Some cats are ultra-extroverted and can’t get enough quality time with people and other animals. But just like humans, cats are unique individuals with their own personalities, so some are a little bit more shy and insecure than others. Cats that are insecure often show signs of stress, so we’re here to help you decide whether or not your cat might be suffering from a little lack of confidence.
#1 – Hiding
Cats that don’t feel safe or comfortable will often resort to hiding as a means to feel secure. This is normal behavior for cats, but excessive hiding is a sign of a problem. Your cat very well might hide after you accidentally drop a cooking pan or a loud motorcycle starts up, but you don’t want a cat that hides constantly for no apparent reason at all.
#2 – Peeing Outside Their Box
This is almost always a sign of a medical issue, but some cats will start marking their territory if they feel threatened. Often when new pets or even human babies are added to the household, and older cat will feel insecure and urinating, defecating or both throughout the house.
#3 – Excessive Purring
Purring is typically a sign of comfort, but excess purring is also a sign of pain and discomfort. Cats purr to soothe themselves, so even though you think your cat is feeling loved, they may be purring to make themselves feel better and more secure. If your cat purrs constantly with some of these other symptoms, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re feeling well.
#4 – Aggression
Sudden aggression in cats can be both a medical and behavioral problem. When cats feel insecure and threatened, they’re likely to hiss and scratch at you or whoever is making them feel uncomfortable. Sometimes cats will display sudden aggression to people they know very well because they’re dealing with some internal insecurity they need help with.
#5 – Tail Always Down
Just like a dog’s tail wagging, a cat’s tail up in the air is a sign that they’re happy to see you. If your cat is constantly slinking around with a low tail, they’re likely feeling uncomfortable or insecure.
#6 – Constant Crying
Constant meowing can be a sign of many different medical and behavioral issues, but insecurity is one of them. Cats that feel insecure will often want to call to their owners or other family members when alone because they want the close company of someone else to make them feel safer.
#7 – Dilated Pupils
Dilated pupils are almost always a sign of some sort of stress, be it from fear of something, anger at another cat they’re going to fight with, or the excitement of hunting prey. If the cause of your cat’s pupil dilation is always fear, it’s likely they’re insecure.
#8 – Excessive Grooming
Cats that are insecure are often very stressed and this stress can be exhibited with excessive grooming. In fact, some cats will focus on grooming to soothe themselves so much that they’ll pull all of their hair out and leave bald spots or even infections from irritated skin.
#9 – Sudden Dependency
While many cats are very loving and affectionate, most still have some sort of independence. Especially when cats that were once perfectly normal felines become extra clingy, you might be dealing with some insecurity. Often when frightened and insecure, cats will want to stay attached to their owners or someone that makes them feel safer.
