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