Abused Cats

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 to Feral.

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.