Abused cats can be terribly
maimed and damaged on the outside. They can even appear quite
normal on the outside and all the damage might be emotional.
The emotional damage is harder
to repair. A physically damaged cat will still respond positively
to a soft voice and touch. They seem to know that the abuse will
not continue anymore.
With an emotionally abused
cat, you will need to let the cat come to you. Feed and care
for it conscientiously. If you have another, more loving cat,
the example to the abused cat will be good for it and will serve
to draw the cat out.
Screaming, yelling, startling,
and indiscriminate use of disciplinary tools, such as a water
pistol can cause emotional damaged. Prolonged exposure to this
treatment produces a cat that is slow to trust. The cat may turn
mean or become lethargic.
If the cat becomes mean, it
is actually a good sign. A lethargic cat is harder to reach.
The angry cat still cares what happens to it, while the lethargic
cat could care less.
The lethargic cat will not
play, respond to treats, pats, or a soft voice. Your best bet
with the lethargic cat is a companion cat to draw the poor thing
out. Eventually, the damaged kitty will ask for a pat or scratch
while you are most vulnerable - usually lying in bed or on the
toilet. Give confident, gentle snuggling and use a soft voice.
Do not make too much of a fuss - but let the cat know you like
the new behavior. Move slowly because the cat is still quite
traumatized. Once this behavior begins, you are well on your
way to a friendly, but still stand-off-ish house cat. It may
take a long time, and consistency is the key. Never raise your
voice around the cat. It will run. Every instance of veterinary
care will be traumatic to it. Try to minimize visits and combine
the purposes. Your cat will hide after each visit for as long
as it feels upset. Continue to speak softly and care for the
cat. It will come out and be friendly eventually. This type of
cat has the longest memory for past hurts. If you take on a cat
like this, be prepared for a long, intensive period of healing.
The angry or mean cat will
run away, fight and scratch. Consistent, gentle treatment and
a soft voice are your best bets. If you tame the cat as if it
were Feral, you will have the best results. Never trick the cat
into a situation where it feels trapped. It will instantly revert.
Black cats face a serious risk
around Halloween. Never leave the cat unattended outside during
this time of year. It seems that all the sickos in the world
come looking for black cats at this time of year. The unsuspecting
and trusting pet black cat may be cat-napped and tortured or
killed.
Morgen Marshall, a cat lover
and trainer, invites you into her world of cats. She created
a website dedicated to making the relationship between cats and
people harmonious and healthy, For
the Love of Cats. It is a place for people facing difficulties
in their relationships with cats to come and find the answers
they need from someone they can trust.