Preparing Your Nervous Cat for Large Gatherings at Home

If you're a pet parent who likes to entertain, you may notice that when the party gets underway, you have a nervous cat on your hands. During gatherings at your place, your cat may hide under your bed or in a closet, not surfacing until the final guest has left the building.

The anxiety or fear that your kitty displays around large groups of people is natural. It is instinctual for your cat to be cautious around the unknown, be it people, inanimate objects or unfamiliar locations because, for all she knows, these unknowns may be dangerous, explains Petcha.com. Having a houseful of strangers may trigger these instincts in your cat, but there are ways to help her avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of people or level of noise in your home.

Give Her Some Space

Before the party begins, let your cat nose around the house. This doesn't mean she should walk over the tables and countertops, of course, but you want her to see what all the fuss is about. Once she's used to what the party prep looks and smells like, she'll most likely be less nervous.

Animal Planet explains, "a nervous kitty is often head-shy, meaning she will shy away if you try to pet her on the head. She'll also be prone to hiding, and you might notice her slinking–walking with her legs bent so she's low to the ground. She might also twitch her ears or lower her tail with the very tip curved upward." Cats use body language to communicate with their pet parents, so do a wellness check during the party to see how your feline friend is doing.

You don't want to force your nervous cat to interact with your party guests, so before the fun begins, make sure she has access to a hiding spot to get away from the commotion. Make your bedroom off-limits to party guests so that your cat has a comforting, familiar spot to hide. If your cat doesn't want to be around people no matter what, set her up in a quiet, safe space such as a laundry room or bathroom with the door shut. Be sure to put her necessities–litter box, food, water, and toys–in the room with her so she doesn't stress out.