Why Your Cat Has a Nervous Temperament
Knowing why a cat is nervous can help you sort out the best treatment. It can also help you manage your own expectations. A cat that's predisposed to skittishness might not ever become the cuddly kitty that you envisioned when you adopted her, and if you know this up front you won't be as likely to blame yourself if your cat doesn't make as much progress or doesn't open up as quickly as you want her to.
If you adopted a feral or wild cat, chances are she's going to be more nervous than a domesticated one, but nervousness and anxiety are not a breed-specific problem.
Just like people, there are all manner of reasons that your kitty could be nervous. Many nervous cats have experienced some kind of trauma like abuse or a dog attack. Others are just not socialized, so they aren't used to being around people and living in a home, especially if they were alley cats. They may be afraid of dogs, other cats, or even strange things like trash cans. It's all about familiarity and instincts. Unlike dogs, cats don't travel in a pack so when they feel threatened (even if it's just by you wanting a pat), they'll run and hide in a safe place.
In general, a nervous cat does best in a quiet home, but that doesn't mean you can't acclimate your kitty if you live somewhere noisy or have kids. What's important is that you give the cat a safe place to hide and that you be patient and work with her. In a more hectic environment, it can take a long time for your nervous kitty to mellow out and come out of her shell, but there are some ways to help her be more confident.
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