Scared of Visitors

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to calm a cat that is scared of visitors?

My cat Smokey has recently become scared of people. Back in January, a friend of mine stopped by to visit. It was the first time I've had visitors since bringing Smokey home last September, and he was a little timid but quickly warmed up to my friend and kept rubbing up against him for attention. Now that warm weather is finally here, I've been leaving my front door open when I'm in the living room (storm door is kept shut and locked). He and my other cat Casey Jones both love to look out the door and paw at the window for attention when they see my neighbor out on our porch that our townhouses share.

So, this past weekend when I had family in for the evening, I figured that unlike my first cat Chessie, who ran whenever anybody came near the door, Smokey would likely warm up to my family alongside Casey.

I was wrong.

My parents came in, and Smokey hid under the end table next to the couch. When my mom tried talking to him and offering him treats, he bolted into the kitchen. At one point, he did come within about three feet of my dad when I had the laser pointer out to try to tempt him into the living room, but he would take a look up at my dad in the recliner and retreat into either the bathroom or the kitchen. When my brother and his family arrived, Smokey disappeared, somehow getting himself behind the refrigerator, which I didn't think there was room behind it for him.

Ever since, he's been acting a lot more timid whenever he thinks somebody is coming in. He'll see my neighbor on the porch and take off running into the kitchen. He'll be waiting with Casey at the door when I come home from work, but instead of waiting with Casey to get attention from me, he takes off towards the kitchen until he's sure that nobody else is coming in.

I know that my living alone and not getting many visitors doesn't help in getting Smokey to be more social, but unfortunately, there isn't much I can do about that.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

http://chatanuga.org/pics/pets/catsig.jpg

Something must have scared him, perhaps when more people come in and talk loudly. My cat hates visitors, too. He runs under my bed and stays there until my guests are gone, then he'll come out and all is normal.

When he was younger, he would stay where he was - mostly, but as soon as he hears the doorbell these days, he's under the bed.

If my catsitter comes in and uses a key, he doesn't hide.

All I can suggest is to ask your guests not to talk or make any other noise for the first 5-10 min., but I can see that might be difficult. ;)

Good luck! :)