Cats stalking people

Question
Dear Jessica

Do you know of any website or material that I can find on cats that will prove to people that I am not insane? Let me explain please. I have been afraid of cats all my life. I am 54 years old and when I tell people that I am afraid of cats I get nothing but laughs from them. I try to explain that cats will and do stalk me. Even the most well mannered, well behaved, friendliest who wouldn't bother anyone cat will stalk me. This just makes people laugh all the more. I am so tired of trying to convince people that I am not nuts about this. My daughter who has been a professional animal groomer for years is the only one who backs me up. When I walk into a room and a cat is present they immediately sense my fear. They will lay in wait so to speak till I sit down some where and then they will go to work to antagonize me. They honestly will make a be-line direct to me to rub up against me, jump on me or on the chair I am sitting in to get into my hair and a dozen of other things. I have had one try to attack me by literally lunging threw the air with claws exposed going straight for my throat. Now I know how silly this may sound but I am quite serious and this all has and does happen but people never believe me. Is there any articles or information that you can send me or direct me to that backs up the fact that cats do and can stalk people? Especially if they sense your fear of them. I have had them lay in one spot of the room just staring and following me. I know this may sound like I am paranoid but I am honestly not. It really happens. I love dogs and have no fear of dogs. I am tired of people, friends and family laughing at me. Once and for all I would like to have the proof to show them I am not nuts.

Thank you for any assistance you can offer to this situation.

Jan Jeska

Answer
Hi Jan.  What you suffer from is called ailurophobia.  There was an article on it in a recent edition of Cat Fancy Magazine.  I'll see if I can find it and relay the main gist of it later.

One of the reasons cats may seek out people who dislike cats or are afraid of them is because the person avoids eye contact with them.  Cats see direct eye contact as a threat.  Staring is the first sign that another cat is feeling agressive.  A cat is more likely to approach a person who appears relaxed and is not staring at them.

Honestly, I believe your fear probably stems from the possibility that you don't understand felines, and you're reading too much into their behavior.  Cats communicate through body language that takes time for humans to interpret.  Those who are not exposed to it regularly can certainly misunderstand.  For instance, we all know that a dog wagging his tail is feeling friendly.  But a cat who's wagging its tail is feeling aggressive.

All of the things that you have mentioned, aside from the cat who went for your throat, are not in any manner meant to intimidate you.  They are just a cat's way.  Sitting on a chair near you or sitting on your lap are actually compliments.  So is playing in your hair - he's grooming you as he would a close buddy.  While you feel that a cat who watches you intently and follows you around is stalking you, he is probably just curious about you.

But cats can sense fear.  This emotion, like most, spreads.  If you are fearful, the cat may become fearful.  This causes the "fight or flight" instinct to come into play.  Most cats who are in fear will run and hide under a bed or such.  Some become defensive and aggressive.  I'm the world's greatest catlover, but my aunt has a cat who's gone for my throat a couple times, too!  Come to find out, he does it to everyone.  He just reacts aggressively in situations that make him fearful.  Maybe the cat who attacked you is simply a fighter, rather than a "flighter."  But that is the rare case.

There is the random case where a cat pursues another cat, a dog, or a person who is fearful, just for kicks.  I've got to say, though, that this really is uncommon.  In my experience, Siamese cats seem to enjoy it, especially.  But I think that you have just misunderstood the intentions of most of the feline you've encountered.