Nov
19
What You Need To Know About Abused Cats.
Posted by Carol Johnston at 16:32 | Filed In Cat Ownership
Cats that have suffered abuse may have bodies that look horribly maimed and damaged, while others may come across unscathed in their physical appearance, they may have endured internal and emotional damage, which is harder to overcome. Cats who have been through physical abuse will still respond to a soft touch and soft voice, once they know the abuse is over for good.
With a emotionally abused cat you will need to be patient with him and let him know you are nothing to fear. Give the cat time to come to you, he doesn’t know whether you will hurt him or not. When he does come to you, let him sniff you, speak to him in a soothing tone of voice while you pet him. In a matter of time he will be able to trust you and come to you when you call him.
If you yell, raise your voice, incorrectly use flyswatters or water guns as disciplinary tools it can cause emotional damage. With an emotionally scrarred cat, repeating the wrong type of disipline can make the cat mean or lethargic. Mean cats are easier to work with, because they are concerned about what will become of them, while lethargic cats simply don’t care anymore.
Cats that become lethargic refuse to play, accept treats, or respond to anything you say to them.
With a lethargic cat, the best way to get him to respond is to take in a companion cat. In a matter of time a lethargic cat will seek attention, usually a scratch or a pat. When this happens, you should talk to him if a soothing voice and snuggle with him. Never raise your voice at this stage, and always let the cat know his behavior has changed for the better.
Always be careful when moving around a lethargic cat for he hasn’t recovered from the trauma. Any sudden movement or raising your voice will only frighten the cat and drive him back into hiding. You need to continue to speak to him in a soft voice and be patient. Overtime your cat will eventually overcome this. Expect to go through a long and intensive healing period when dealing with a lethargic cat. It will take patience on your part.
On the other hand, mean cats will fight or scratch you, or run away from you. When working with mean cats, it is best to treat them gently while using a soft voice. It will only make the cat meaner if you raise your voice or use strict disipline. Don’t ever trap a cat, trapping will only further upset the cat. The cat will eventually calm down if you take your time and let him know you are there for him.
Sadly, there are cats who have suffered horrific abuse. Abused cats need a caring owner who will provide a loving, stable home environment for them. They have been through a traumatic experience and need to be treated with tender loving care.