It is scary for the cats...ours freaked out when we have one a while ago. I just talk to them in a calm voice and the seem to settle down. I agree that they pickup on your fear...they also know they are coming before we do. The last one, the cats came running in to our bedroom and were really on edge. Once the quake hit, my hubby about jumped under the bed (BAD place to be in an EQ) with the cats. I had to coax Noah, Noel and hubby into calmness.