When I see people keeping cats as pets, my reaction is often, OMG, really? This response isn’t because I hate cats, but because I’ve come to realize I have a genuine phobia—ailurophobia, or the fear of cats.
I vividly remember an experience that made me fully aware of this fear. It was a beautiful morning, and I had just woken up to prepare for school. I got out of bed, opened the door that connected me to my roommate’s side of the room, and to my shock, a black and white cat was sitting right there, staring at me. I froze. Without even thinking, I slammed the door shut and ran back to my bed in panic.
Read more: Ailurophobia: Fear of Cats and My Personal ExperienceWhat made the situation worse was that pets weren’t even allowed in my school dorms, so I had no idea how the cat got there. After that encounter, I completely lost interest in going to school or doing anything that day. The fear was so overwhelming. Eventually, I called a friend who loved cats and, to this day, I’m so grateful to her for coming to help me. Thanks to her, I was able to leave the room and get ready for class elsewhere.
I will always remember that day because it was the moment I realized just how deep my fear of cats truly was.
After reflecting on this incident, I began to understand where my fear of cats originated. Growing up, I watched several movies and heard stories that depicted cats as evil creatures. If you’re Nigerian, particularly Yoruba, you may understand this cultural association. Cats were often shown in a negative light, doing evil things, and that image has stuck with me ever since.
Unfortunately, I still have this phobia, and it’s not something I’m proud of. I can’t control the intense fear that washes over me whenever I see a cat. The only thought in my mind is: “Get as far away from it as possible!”
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