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