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