1. Identify the cat's fears so you can try to avoid them. The rescue agency may give you some idea of the type of abuse the cat suffered. If not, watch how she reacts and what she seems to fear most. Once you have identified what she fears, you can take steps to avoid exposing her to these things.
- When frightened, her eyes will dilate and the pupils become huge and dark. Her fur may stand on head, and she holds her tail straight and the fur is erect so it looks like a bottle brush. Her ears will go back and flatten against her skull.
- If she can run away she will likely scuttle away close to the ground, moving quickly. If she feels trapped she will arch her back, hiss and spit.
2. Avoid touching the cat in "no-go" areas. "No go" areas are not uncommon in abused cats. For instance, if a cat previously had her pelvis kicked and broken, she won't know being stroked over her hips is a pleasurable thing, but associate it with pain. Thus she is more likely to hiss when you go to touch her there, or try to flee.
- If you are aware of where she least likes to be touched, respect this and do not attempt to stroke her there. Do not persist in forcing physical contact with that area in the mistaken belief that she will get used to it.
- Perhaps in years to come she may let you, but until then you need to win her trust and that means doing exactly what she wants!
3. Cope with clingy behavior. Some rescued cats become clingy around their new owner. The owner represents safety, and the cat is fearful of being abandoned by you.
- If this is the case put some of your clothing in her cat bed so that she has your scent to comfort her.
- Sometimes it even helps to have another pet to keep her company. This also helps the abused cat because seeing you interacting gently with another animal reassures her.
4. Deal with any aggression. Some cats have been so badly abused they become aggressive. These cats can be dangerous as they may break regular cat rules of not lashing out unless provoked, and strike out just because you have approached. In her eyes, getting close to her may be provocation enough.
- Part of the difficulty with aggression of this sort is its unpredictability. These cats may not give you the typical warning signals of growling, hissing, swishing the tail, flattening the ears, and dilated pupils. Instead they may strike without warning.
- However, many of these cats can be won over with patience and time. Their aggression is based on fear and attacking is their best form of defense. It takes a combination of knowing there is no pressure for resources, and relearning to trust people in order for them to become less aggressive.
5. Consider safety first. You cannot force a cat not to be aggressive - again, it is a matter of teaching her that you are not a threat.
- If in doubt, back away from the cat, do not challenge her in order to prove you are not intimidated. That will end with you getting scratched or bitten, and one very angry cat.
- Instead, back off and let her calm down.
6. Use feline pheromones to lower the cat's stress levels. There are no miracle short cuts, but feline facial pheromones can at least help to lower the cat's stress levels.
- Pheromones are chemicals given off by the cat when she feels relaxed and happy. Cats naturally produce these pheromones to communicate with one another, but there are synthetic versions available (such as Feliway for purchase).
- Spray Feliway on her bedding, or use a Feliway diffuser in the room she spends the most time, as this helps to reassure her. The pheromones label the area as somewhere chilled and relaxed, a bit like playing relaxing music and infusing the air with lavender at a spa.
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