How do I help my abused cat?

Question

I recently moved into a new apartment that does not normally allow pets, however I was given permission since I have an anxiety disorder to keep my cat as long as I had certain paperwork completed. I left my cat in the care of a friend whom I thought I could trust. Today I went over to see how she was doing and I was horrified to see that she was being kept in a tiny cage, her litter box was filthy and there was urine and f***s on the floor around it, there was no food and water available to her, and worst of all, when I went to take her out of the cage she shrank back as though I were going to hit her. I have removed her from that home and will not be talking to that "friend" ever again, but my cat is now acting strangely and displaying behaviors that I have not seen her do before, such as being aggressive towards myself and my friends, shrinking in fear if someone tries to touch her, and hiding in small areas of my apartment. I consulted with a veterinarian and he agreed that my cat was abused in that home. The paperwork for me to have her at my apartment is not complete but I just can't return her to where she was staying as she was obviously being mistreated. I love my cat and I want to keep her, and I believe my landlord will understand the situation. I raised this cat from a kitten and this breaks my heart that someone I thought I could trust would do these things to her. What do I do to help her return to being the loving and affectionate feline that I once knew?

Answer 1

Give her lots of time, and lots of space, If she wants to be alone, don't try to force the issue. I catsit for my friend and it took one of her cats six years to decide he liked me and come out when I visited, but now he can't leave me alone!

Tempt her with her favourite food. tuna in spring water is my cats' favourite.

Make sure that she has a small dark space (eg cupboard, large box) to retreat to when she wants privacy.

Ensure that when you have other people round, they leave her alone. I would shut her in the bedroom out of the way, with her bed, food water and toys of course.

Don't make loud noises or sudden movements near her, and talk to her a lot in a very gentle voice.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

talk to her give her treats   and   TLC   it will take time but that should help her      im sorry about ur cat i cant stand mf useless people do that...

Answer 3

First off, I'd be calling the police and reporting this.  Animal abuse in most areas is a felony.

How long was she with this person?  That will be a big factor in how long it will take her to trust you again and to not feel endangered.  I adopted a cat that was about to be put to sleep because she was peeing on her owner's bed.  When I read the paperwork on her I saw the owner had a three year old and noticed this cat seemed VERY fearful of young children.  At first she was rather fearful.  If I approached her she'd run off and if I moved quickly - like tossing clean laundry on the bed - it scared her away.  She also would spend most of her time sleeping in a cat bed in my bedroom.

I just backed off from her and moved slower around her.  It took a couple months but she now throws herself at my feet whenever I walk into a room.  I can pick her up and snuggle her and she headbutts my face.  She also is so comfortable here that she now will nap right out in my living flat on her back on my futon.  

So give your cat time and LOTS of love and attention and I'm sure she'll realize she's back with the person that loves her and will do her no harm.  I'm sorry your cat - and you - have to go through this.  DEFINITELY report this sick person.

Answer 4

Start from the beginning.explain to the landlord that you check on the cat& it was being abused-so you have to take it out of that situation.Be completely honest.



1. You need to be patient and start from scratch like rasing a kitten

2. I would not put it in a crate just yet, but I would put it in a small room with litter box, that quiet.Ignore her for most of day 1, but everytime you or someone  go into the room, leave a little treat there for it, just leave it on the floor.try to keep it relatively quite for the 1st day.

3. Slowly increasingly the time you come in and even slowly put the food closer to the door.

4.Do Not Rush her.

5. You can even give her quiet toys, when you go into the room

6. When she comes up give her a pat, and say good kitty, you can even give her a treat or a favourite toy.

7. When she lets her pat her, then step two the following day, you can sit down and give her cuddle, her 1st instinct will probably be to run & hide, but if she does, let her go, then slowly recontinue the process every 1hour, do it more often as she gets used to it.

Answer 5

Ugh! Horrible! This 'friend' has abused your cat and I'm sure it makes you sick to your stomach. Your paperwork is not complete? Do you have a deposit to make or a Rabies vaccine to give her in order for you to have her in your place? If so, make a deal with the landlord to pay the deposit over time and take her to a low cost clinic for her vaccine. Otherwise, the best thing for her is your patience, love and gentle touch. It may take a while but she has to re-learn trust with you as her example. The key is to allow her time to heal. Don't try to force it. Every chance you get let her know she's loved and you have no intention of trapping her (again). Maybe start with some treats, sitting on the floor and just talking to her sweetly. Let her come to you. I hope this was helpful.      

Answer 6

Time + a lot of love and the cat should be OK. Once she gets used to your scent again she should calm down. Have you considered reporting your ex "friend" to the relevant authorities?

I'd also consider trying Feliway, you can get it from your vet. It's a synthetic cat hormone that calms cats down and makes them feel safe and less anxious.

Best wishes to you and your cat.

Answer 7

make her daily life predictable--feed same time, same place every day. Get into a routine so she knows what to expect and can begin to relax and trust again.  Lower your own distress about the past events and it will help calm her.

Be gentle and patient.  She is able to recover from that experience with your help.

Answer 8

she has to learn to trust you all over agin. It may take awhile.

She had to have been really abused to act like this. I feel for you to see your baby be like this.

What a horrible person friend...hope you toss her out of your life for good.

Answer 9

I am so sorry for the trauma you and your cat have been through, this is AWFUL to hear.

If you have a room in your apartment you can leave her in with her litter box, food and water, it's best to let her be on her own for a bit. Don't force her, but go in the room with a tasty treat and sit on the floor with her. Let her come to you, don't go to her.

It will take a while for her to learn people are good again and not fear you.

Also try a product like Feliway, it's a plug in diffuser that helps calm nervous cats. I have used it an it has made a HUGE difference when taming feral and abused cats.

You said you consulted the vet, but did you take her to the vet for a thorough checkup? Perhaps she has injuries you aren't aware of. It would be best to have a good checup done for her to be sure nothing physically is wrong.

I wish you and your cat the best. I know how heart sick you must be over this. Just be slow and patient with your kitty, and she will come around. Just don't force her, let her come to you in her own time.

Many blessings to you and your cat.  

Answer 10

Like a human that has been abused it will take them a while to open up again. Give the cat lots of freedom and feed them at an arranged time every day. Time is usually the best healer. In time she will come to trust you again.  

Answer 11

Give her time, don't press her, but give her a lot of love.

Answer 12

Poor little cat.  She will be associating humans with bad experiences for a while, but she will get better when she learns to trust you again.  It will just take time, playing with her gently and feeding her treats and making sure she has somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep.  Try to do it on her terms and taking things at a pace she's comfortable with.  Be patient though, she will be her old self in no time.

Wouldn't waste much time on the so called friend though, they clearly don't care about what matters to you.

Good luck