What is the medical term for the fear of cats?

The correct term for the fear of cats is ailurophobia. This condition specifically refers to an irrational and intense fear of cats, which can lead to significant anxiety or avoidance behavior when encountering these animals.

Ailurophobia is rooted in the Greek word "ailuros," which means cat, combined with "phobia," meaning fear. Understanding the linguistic components can help clarify why ailurophobia is associated distinctly with cats.

The other options refer to different phobias: agoraphobia pertains to the fear of open or crowded places; aerophobia is the fear of flying; and ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes. These distinctions make it clear why ailurophobia is particularly relevant in the context of fear associated with felines.