Cats have had an important role in our society since the dawn of time. The ancient Egyptians held these four-pawed creatures in the highest regard, believing them to be magical creatures that would bring good luck. They’d dress them in jewels, worship them, and mummify them when they died.

Centuries later, cats are still given a high level of importance and attention. People mostly see them as loveable pets to have in the house, and adore the feline ferocity that’s an inherent part of their nature. For some individuals, however, cats are no less than fear-inducing, four-legged monsters. Coming across a cat while walking down the street or having one come and greet them as they arrive at a friend’s doorstep is the stuff of their nightmares.

What is this fear of cats and where does it stem from? Let’s take a look.

What Is Ailurophobia?

Ailurophobia (also referred to as gatophobia,elurophobia, and felinophobia) is an intense fear of cats that causes anxiety and panic among individuals who experience it. It can be triggered when they’re around cats, or even by the mere thought of being in the same area as the feline creatures.

Ailurophobia is more than just a dislike of cats. It interferes with the affected individuals’ daily lives and hinders their activities. They may spend a considerable amount of time worrying about being in the presence of cats, or thinking up ways on how to avoid this. This incessant worrying can really take a toll on their productivity and may even limit their activities.

What Causes Ailurophobia?

There isn’t an exact reason for why some people fear cats so much. However, their fear is often attributed to the following two things:

The physical harm cats may cause
The sense of evil and misfortune associated with them

In addition to this, some people also develop this phobia if they’ve had an unfortunate or unpleasant encounter with a cat at some point in their lives. For instance, if they were bitten by a cat when they were young or witnessed someone else being attacked, they may associate that negative experience with any potential encounters with or thoughts of the animal. It’s also possible, however, to have this phobia without having had a bad experience with cats.

How the Fear of Cats is Expressed

Individuals with ailurophobia typically go into a “fight-or-flight” response when they encounter a cat. They’re likely to turn around in the opposite direction and try to escape the area to get as far away as they can.

Some people may also have a panic attack and need several minutes to calm down and restore their normal heartbeat.

Avoidance is another common tactic used to express their fear of cats. They’ll simply avoid being at a place where there may be cats around and avoid watching TV shows that portray cats excessively.

Treating Ailurophobia

Ailurophobia, like many other phobias, is treated through exposure therapy and hypnosis. In addition to this, cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling may also be used to help reframe negative thoughts regarding cats and enable individuals to learn new relaxation techniques.

Rekha Shrivastava at Blossom Hypnosis uses subconscious mind healing techniques for treating anxiety associated with different phobias. She also offers Skype sessions to clients not residing in Rochester, NY.