If you have a skittish cat who spends most of her life under the bed, the problem may be that she doesn't have choices for hiding places. Being under the bed is safe because the cat remains hidden and has plenty of escape options if someone peeks under there in an attempt to extract her. Create other hiding place options by having beds in other parts of the house so kitty feels hidden. Place the beds in elevated areas. Being able to walk through a room while staying "invisible" is important to a scaredy cat. Slide sofas and chairs out from against the wall so the cat can walk behind them. Finally, don't attempt to hold her when she ventures from her hiding place. Let her feel that she has control.
Pam Johnson-Bennett, CABC, is a certified cat behavior consultant and author of seven best-selling books. Her website is www.catbehaviorassociates.com
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