found her phobia troublesome she could seek professional advice, but it is neither my place, nor anyone else's business to suggest that to her.

Hypnotherapy is very good for phobias. I am a hypnotherapist and have had lots of success. Fallingstar you will not have to hold a spider unless you want to!

My mother in law was frightened of cats, I've no idea why. She didn't like even being in a room with our moggies, but they seemed to sense this and always headed straight for her. We used to have to make sure they were shut out of any rooms she went into,

That reference to Cyprus, there is a substantial Cat rescue centre, near Akrotiri, (you can visit if you're there, but you'll get covered in cats craving a fuss!). If you visit Turkey, masses of cats, as they are well taken care of, even strays.

Cats - as the owners on here will know -- are incredibly nosey, so even if you try and ignore them, you might get some attention. They can also usually sense if people are frightened of them - like dogs I gather -- which of course makes things worse.

So, if you're phobic/wary/frightened/nervous, just remember that TO THEM, you are a huge and potentially threatening human, so their initial response is likely to be based on that? We knew a chap who did deliveries, he said every third house on avg seems to have a dog, comes bounding up to the door, often barking, either happy to see someone, or possibly putting on a show for their owner. He had been wary of dogs, after nipped when younger, so had to train himself to be confident, 'in control' ("Hello dog, good dog") so they know you're not a threat. He DID say that little yappy dogs are far worse than the big ones that folk are often wary of!

Sadly, many cats are above all that, see people as a source of food, a fuss, or sometimes a game, and may or not respond to any moves you make. Also, a subset of cats are quite timid, will look to escape from you, even if they know their owner has visitors. You could, if you have problems, invest in a packet of Dreamies (other treats are available), so if you're in that unfortunate situation, trapped in the vicinity of someone and their cat, just rattle the packet amd you should find you have a small furry and compliant companion, if not a new friend. That's unless they're even more frightened than you, in which case enjoy that feeling of power/superiority?

Oh, PS, as some have said, lots of therapy available, you can do a course to alleviate fears of cats, dogs, spiders, snakes, whatever. I trained myself to be OK with spiders, and now trap them and put them outside, though the big black ones that look to have about 25 legs, and move like a guided missile are still a bit of a struggle. And I overcame a fear of snakes, joined in a session at a zoo, a group of at least 6 were invited to help hold a massive boa (? - I think) and it turned out not to be all horrible and slimy at all, just warm and almost cuddly (!). Sadly I still have an extreme phobia of Piers Morgan on TV, and the slightest sound of The Hollies on the radio (I think for them it was some odd incident in my youth?).

Nannan2

I'd say cats are crafty, but not sly.🙀😿

Yes, I used the word sly as meaning cunning, always getting one over me!

The only way to overcome any phobia is to face up to it in one way or another, whether that is through gradual exposure to it or some kind of therapy. And yes, I've been there with a fear of spiders, but was determined not to pass it on to my daughter, so I did something about it.

Thank you Sparklefizz

Asmathic here so cat allergy sorts my issues with cats. We had one growing up but I never liked it and hated having to feed him his 'Spot' dogfood.

I would never harm a cat, but I really don’t like them and yet if we visit family or friends who have cats guess whose lap is chosen to sit on? My DH actually likes them, but no, they make a bee line for MY lap.

I have a dislike of furry or hairy creatures, in fact I’m also none too keen on feathers. I like most people tho.

I love cats. And snakes. And spiders. I've never met a nasty, manipulative animal, but I've met nasty , manipulative people alright. It is a bit worrying saying you can't even be nice to a cat. I don't think you are a very nice person at all.

Labradora

Don't go to Cyprus !!! We've just come back and the cats are everywhere. The "Cats of Cyprus" are " a thing" as they say these days.
I'm a bit allergic so I can't keep them but they're beautiful and independent creatures and I do like them.
Phobias are funny things. Forty years ago I worked with a lovely girl who had a phobia of pigeons , particularly the " ones with the big fact necks".
She did see a psychotherapist about it and I think things improved a little.
Myself I have only the usual phobias viz spiders and some other creepy-crawlies.
Final word re cats , with all the perversity for which they are justly famous they head for my lap like heat -seeking missiles , ignoring other devoted fans who are not allergic to them.
I manage my visits to people with cats. Clearly it's my problem , not theirs. And certainly not the cats.

Turkey as well I gather - though I don't actually particularly remember noticing them when on holiday there myself.

I think it looks like a bit of a Middle Eastern thing to like cats and hate dogs from what I can make out - ie one of the things that matches me....as I rather like (most) cats and don't want dogs anywhere near me or within earshot. So best avoid the Middle Eastern countries then maybe as a whole.

To me - I tend to regard many cats as mischievous little things that live in hopes of catching any birds anywhere near them. It's quite cute if they've taken to you - and the horrible lower neighbours I had had two cats that would even sometimes sit and wait for me like a guard of honour if they saw me coming back... prior to one of them had got the idea I'd bought a little comb for her and figured out just how to ask me to comb her (ie they were both long-haired).

So maybe if you regard them as mischievous funny little things - as long as they're not ones that do messing in your garden. I rather miss the combing-lover one and the way I could find she was there just wending her way round my ankles unexpectedly when I was in my garden and asking for a bit of attention.

Grandma70s

I am unreasonably scared of wasps, but it’s not an irrational phobia. I’m scared of being stung.

Same here, I hate the little bu......s.

I don't especially like other people's cats, but I loved our own when we had him.

He was very fond of DH and would jump up on him and go to sleep on his chest.

I ve never had a phobia about cats, dogs, spiders, snakes or anything really, I ve come to the conclusion I m a very boring person with a personality that neither goes up or down about much in that way. I m scared of big heights but that rational
I do remember a boss having to sit down when I inadvertently showed him a photo of me with a large snake in my arms I didn’t know he had a phobia!!
I only dislike cats if they poo in my garden but that’s rational, otherwise I rather admire them. snakes and rats are intelligent creatures I used to keep a snake or two when I was younger and I had a grandaughter who had a big one for years.
Have had a few cats over the years,
I think if you have a phobia over anything it’s helpful to have some desensitising treatment
When my grandkids were little and were scared of spiders I gave them all names and wove little stories around them I remember the one that was in the downstairs loo a long time hanging around was Margaret and she was resting after a long journey to get back to her children 🤣🤣🤣