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