How do cats typically respond when they are afraid?

When cats experience fear, their responses can vary, but they often exhibit a combination of freezing, attempting to escape, or displaying defensive behaviors like attacking. This reaction stems from their natural instincts for self-preservation. Freezing may help the cat assess the situation to determine whether it's safer to stay still or flee. An escape attempt indicates a strong desire to retreat from whatever is causing fear, and attacking may occur if the cat feels cornered and believes it has no other option to ensure its safety.

While running away is a common response to fear, it doesn’t encompass all possible actions—some cats may freeze temporarily before deciding to escape, or they might lash out instead if they feel threatened. This multifaceted response aligns with a cat's instinctual behaviors, where they weigh their options based on the perceived threat. Moreover, seeking human interaction typically suggests that a cat is looking for comfort or security, which contrasts with the instinctual flight-or-fight responses seen in fearful situations.