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Shy cats tend to keep to themselves, particularly in uncomfortable situations — which can include everything from friends visiting your home to a trip to the vet’s office. One downside of this is that when your cat is prone to hiding, it can be difficult to spot the small changes in behavior that may signal a health problem. Your shy cat may also be aggressive when she feels threatened, and this behavior can make even routine vet visits difficult. Luckily, a cat doesn’t need to be born bold to become a confident kitty. Reward-based training can help your cat feel…

Many pet owners fail to recognize their pets’ anxiety in the early stages, and even fewer are likely to seek treatment. Intervention is key, though, because noise anxiety rarely gets better on its own. Ideally, intervention starts early, but even pets with pronounced fears can often be helped. A combination of desensitization, positive reinforcement and coping techniques can be used to train your pet to be more confident around loud noises. Begin by consulting with your veterinarian to eliminate any potential underlying health issues that may be contributing to your pets’ fear of noises. Once he has a clean bill…

It’s generally best to set up the tree so your cat can’t get to it at all. With dogs, you can usually block off a tree with a fold-up children’s play yard or a canine exercise pen, but a normal cat will laugh at so feeble an attempt to contain him. Instead, set up the tree in a room with doors you can close, choosing, say, a formal living room over a more open family room, so it’s easy to deny access to the tree when you’re not around. You could also try making a “moat” of foil around the…