My cat jumps 2ft in the air every time he hears a loud noise?

Question

A friend of mine had a black kitten which they were cruel to especially her youngest son.She asked me to take it to the pound but i kept it.He is nearly 1yr old now and he is so afraid of people especially my youngest son.His name is Nicky,he plays with my other cat and the 3 dogs,sleeps inside with Cc and goes outside when he wants.Even if someone drops something he jumps,he is very alert. Sometimes he wont even let us pat him because he's scared.me and my daughter can pick him up,he hardley lets anyone else.My son adores him,he gets upset cause he cant pat Nicky,he runs away.Is their a way to show him that we are not going to hurt him,we have tried everything since he was a kitten.

Answer 1

He may or may not get over this. If he was as all mistreated, there could be lasting problems with him psychologically...I would keep working with him, hopefully someday he'll learn that he's ok and things are not out to get him.

Answer 2

It's amazing the way cats have unbelievable memories when it comes to how they've been mistreated, and by whom. It's a bummer for them AND for you, the new family.

Time might heal Nicky's wound somewhat. Just try to be consistent and patient. Most cats, unless they are incredibly laid back, tend to be high strung, and reactive, when it comes to things like loud noises.

As a general rule, cats and kids usually don't mix very well. My cats used to run for the HILLS when they would hear children in the house. Cats are mellow creatures, and they crave calm, but if they can be shown over a long period of time that children will not hurt them, the fear may pass.

It's going to be tough teaching Nicky that all children aren't bad, since he had a prior experience with his previous owner's child. A good thing to tell children is "Let the kitty come to YOU." Even the best natured children often tend to lurch at a cat, wanting to hug and love them, and that can really startle a cat, especially a kitten! As Nicky is allowed to approach on his own time, instead of BEING approached, he may mellow out.

Consistency--always being the same; constant kindness--is probably the best way to show Nicky you are not like the other "bad people." He may never outgrow the jumpiness, but in time, your actions will show him you love him, and that he is safe with you.

Answer 3

Cats are extremely sensitive. The best way to deal with them is by total gentleness especially if they have been abused. A kitten is pretty jumpy to begin with, but if you want to make friends with a cat, you almost have to put yourself into slow motion. Then you have to consider that the little furry won't totally calm down for a year or two. Patience! Another thing to consider is perhaps you and your daughter might be the preferred people in the cat's life. They pick and choose where they can get the most comfort and you have to give it. I for one never consider any of our animals as "pets". They are companions and fellow travelers on planet Earth. Unfortunately in my family all three cats picked me out as being their favorite human. Problem is I only have one lap!

Answer 4

Could be because of the ratbags who abused him. All cats associate loud noises with danger, and your kitty is probably extra nervous because of the bad experiences he had as a kitten. It may take a long time, but everybody in your family has to be extra nice to him so he will eventually regard humans as good, rather than evil. If the youngest son in your friend's family was exceptionally cruel you cat will regard small children as the worst villains.

Answer 5

I have a cat who is exactly the same way and never was treated mean. I got him at 7 weeks, he was so affectionate, now he is 3, doesn't like anyone to bother him, very nervous, jumps at sounds or just seeing something new in the room. He lets me pet him and occasionally pick him up for about a minute, but no one else. He is just very high strung and nervous, not sure why. I love him so much, I'd love to hold him more but they have different personalities just like we do. Accept him for who he is and just make his life as nice as possible.

Answer 6

He's traumatized because he was treated cruelly. Nicky should learn to trust your family over time, when he realizes no one is going to hurt him. Give him plenty of space. Make sure your kids know that if Nicky starts to get scared or does something like switch his tail back and forth, just leave him alone. Cats love attention so as long as you treat him well he'll get used to your family and will become attached to you.

Answer 7

My cat is 12 years old and has been like this all his life. I got him when he was 3 months old from our vet and the whole litter had been left newborn in the garbage can outside the vets office.
He has always been scared of everything, he has never liked to be held, he will stiffen out and then jump down and run away.
Cats traumatized when young don't overcome it in my experience.

Answer 8

Poor little baby that is horrible I don't know why some people are aloud to have animals. I agree with dressage though. You will just have to keep working with him. Have your son spend time with him while you are present. If Nicky is comfortable with you then maybe if you take time with your son to both play and love him overtime he may come out of it. I hope all works out.

Answer 9

Animals don't forget things that happened when they were little. So what he went threw he lives it over and over so yeah anything that might remind him of what happend he will freak nothing you can do but love him and when he jumps talk nice to him don't chase him let him know u wont hurt him. Also don't let your son run after him that will only make him more afraid.

Answer 10

I have a cat that got dumped on the side of the road when it was a kitten. My cat always jumps when she hears a loud noise.

Answer 11

it's really sad to heat that, but it really good he's in a better home now with you. anyways unfortunately i think it's going to be a very long time before he can get over everything that happened in the previous family. i have two cats and one of them we think was abused before we got her and we've had her for close to 13 years and it's only now that she's starting to warm up to us. before she would get scared and hide when people were over or when there was a loud noise(even if we sneezed) but over the last year she seems to finally realize that we aren't going to hurt her. so i guess for your situation the best healer you can have is time.