If you're a pet parent who likes to entertain, you may notice that when the party gets underway, you have a nervous cat on your hands. During gatherings your cat may hide under your bed or in a closet, not surfacing until the final guest has left the building.

The anxiety or fear that your kitty displays around large groups of people is natural. It is instinctive for your cat to be cautious around the unknown, be it people, inanimate objects or unfamiliar locations, as these unknowns may be dangerous, explains Petcha.com. Having a houseful of strangers may trigger these instincts, but there are ways to help you cat from feeling overwhelmed by the number of people or level of noise in your home.

Give Some Space

Before the party begins, let your cat nose around the house. This doesn't mean they should walk over the tables and countertops, but you want to let them see what all the fuss is about. Once used to what the party prep looks and smells like, they'll most likely be less nervous.

Animal Planet explains, "a nervous kitty is often head-shy, meaning they will shy away if you try to pet them on the head. They’re also prone to hiding, and you might notice them slinking–walking with legs bent to be low to the ground. They might also twitch their ears or lower the tail with the very tip curved upward." Cats use body language to communicate with their pet parents, so do a wellness check during the party to see how your feline friend is doing.

You don't want to force your nervous cat to interact with your party guests, so before the fun begins, make sure they have access to a hiding spot to get away from the commotion. Make your bedroom off-limits to party guests so that your cat has a comforting, familiar spot to hide. If your cat doesn't want to be around people, no matter what, set them up in a quiet, safe space such as a laundry room or bathroom with the door shut. Be sure to put all necessities–litter box, food, water, and toys–in the room so they don't stress out.