Understanding the Fear of Cats (Gatophobia)

What Is Gatophobia?

Known as both gatophobia and ailurophobia, the fear of cats is not as common as the fear of dogs. Nonetheless, the fear of cats can have profound effects on people's daily lives, making it impossible to visit cat-loving friends and forcing them to limit their daily activities.

Causes of Gatophobia

People are usually afraid of cats for two reasons: they're afraid of the physical harm they may cause, or they associate them with bad luck, witchcraft, or evil. For example, there is such a strong association between black cats and evil that they are the least likely to be adopted and most likely to be euthanized. 

Physical Harm

Although it can be tough to remember when cuddling a tiny kitten, cats are, by nature, predators. Domesticated house cats retain many of the same basic instincts as lions, tigers, panthers and other large cats. Those who have been bitten or scratched by a cat in the past may be at higher risk of developing a phobia of cats.

Some people are not afraid of indoor cats, particularly those that have been declawed but are terrified of unfamiliar cats that they encounter outdoors. Some fear only male cats, which they perceive as being more threatening than females. Still, others are afraid of all cats and kittens, regardless of circumstances, because they witnessed or personally experienced a negative event with one.

Fear of Evil

Throughout history, cats have been alternately revered and reviled due to their alleged supernatural powers. In Ancient Egypt, cats were worshiped as deities. It was believed that they were under the special protection of Bast, goddess of fertility and the moon. Deceased cats were often mummified and buried in the great cemeteries. Killing a cat, intentionally or accidentally, was often a capital offense.

If not dieties, they were at least revered for their ability to keep rodents at bay throughout the Middle Ages. They were highly valued on farms, granaries, and even monasteries for their rat and mouse-catching skills which preserved their produce and reduced the spread of illnesses.

Perhaps no movement is as closely tied to the vilification of cats as the 16th and 17th-century witch hunts in both Europe and the American colonies. Cats were often seen as witches' servants, little nocturnal messengers capable of doing the witch's bidding. Some believed cats were the witch who had shape-shifted into the form of a feline. By the time of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 and 1693, cats were widely believed to be a witches' link to the devil himself.

Today, the fear of cats as harbingers of evil is typically rooted in a religion-based phobia. In some cases, the fear of evil is a sign of disordered thinking, but modern therapists are careful to take clients' religious beliefs into account before making a diagnosis.

How People Express Their Fear of Cats

In some people, the fear of cats is so strong that it is triggered when thinking about a cat or kitten or hearing one purr. When it is triggered, a variety of reactions is possible. One of the more obvious reactions is a "fight-or-flight" response—the person will quickly run in the other direction. Others may have a panic attack. Avoidance is also common, where the person will do absolutely anything possible to not cross paths with a cat, both in real life and in more extreme cases on TV.

Treatment for Gatophobia

As with most other phobias, psychotherapy and counseling sessions are usually necessary. A therapist may help figure out the root cause of the phobia, help put the fear in perspective, and then help you plan out steps and treatment for overcoming it. It may seem like a simple approach but can be quite difficult to do on your own.

One common therapy is gradual exposure to cats. With small steps, a person can become accustomed to cats. For example, they would first practice looking at pictures of cats, then watching videos and movies with cats, touching cat-like material, playing with a toy cat, and finally holding the real thing. These steps should be taken in controlled, comfortable settings with lots of support, both from the therapist and family members or friends.

Throughout this process, relaxation and visualization techniques are often used. They also help reframe the person's mindset and methodically rationalize their fear. In some cases, hypnotherapy may also be useful.