If your cat is shy, afraid of life, and even has symptoms of social phobia, here are some suggestions that can help alleviate this:
Give a sense of security: It is very important to make your cat feel safe and comfortable. You can provide a privacy space for your cat, such as a cat house or a cage, where it can hide and rest. In addition, it is also important to provide a safe space for cats to explore and play.
Progressive socialization: Don't force your cat to contact people or other pets, slowly let it adapt. You can start with a small space, gradually increase the cat's movement space, and slowly introduce other people and pets. If the cat feels uneasy or scared, it needs to slowly retreat.
Encourage cats' curiosity: Cats are usually curious, and you can provide cats with some toys, crawlers and other stimulations to explore and discover new things naturally. You can also try to play interactive games with cats, such as having them chase cat sticks or other interactive toys.
Make cats autonomous: Cats usually like to act independently, and you can provide cats with enough space for autonomous, such as allowing them to move around freely and choose their own resting place. When cats feel safe and free, they are often more confident and relaxed.
Gradually adapt to daily life: When cats start to adapt to daily life, you can start gradually increasing the intensity and frequency of daily activities, such as combing, brushing teeth and cutting nails. Gradually, you will find that cats become more confident and relaxed.
In short, to make cats more confident and relaxed, you need to guide them patiently and gently, and try not to force them to do things they don’t want to do. If you find that your cat has severe social phobia symptoms, you can consider consulting a professional veterinarian.