Knowlegable cat people, i need some advice,help - please?

Question

He (my cat) went missing for 2-3 days last week, after a frantic search he turned up in my garden, i got him vets treatment immediately but now he is in a depression. the vet said it lookes like he has had a few hard kicks to his body but a human.

He is neutered and a very warm and loving boy so i dont know why anyone would do this.

He was a rescue cat and in his previous home had had been hurt by his owners, the only reason i ever let him outdoors was because that was what he was used to, and would jump and go crazy at the door if i didnt allow him out. I live in a little and friendly community so it has come as a shock that he could have ended up being hurt in this way.

His physical injuries are healing but the problem is he has sunk into a depression, he is such a sad kitty and it is breaking my heart to see him so down.

I will not let him out again, but i doubt he will want to go out anyway.

Does anyone have any advice on how to help/things i can do to try to heal his emotional scars? he only gets up to eat drink and use his tray, and does this quietly. He isnt bright and happy any more and barely even lifts his head to look at me.

He really is a sweet boy and wouldnt even pounce on a moth.

Thank you

Answer 1

Aww that's horrible!! How can people do things like that? It's not the same, but when my cat got neutered he was really quiet and just picked at his food for few days, we just gave him lots of attention and spoiled him with all his favourite things (saucer of milk, tins of tuna and my dressing gown which he loves to use as a bed for some reason!) and he was soon back to his old self. Poor thing, give him a stroke from me :)

Answer 2

poor guy !!!

how could any one harm a helples animal !! such as him !!!!

try having enough cat toys, trees inside the house .

I am not sure if getting another cat would cheer him up or would make him go down and gelouse .

I think providing as much love as you can is the best you can do by strocking(patting) him, while talking to him with a calming voice ..

I would like to suggest something that I believe in and do , though it would sound funny to you.

look into his eyes when you pat him , or whenever he looks at you and

slowly close your eyes and open them ...( it is a fact in cats language which means ..." I like you ,,, or I love you " ) some cats do the same back ..mine do !

give him some time to forget ... there are also DVDs for cats with birds and fish that is to be watched by indoor cats.

do not force your self all the times.

do update us please about him , i really feel sorry and I am imagining if the same happend to one of my cats ... what would I do ?

Tip: Try Catnip :)

Good luck  

Answer 3

The person that mistreated your cat should have the same treatment dished out to them!  

I'd suggest totally spoiling your cat, favorite food, hugs, strokes, kind words, soothing voice.  At the moment he's not in the mood to play, you just need to calm him and let him know he's totally safe.  If a person had been beaten up, it'd take them a while to get back to normal so this probably applies to animals too.  In a few weeks he'll be back on track to his chirpy self.

All the best.  

Answer 4

First of all, that is pretty sad that a person would actually hurt a cat like that.  I have a cat, and i would be devastated it someone did that to mine.  Well, I'm not quite sure what you should do. If he was a rescue cat, then he probably got a fright when that happened to him, and is scared so he backs off.  I think what you should do is whenever you see your cat, smile and if he is healed yet, just give him a pet or something. Give him a treat, one of his favorites, and see if he improves.  I think he is just really scared and depressed, so he is backing off.  Well if you stay away from the cat, then most likely he will stay away from you. But try going to the vet again if he refuses to eat or anything like that.  Hope your cat feels better soon, and recovers well.  Oh yeah, and if the cat like the outdoors, try opening a window with a screen so he can sit by it, i know my cat loves that.

Answer 5

Oh poor kitty, I feel so bad for him. You could try to play with him. Get a long piece of yarn or string and see if he will chase it around your home. In pet stores they sell those toys with feathers on the end and are on what looks like a fishing rod.

Pet him, cuddle him and talk to him I'm sure he could use a lot of  TLC right now. With a lot of patience and some extra attention and love he will snap out of this depression that he's in. I can imagine just how traumatized he is right now. Don't give up on him, get him to play and give him extra love and attention too.

Give him a kiss for me too. : }

Answer 6

Just show him lots of affection, give him treats (not too many and make him fat though!)

He will take a while to get over what has happened, just bear with him and things will turn out for the best,

Also try playing with him, buy a couple of furry toys and things, he will eventually start to purr again.

Answer 7

Its sad to see someone would do this. it may have been some teenagers anyway pet it give it cuddles and feed it the best food/treats you can.  

Answer 8

Some people are disgusting.

Poor baby.

I find that catnip spray works the best, and lots of love and attention.

Answer 9

I don't think you should try to play with him because he might still be sore from his injuries...maybe wait another few days and then try to roll a ball around infront of him, or wriggle a piece of string. However, if he is sitting alone somewhere looking uninterested or depressed, approach him and stroke him, talk to him and that'll let him know that you care about him. He might also be afraid of you for a little while if it was a human who kicked him. Sometimes animals can't differentiate between the person who kicked them and other friendly people, so just think of all people as dangerous.

Believe it or not, animals can actually be treated professionally for depression. I've heard of cats taking an equivalent to Prozac before after a traumatic event, but am not sure of the specifics. I think that if you can't coach him out of this depression on your own, then contact your vet and explain what's happening. He might be able to offer some solutions on what things to do and what to avoid.

I hope that your kitty cat recovers soon!

http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-83.htm

http://www.mindbodyandpaw.com/depression...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Answer 10

Try talking to him more and sing to him and say thing to him like I love you baby, try and play with him get some kat toys.

Answer 11

I am so sorry to hear this. I am a big cat lover and it breaks my heart. Someone probably locked him up and did these things to him. I think if you just love him and reassure him he'll be ok. He is probably just scarred and needs time to heal. Just show him that he's safe now and im sure he will come around.

Answer 12

What does he like? Get out his favorite treats and toys and spend time wtih him

Answer 13

First I'm so very sorry this happened to your special little guy. If it was me in your situation I would avoid smothering him with affection. It tends to freak cats out even more in my experience. Just be there for him. When you walk by him, simply bend down and give him and affectionate stroke or two and follow his lead. If he indicates he wants more attention by all means do give it to him but if he's being distant just let him be. Following him around and trying to focus all your attention on him will only make him feel more uneasy. Cats tend to sense their people's anxieties so also try to relax and not thin too much about how bad you feel for him right now. Instead focus your thoughts on how much you love him and how glad you are that he's home and safe. Catnip is a good idea as someone else suggested and you can also try one of the Feliway products if you can afford it. It will help him relax and it's supposed to encourage peaceful feelings (it's an herbal remedy so it's all natural and safe). I've had good results with it when  my cats have suffered stressful events. Keeping him indoors may be part of his depression so perhaps you could buy him a bird feeder so he has something to look at through the window. Good luck and my thoughts and prayers will be with both of you.

Answer 14

Try some catnip, that always cheers my cat up. Also he he is probably a little sore from his injuries, I am pretty sure he will cheer up as he starts to feel better, and give him lots of hugs !