Abused CatsWith 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 traumatized 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 additional emotional damage. Prolonged exposure to this treatment produces a cat that is slow to trust. This cat may will itself to die, stop eating and drinking and otherwise just give up. If the cat becomes mad enough, it can be very difficult to be around as it will attack you on sight. Children around an abused cat must be especially careful. Kids move fast, talk without thinking and shriek. This can cause even more damage to the kitty. Often, younger children don't know how to handle the most tame housecat, and with an abused cat this is much worse. Your child may be scratched and bitten hard enough to break the skin. I suggest you keep children away from abused cats unless the child has a temperament that induces calm in the cat. 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-offish house cat. It may take a long time, and consistency is the key. Never raise your voice around the cat. It will run and may experience more trauma. Every instance of veterinary care will be traumatic to it. Even applying flea drops will be upsetting. Try to minimize visits to the vet and combine purposes. Your cat will hide after each visit or episode for as long as it feels like it. 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 most effective tools. 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.
Feral Cats Working with Cats Rescue Cat Training Tips Operant Conditioning - The Backbone of Training Basic Cat Training Cat Care
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