A large majority of cats that are maimed and damaged
have probably been abused. Most cat mental health damage is internal
and emotional as opposed to their physical appearance. Emotional and
internal cat mental health are the most difficult problems to fix. A
soft voice and a gentle touch are key elements when dealing with a cat
that has been abused. The cat needs to be made to understand that the
abuse has come to an end.
When dealing with a cat that has been
neglected, you should wait until he approaches you for affection.
Because the cat is confused and unsure of your intentions, you will
need to exercise extreme patience.
The cat will eventually feel
confident in approaching you if you convey to him that he has nothing
to fear from you. Let him smell you and pet him when he decided to come
to you. He will quickly learn that he can trust you and in time, he
will come to you when you call him. As this is a critical time, yelling
and raising your voice to your cat can add to his fragile emotional
state of mind.
Your cat will become lethargic or even mean if you
use incorrect methods of discipline. However, it is important to
understand that if a cat does become mean, it is not always a negative
thing. If a cat is mean, it shows that they care and are still
concerned about what happens to them. A lethargic cat, on the other
hand, is tougher to reach as they have lost the will to care.
Lack
of response, lack of playing or lack of eating properly are all signs
of a lethargic cat. The recommended method to inspire a lethargic cat
is to introduce a companion cat. Over a period of time, a lethargic cat
will soon desire attention. You should always use a gentile voice and
allow him to snuggle with you when this happens.
Give positive
reinforcement to your cat and praise him when you notice his behavior
improving. Be careful not to raise your voice or make sudden movements
as your cat is still recovering from a traumatic experience. You can
consider him returning to his normal self once he approaches you and
allows you to pet him again. Remember, this is a delicate situation and
requires the utmost of patience on your part.
Finally, if you do
have to discipline your cat, use a soft, gentile voice. If you are
patient and let the cat know that you are here to help him, he will
eventually recover and develop into a loving and warm companion.
