waz this cat abused?

Question

we have a cat that just showed up @ our house about 3-4 years ago...at first we wanted 2 dicourage the cat from satying but by then it waz already good buddies with our cat....so we let it stay but ever since we found it it has always run from us we have never picked up an we can rarely pet it...we are thinkin the cat waz abused an is afraid 4 watever reason of humans....im not sure wat do you think...was he abused???

Answer 1

I could have been abused but most likely is either just shy around humans or is feral. Outdoor/feral cats that go by houses get shooed away a lot, so that is also a possibility. A lot of people think a shy dog or cat must have been abused...it has been proven that some are just more passive than others. Don't push it with this cat...you don't want to get scratched or bitten by a potentially rabid animal. If you feel you must have it get to know you take it slow...offer it some treats/food while your petting it...then try to get it to come to you or onto your lap. Don't move quickly around it til it's comfortable with you. Once it knows you're a source of something it likes, it will probably be less frightened. Also...if your cat has been around it, there is a good chance your cat could have picked up Feline Leukemia, FIP or FIV. There are a lot of outdoor cats that have this (they can have no symptoms for years) and it is VERY contagious and is fatal. You should have your cat tested and vaccinated against at least FIV and Leukemia (not to mention Rabies and distemper combo). Outdoor cats also carry fleas that could have been transferred to you and your cat and then into your house...if your cat's not on flea preventative, it's a good idea, and you may want to treat your house for fleas. Once you're able to pick up that cat or if you can trap it...you need to have it checked out and vaccinated by a vet to keep you and your cat safe.

Answer 2

My little Amber Child is this way. I got her from a shelter when she was six months old. She was adopted out twice and returned, very skittish and not what most people would have wanted in a cat. It was kitten "season" and I knew she would be euthanized if she did not find a home. My brother was dying of cancer far away from me and I was under a great deal of emotional stress. I did not confine her long enough to get her bonded to me. She is ten years old now. She has never jumped up on a counter and is definitely the "omega" cat in my household. Sometimes I am sorry for her that I adopted her, on the other hand I know she probably would have had no life at all if I had not taken her. She is so sweet, a pudgy, petitie little orange and white cat. She comes up on the couch with me at least once a day and lays beside me on her side with such a pleading look in her eyes. She loves to be stroked and talked to gently and becomes very anxious if I hold her and wants to run away.

And yes, I have a fantasy that Amber was adopted by a mother and child who loved her and a man in the house (probably an alcoholic) who hit her when she got up on things or bothered him in any way. He was probably an abusive husband too who took his anger and rage out on the poor kitten. When these peole moved they just left Amber to fend for herself at their apartment building.

I started using the Bach essence Larch on Amber when she was about eight years old. She is ten now. Larch is used to boost self-esteem. I feel it helped her a great deal, her tolerance of being held and stroked increased noticeably and she is more assertive about the food bowl with the other cats. She would always let the other cats get into the bowl and would just move away when they pushed in.

Answer 3

He might've been abused before, or is simply not used to human contact. In any case, you've had him for the past 3-4 years.....whatever abuse he suffered in the past is history. Just continue loving him just as he is, bearing in mind that not all cats enjoy being carried and patted. He's just being his own individual unique self :)

Answer 4

It doesnt mean that the cat was abused. Ferral cats (cats in the wild) arent used to being around people. When they arent used to being around people then they tend to not be as affectionate like they would be if they grew up in a home with people. Chances are your cat isnt going to outgrow this. However, who knows, it could.

Answer 5

It is probably second or third generation Ferrell. Cat's are closer to wild then they ever are domesticated and revert back easier than most other animals. They are survivors and are highly resourceful in that way. It is probably just Ferrell and therefore would be hard to impossible to tame.

Answer 6

Probably not . we have a cat like that and we have had her since she was born. it took her 7 years to accually let us walk up to her and pet her . But we lost her in hurricane katrina. and i really miss her a lot. hope this helps


Jamie Sanderson

Answer 7

She was probably abused, or is just not used to human contact. If you raise a hand to pet her, does she back awway? If you want to socialize her, i reccomend getting treats, then she will come to you and you can pet her and get her to trust you.

Answer 8

Ya he might have been. Or he could just be scared of people because he could have been born a stray. If you want to gain his trust leave him kitty food and treats. I did that to a squirel with bread and peanuts and soon he would take them out of my hand! Good luck!

Answer 9

maybe, or he may be feral... or it may just be that as a rule cats aren't very trusting of strangers, especially if he's a stray. i'd say, let him see you handle your cat. be extra nice to your cat when he's around, get him/her to purr, play with him/her.. maybe the new cat will come join the fun. if he does, be gentle and don't get too personal all at once, respect his distance. if he wants to be picked up, or tickled, he'll let you know. play it by ear.

Answer 10

It could of been abused but mabe was a semi feral cat.