Do you meet people who are afraid of your cats ?

United States
February 12, 2010 5:20am CST
Yesterday, my heating system was being worked on and upgraded. So I had workers all over the house, removing registers, measuring etc. And I had put my 2 girls into their jumbo cat carrier to help keep them safe and to ensure they wouldn't get out during all the commotion. Well I was sitting on the couch right next to their carrier, trying to get some paperwork done and a worker comes to ask me something. Just then Cleo stuck her paw out of the cage to tap me. She was most upset with all the noise and confusion and wanted abit of comfort. Well this big 6 foot guy jumps back like there was a tiger in the room!! Her dainty little paw had this guy unnerved to the point that I almost laughed aloud. Then he told me he doesn't like cats, he's afraid of them and thinks they are evil... Well then...I'm offended and he's losing points fast.. Asked him why? Said cause his Mom told him that cats are unpredictable and might attack at any time. Okay..so this 200 pound man is terrified of a 6 pound cat that is in a cage? Yikes! Now a 120 pound dog I can understand but a tiny cat? Have you found some people are afraid of your cat like this?
4 people like this
26 responses
• United States
14 Feb 10
No I have never met anyone who has been afraid of my cats. I have met people who don't like cats but that is OK because have had cats who do not like certain people.
1 person likes this
@udayrao2 (781)
• India
12 Feb 10
yea, you are right. I am surprised that grown up adults who seem to be fearless otherwise get scared of small harmless cats or even kittens. I've had similar experience when I had some people over to carry on some re-wiring and the man there when he saw the kitten at home refused to enter and complete the work - finally I had to keep the cat at the neighbours till the work got over - which took almost a week. I don't know why this fuss- though I even offered to put the kitten in a separate room and close-even that would not work- ridiculous!!
• United States
12 Feb 10
I would have much preferred not to "cage" my girls but I expected that perhaps a worker might have the fear since I've seen it so many times or perhaps be allergic. If I'd had my choice, I would have put them in my bedroom and left them free but since I had workers milling about with little regard for closing doors I knew it would be better for all if I caged them. Once all the commotion started, they didn't really mind and I think they felt safer. I wonder why he was so frightened of a little kitten? I'm sure he didn't stop to think that it made him look abit silly. Because if it came down to it and the kitten attacked as viciously as it could, he'd still have very easily won the battle.
@udayrao2 (781)
• India
12 Feb 10
No it was not allergy or something like that- he just plainly did not like animals - I had asked him that too. The reason for the hate he did not know. A rare creature himself
• United States
12 Feb 10
I have only met 1 person before that didn't like pets at all. She thought all animals were dirty and shouldn't be in a person's house. Needless to say, she and I didn't see eye to eye on many things. To me, my pets help make my house a home! Thanks for sharing! Be Well!!
• United States
12 Feb 10
I don't think I've ever met anyone who's afraid of cats although I've met plenty of people who don't like them. I have to take that back, I think my grandma might have been slightly afraid of cats, the one I had as a kid made her a little nervous. She was one of those people who believed a cat would smother a baby in its crib. My brother had a cat that I became sort of afraid of, he became very hostile toward visitors after my nephew was born. He would growl and hiss at anyone who came near and they had to shut him in another room when we came over.
• United States
13 Feb 10
I wonder if he was feeling protective of the baby? My little cats love children and I think if I had a new baby in the house, they would be protective. They are protective of me! I had work done on the heating system and my sweet loving Delilah started growling and hissing at one of the workers. It's the first time I've ever heard her growl in over 3 years of owning her. I didn't like him either, he seemed kinda creepy, I wonder if that's what she was picking up on.. My brother's cat used to love to sleep with my nephew and would sleep in his crib but not too close to him. Once the baby got up, so did Bonky. But if the baby was in the crib, it was very likely that Bonky was there too. They were inseperable from the time my nephew was born! And Bonky was very gentle with him and never scratched him at all even tho he had killer sharp claws that got me a few times by accident. Thanks for Sharing - Be Well!!
• United States
13 Feb 10
Yes, that occurred to me too, that he was being protective of the baby. Thank goodness our cats didn't have that reaction when my granddaughter was born. Pumpkin was just a baby himself and loved to lie next to her until she got old enough to grab and chase. Now he and Henry mostly just tolerate her, although they do like to sleep in her crib, usually when she's not in it, but sometimes will curl up at the other end of the crib when she's sleeping.
@littleone3 (2063)
12 Feb 10
Yes I have my partners sister is afraid of cats. She says that they are evil because they have strange green eyes that stare at you. When she came to stay with us my poor cats were not allowed in if she was in the house, I even had to feed them outside which I was not too happy about. As you can imagine I was glad when she had left (so were the cats). But I am going to have the same problem when I eventually make the move to Ireland as one of my cats will be going with me. (the other is staying with my eldest son as he is his cat) I have told my partner that he cannot expect me to keep locking my cat up when his sister comes over as I find that unfair on the cat. So we are going to have to find a way to work this out.
• United States
13 Feb 10
Littleone, I agree, she'll have to get used to the cat. Cats from my experience go either of 2 ways with people who don't like them. Either they ignore them and stay far away which would be good in your case. OR they taunt them by hugging them etc. You can almost see it on their faces that they know they aren't liked and they are going to let that person know who runs the house! The way I look at it, it's my house and these are my family members so get used to it or don't come by..NOW if they are really allergic and that's the reason they dont' want to be near them, then I'll sequester the girls. But other than that NO Way! Since your cat has never done anything for her to be afraid of it, I'd chat with your partner about it. It's unfair that the cats are punished every time she visits. She's not allergic and doesn't really know much about cats. Maybe if she spent just a tiny bit of time with yours, she'd realize how gentle they are overall. Thanks for sharing! Be well!!
• United States
13 Feb 10
3Honor, I'm with you. It's my home, they are my family members so get over it. But I should add that my cats are somewhat trained, if I call them they come. It I tell them to get down or upsy, they get down or up. They love me and humor me by obeying 98% of the time. Thanks for sharing!! Cats rule!
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Feb 10
My friend, Noor, is terrified of them. When I had my first house, a group of my friends decided to get me a kitten. Noor was one of them and she was terrified the whole way from the shelter to my house.
• United States
13 Feb 10
What a wonderful friend you have in Noor!! She was scared but loved you more so dealt with her fear so you could have a kitten! Now that's a great friend to have! Did she ever say why she was terrified of them? Kittens are so darn small and cute. I have a hard time imagining what could be scary about them! Thanks for sharing and Be Well!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Feb 10
She just grew up without pets, no other reason that I am aware of...
@bunnybon7 (50975)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Feb 10
maybe his mother had been attacked by a cat or something like that or maybe she just didnt like cats and wanted assurance that he'd never want one we did once have a big mean cat ourselves that a friend gave us. she was humongous as a cat and attacked people she didnt know from ontop of something. usually she would just jump on them tho and run.
@bunnybon7 (50975)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Feb 10
funny you should say that. we made a sign once saying "beware of cat!!"
• United States
14 Feb 10
She sounds like a dog in a cat body! Or an attack guard kitty! I did ask if he was allegic, nope. Simply didn't like cats and didn't give any more reason than that. His loss in my opinion since I think Cats are wonderful! Thanks for sharing - Take care!
• United States
12 Feb 10
I have met people who are afraid of cats, or who hate cats, and I wonder why? I have four cats, as I have said before in other posts, and they are the best things that ever happened to me. Frisky, Tommy, Goldie, and Lucky are all really awesome cats, and they all have a way of keeping me very entertained. Frisky knows he is the oldest, he knows he is the wise one, and he likes to take care of my other cats. Tommy is a renegade, or the rebel. He loves to go outside, he likes to pee where he wants to pee, he loves every cat he meets, and he is very loving. He has actually taken in kittens and taken care of them as if they were his own. He is very sweet. Goldie is the princess. She loves being held, people and other cats have to do things for her. She has to be first for everything, and she loves people. She goes so far as to greeting people at the door and she wants to be held by everyone she sees. She is also a drama queen and she loves boxes. Lucky is the last one and the luckiest cat there is. When my mother and I first found him, we did not have high hopes for him because he had blue eyes, he was feral, and it just did not seem like he was going to make it in life, and he totally proved everyone wrong. He is perfectly healthy, he has perfect vision, he is a perfect weight and height, and he is very intelligent. He also believes that he is human or should be, and some of the things he does and the way he responds to us is amazing. I am so glad I have him. Cats are pretty amazing animals. They all have different personalities, they all do some crazy things, and they just want to be loved. I do not think that any cat is evil, but I just think that people have to get to know them. Every cat is different, and I found this out when I had my first outdoor cats, Salem and David Jr. Also, my friend had three female cats named BB, Precious, and Sparkle. BB was the mother of Frisky, Precious and Sparkle. BB was pretty independent, but Precious was very needy, until Sparkle came around. Sparkle looked exactly like Precious and for a long time had her exact personality. The two sisters got along very well, and Precious even mothered Sparkle. It's pretty cool seeing how cats change and grow from birth to adulthood. I encourage people to get educated on cats and to see that they are more human and more like us than we think. My grandmother used to be afraid of cats as well, until my four came along, and boy did she change her mind fast about cats. She realized that they were very human-like and that they are all very unique. She also realized that they do have feelings too.
• United States
13 Feb 10
What a delightful group you have, each unique and special in their own way. I just have 2 cats and it's funny that you mentioned a Princess cat. I have one cat that I named Cleo since she looked like she thought she was better than all the other kittens. When I got her, she was at a shelter with about 9 other kittens and she was the one that was sitting up high on a perch and was about eye level with most people. She is so sweet but always gets jealous if they other cat gets petted first. She's definitely the pack leader. Inside the house at least She's Queen of her domain, she becomes a scardy cat and will hide her face in my neck when she has to go the vet. My grandmother on my Mum's side was afraid of cats too. BUT she had a reason!! She somehow got attacked by a cat when she was a toddler and had a very small scar above 1 eye just under the eyebrow. However, she put aside her fear when she came to visit our family and after a few days, Neffie, and she were the best of friends. Neffie won her over. First she'd come over to her and just look up at her. The next day, she hugged her leg. That freaked my gram out abit but it was so quick and gentle that it was over before she could react. That night, Gram woke in the middle of the night to use the restroom and found Neffie fast asleep at the very very bottom of the bed. The 3rd day, Neffie jumped into her lap but Gram knew she was coming. And Gram petted her just abit, then Neffie walked over the couch to where I was sitting and took over my lap for a bath and nap. The way I look at it, Neffie showed her there was nothing to fear and did it lovingly and slowly. Gram even would have liked a cat after that but they didn't allow any pets in the complex where she lived. Too bad since I think cats add so much quality of life, so much more so to elderly folks who are home alone alot! Thanks for sharing - Take care!!
14 Feb 10
when i first married my husband( long time ago, 42 years !!!)i was not a cat person, i preferred dogs, as my family had always owned dogs, never cats. I wasnt afraid of them , i just didnt have any interest in them. we lived with my husbands family and they had a dog and a cat. The cat fell instantly in love with me, big tabby called Tim, and would not leave me alone. i would push him away, push him off my lap( not roughly )but to no avail. So gradually he 'grew' on me. I still own dogs, but have also owned cats. At one time i had 5 cats, but now I still own 3 plus 1 dog. At least 4 of my dearest friends do not like cats. One was so frightened, she would keep her windows shut on the hottest day, in case a cat appeared. i was there one day, in our local social club, when a cat strolled in and my friend was hysterical. Another couple of friends, would come to my house and sit there while the cats swarmed all over them. and it dawned on me that they were sitting there too polite to scream "GET THIS CAT OFF ME!!!". So it is not a case of love me , love my cats, its their choice and their fear, so i wouldnt dream of making anyone frightened. Incidentally, i get hysterical with wasps and daddy long legs !!! far smaller, but they scare me senseless!
• United States
14 Feb 10
LOL. My experiece is just the opposite, I grew up with cats. But never owned a dog until recently. And she was such a sweet pup tho house training was a real challenge. Mocha really opened my eyes up to just how wonderful and special owning a dog can be. They are truly devoted. And so very different from cats! Thanks for sharing !! Be Well !!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
12 Feb 10
I have not met anyone afraid of cats but I have met a couple of very mean cats. Siamese cats have been the meanest ones. My mother had one and when I went to visit her once as a child, it would act like it wanted you to pet it and then the minute you tried, it would attack..lol..She made me a little nervous when she come rubbing my leg and purring..LOL
• United States
13 Feb 10
Ah...yes. Siamese are particularly strong willed cats! We had 2 when I was growing up. The first one was a pure bred Chocolate Point with Breeder's paperwork that was an indoor/outdoor cat and he was never fixed. Now, I do remember one time when I was fairly young, maybe 10 and I was making cookies. Went to check on them, nope not done yet. Well, Uriah came and started to rub my legs so I reached down to pet him and he purred and purred. This went on for a few minutes. BUT when I went to walk away, you guessed it, I got clawed. That's the only lasting memory I have of him. He loved my Dad devotedly, but the rest of us were his servants! Our 2nd siamese was Som Phong, also a pure bred Chocolate Point and he was a hyper cat, always running here and there. Almost manic, my Mom nicknamed him BBZ for Bad Boy Zoomer. But he was fixed and was more of an indoor than outdoor cat. He always came in at night. And it was great fun to go to the deck at dinner time and call him. After a moment or two, he'd come running full speed and then with just a quick cuddle zoom into the house for his dinner!! He also was very loving and would bed hop so he shared the love! After that, we got a mutt out of the free kittens section of the newspaper, she was a gorgeous black angora long hair with white highlights on her chest and bright emerald green eyes. What a wonderful cat she was! She adored my sister the best but also bed hopped occasionally so that we wouldn't feel too left out!
@edu4625 (188)
• United States
12 Feb 10
There seems to more fallacies about cats than dogs. Even though cats are the number one pet in America. Yet when you go to stores you will inevitably find more food items, toys, etc for dogs than cats. I think this lack of information about cats is why so many people believe or have all these untrue stories about them. Plus cats have a long history of being known as an animal witches had or being connected with witchcraft. So I'm sure there's a discrimination against cats that is unwarranted. Before I got my cats I also had some strange notions about them. But as soon as I had an opportunity to truly interact with them I fell in love with cats. I found out how intelligent, warm, loving and playful they are. Cats have so much personality and my cats used to keep me laughing all the time. There was never a dull moment. As far as that worker was concerned he has a far better chance of being bitten by a dog than a cat. I have definitely come across people who are afraid(including myself before I got them as pets)of cats. Since I've had them as pets and know how gentle they are I find it incredible that anyone fears them.
• United States
13 Feb 10
Me too! And what really makes me chuckle is that she was in a cage and all he saw was a very slender petite white paw!!! I had a Maine COONE Mix that was HUGE. He was far larger than the largest cat that most people have seen. And I got him fixed early since he started to get very aggressive and spraying to mark territory at just under 5 months. My vet and I chatted about fixing him so young because it does effect their growth, but in his case, the territory marking tipped the balance. I can't imagine how large he would have been if I'd hadn't had him fixed til he was about 10 months which is more the norm for male cats. He weighed just under 20 pounds and 95% was pure muscle. You can take his tale and wrap it forward and it would cover his full nose with no problem!! Once fixed tho, he became even more loveable and gentle. He was my gentle giant and tho he's been at the Rainbow Bridge for almost 4 years, it's rarely a day that goes by that I don't miss him! Now if he'd been here and not caged, then I might understand some fear!! And I completely agree that there are more stereotypes about cats in general than dogs by far!! And I agree, there is not a good enough selection of cat toys. And certainly not ones that keep their interest or don't fall apart in a day or two! Thanks for sharing - Be well!!
@MrKennedy (1978)
13 Feb 10
Actually, now I think about it, I have never met somebody who is scared or even slightly intimidated by a cat However, as for dogs, I see people all the time who literally jump out of ther skin at the smallest of barks
• United States
14 Feb 10
Yes, I have seen that too! If it's a big dog and it's growling then I am fearful too and will start to slowly back away. Also don't make too direct eye contact since they can perceive that as a threat!
@kaylachan (56209)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Feb 10
I've had people who didn't like my cats. But, then again my cats seemed to know this and would hide from "strangers". But, if someone is afraid I respect it, and I don't let it get to me. Some people are just raised to think cats are dangerous. I live someone who feels that way about dogs. So its no big deal. With roumors of cats being "protectors of the underworld". I mean I can see where he might've been coming from.
• United States
14 Feb 10
Cats sure do have many myths about them! Only 1 of my 2 cats hides from strangers. She used to be very friendly but my home got broken into back in October so now she doesn't trust anyone until they've come and visited several times. Overall, shes's a 1 human cat and that's me! My other cat assumes everyone loves her and most folks do since she's so soft and sweet. She's the softest cat I've ever come across. Thanks for sharing - be Well!!
@ANIME123 (2466)
• United States
12 Feb 10
No I have not met people that are scared of cats, but of dogs yes. It's mostly because they ahd a bad experience and do not trust the at or dog anymore. Sometimes people have different fears, but everyone does always have them too.
• United States
13 Feb 10
I can certainly understand if someone has had a bad experience with a cat or dog that they would be wary. But this fellow was beyond that, it was like he expected her to jump and go for his throat. If she hadn't been in the cage, she'd have run asap to hide under the bed. Real threat there!! LOL.
@tanchyka (213)
• Slovenia
12 Feb 10
I've met such people too. I have a cat that behaves just like a human and is not dangerous at all (when there are no dogs around, of course). He wouldn't hurt anyone, because he's just too lazy. Unless the person was annoying him a lot. But when people come to visit me, some of them are really afraid of even coming close to him, not to mention touching him, because they think he's going to attack them. But if he likes the person, he never attacks them, he just goes under the bed or something. Of course, I can't explain that to people.
• United States
13 Feb 10
Your cat has lots of personality for sure! I have one cat that hides under the bed until a person has been to the house numerous times, then after hearing their voice a few times and realizing all was okay, then she'd come out. But she isn't really friendly except of course to me. She's a true lap cat cuddler. Now my other cat is the people greeter, she wants to meet everyone who comes into the house. Every once in awhile, she meets someone that she takes an instant dislike to and will come over and stick to my side. Like yesterday, she growled quite loudly at a worker that had come to work on the furnace. She and I were in full agreement on that one as something was odd or creepy about him. I think most cats don't really want just anyone to start petting them, they like to be the one to decide! Thanks for sharing - Be well!
@nitin_hec (1096)
• India
12 Feb 10
Mostly Ladies and Kid get afraid whenever they come in our home and cat come before them. But your case is amazing LOL. Cat is just a homely animal. They can not hurt any unless you do not try to naughty with them.
• United States
13 Feb 10
I completely agree, especially since the cat in question was my Cleo. She's very slender, petite and weights just 6 pounds. I mean how terrifying can a 6 pound cat really be? If it came down to it, we all know who'd win the battle if she chose to attack someone. I still chuckle when I think of this huge guy jumping back as if his life was in peril...but then I love all animals. Even Snakes and Bats!!
• Philippines
24 Feb 10
My neighbor don’t like cats. They say that when you have cats your life will be miserable because the only food you have can steal by them. And also the waste of the cat is really awful smell it brings. I believe in that but there is a reason behind. First of all the waste of the cat will be smelled if you will not clean it and when you allow the cats to have their trash on your place. Second the food will not be stealed if it is safely keep. So what is the problem now? That is the reason why I hate my neighbors, they kill cats but they allow their stupid dogs with rabies to bite children on our place and they are escaping their responsibility. That is obviously why I do not get along with them. I can respect their opinions about cats but I can’t accept curled reasons. Cats will not scratch your skin unless you do something that can hurt them. That is called their defend to save themselves, which everyone can do. All I know is that I love my cats, I respect them and they love me too.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
16 Feb 10
i personally know of 3 persons who were afraid of my cats, one of them still is. the one who is still afraid of cats is my good friend. she finds the eyes of cats scary because they look evil when slitted. my sister used to be afraid of anything that is furry and moves. she would scream if a cat brushes against her legs or a dog moves closer to her. now she carries my cats all around our apartment and looks for them every five minutes. another one, who is still learning to accept cats, is my colleague. she is still afraid of anything furry and moves but she has come to love one of my cats. i have met other people who has very weird perceptions about cats too. the evil part may be due to the association of cats and witches. but parents who warn their children that cats bite? i've heard that many times and i have to admit i'm amused sometimes. in my eleven years of cat slavery, i've only been bitten twice. both times were due to the fact that my fingers were covered under my cats' favourite food.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
16 Feb 10
Most the people that come into my home are a little more than then careful around Miss Kitty Kat. Its because they know her. I have three cats but Kitty is the only one that anyone fears. She is mama to the other 2 but her size is smallest. She's leader of the pack. She will do one of three things to you. Attack, molest, or ignor. When encountered by Miss Kitty she IS the one in control. Your only hope is the spray bottle of "Cat Repleant", ingredient; water.None of them like they way that spray bottle looks.
• China
12 Feb 10
this is the first time i heared the adult afriad the cat.So amazing i think. =lol= May be he was a mouse in prelife.
• United States
12 Feb 10
One never knows! She's a tiny tiny cat too..only 6 pounds so not really scary one would think. AND for goodness sakes she was in a cage! Welcome to mylotting! Thanks for your comments, Be Well!!
@YuStar (12)
• Philippines
12 Feb 10
Yup! one of my closes friend is afraid to cats..the reason behind her story of being afraid to cats is when she was a just a kid while playing on her tree house a cat jump on her cooking toys carrying hamskie (her hamster) and in front of her that cat keep on biting hamskie until the blood spread on her toys and killed it. ouch. nasty little cat. i think that incident make a phobia to my friend. well really she was just a kid then so she really don't know what to think about cats. i know not all cats are like that but some are.
• United States
12 Feb 10
Oh that's just awful! No wonder she doesn't like cats! Not sure if I would if I saw my beloved little hamster murdered so horribly! Cats are hunters by nature, even the indoor ones. I lost a pet bird to one of my cats. I hadn't closed the door to the room the bird lived in tight enough. I had gone out to do a few errands and when I came home and saw that the door was open, I knew something bad had happened. Cleo had somehow knocked the whole cage down and that impact caused the safety clip to break off so the door could be slide open. I always kept the office door closed which kept the room warmer and added more safety to my bird. There was a special safety clip that was hard to get off to help protect my little tweet. Never found the bird, there was no blood or even a feather! So I like to tell myself the bird flew away. Although I know that's not what happened. Still feel very guilty about that so I didn't get another bird, too tempting for the cat and not fair to the bird. And it did take awhile for me to forgive Cleo even tho I knew she was just being a cat.