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My cat is scared of everyone and keeps me awake. Feliway didn't work.

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 2 years and 2 months old | 2.4 lbs

My cat is 2 years old and incredibly shy. She is scared of everyone and keeps me awake at night. I've tried using Feliway to calm her but it didn't work. Do you have any advice for incredibly scared/shy cats?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on May 1st, 2017

Poor Filbert! Some cats are very anxious and fearful by nature, unfortunately - she may never be very comfortable around people, but there are a few things you can do to help her. First, I would make sure that she has a "safe place" that she can always go to with her food and water bowls, litter box, and a scratching post or cat tree - often, a spare bedroom or basement works well for this, if you have one. This way, if you have visitors in the house or she becomes frightened for any reason, she can always go to her safe room and stay there as long as she wants to, without needing to venture out to eat or use the bathroom. I would also suggest talking with your veterinarian about her anxiety - many cats can benefit from prescription medication to help make them less afraid of things. You could also try a natural calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure in the meantime, if you wish - these can be ordered without a prescription, and are helpful for some anxious kitties.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on May 10th, 2017

    Poor Angel! I'm sorry to hear that she is so anxious. Some cats are naturally shy and fearful - this can be due to genetics, a lack of early socialization as a kitten, or having negative experiences when she was younger. You can try using Feliway pheromone diffusers around your home to help reduce her anxiety and make her feel more comfortable. A natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure may also be helpful. If these things aren't enough, you could also talk with your veterinarian about whether she might be a good candidate for prescription medication - this can be extremely helpful for some anxious cats who have trouble coping with everyday life because of their fear.

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