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Recently I saw an emotionally moving video of firefighters rescuing cats from burning buildings. In the footage, the terror on the faces of those cats was obvious, and their fear was palpable. It made me wonder, how did they recover after they were rescued? Were they ever the same?
Can our pets suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) like humans can?
What Exactly is PTSD?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is defined as “an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.”
In order to definitively diagnose a human being as suffering from PTSD, the person must meet the following criteria:
- Experience a traumatic event.
- Re-experiencing of the event through flashbacks or nightmares.
- Avoidance of distressing, trauma-related reminders (people, places, or objects) after the event.
- Hyperarousal (aggressive or unusual behavior, exaggerated startle response).
- Duration of symptoms lasting at least 1 month.
- Significant impairment of normal functioning.
PTSD has been well-documented in military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and first-responder medical emergency teams for years. But what about in pets?
Animals and PTSD
PTSD in dogs was first diagnosed in military and service dogs in 2009. According to Dr. Walter F. Burghardt Jr., Chief of Behavioral Medicine at the Daniel E. Holland Military Working Dog Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base, up to 10 percent of the 650 military dogs sent to Iraq and Afghanistan have developed canine PTSD. Of those, about half will probably be retired from service.
Recently, it’s been found that traumatic experiences can also cause household pets like dogs and cats to develop PTSD. (Some veterinarians believe it also exists in horses, to which I can personally attest after working closely with an abused horse). However, animal behaviorists are hesitant to conclusively state this, because they have been unable to prove scientifically that these animals have 2 of the defining criteria for PTSD: 1) Intrusive, repetitive thoughts about the trauma, and 2) nightmares related to the event.
Although we may never be able to know for sure how a pet feels or what they are thinking, we can certainly observe their behavior. Are they listless or withdrawn? Showing a loss of interest in playing or activities they used to enjoy? Have they lost their appetite, or are they agitated, anxious or restless? These are clinical signs of depression in people – so why is it so hard to accept that pets can also suffer from depression and/or PTSD?
And we know that animals do, in fact, dream…so accepting that some of those dreams may be nightmares certainly wouldn’t be much of a stretch.
Causes of PTSD in Pets
Any traumatic event can impact a pet’s psychological health. These can include abuse, abandonment, loss of a guardian, being housed in a physically stressful or horrific environment (such as a puppy mill), having survived a life-threatening disaster like a house fire or hurricane, being struck by a car, being attacked by another animal or predator, or being forced to survive a torturous existence like the dogs in dog fighting kennels.
These all cause psychological scars that can lead to the formation of PTSD, which may manifest months, even years, after the traumatic event.
Sadly, even some dogs and cats that have lived for long periods of time in shelter environments have been shown to exhibit PTSD symptoms. It’s important to keep in mind that the symptoms seen in shelter pets are not necessarily caused by being housed long-term, but more likely by traumatic events suffered before being admitted to the shelter.
These symptoms may not appear while the dog or cat is in the shelter (so the shelter or rescue group may not be aware of the condition), but may appear a few weeks after the rescued pet has settled into their new home. This can create a tragic cycle wherein the adoptive parent returns the pet to the shelter because they are unaware of why the pet is displaying the behavior, which can lead to further trauma and make the pet’s PTSD symptoms worse.
Symptoms in Pets
PTSD symptoms in pets can include:
- Uncharacteristic aggressiveness
- Fearfulness, trembling
- Increased agitation
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Reduced interest in playing, going for walks, or interacting with other pets and/or people
- Hypervigilance (an intense, “on guard” awareness of surroundings)
- Tendency to be easily startled
- Urinating or defecating inside (when previously housebroken)
- Increased neediness or attachment
- Unprovoked whining or crying
- Excessive barking or meowing
- Destructive behavior
- Extreme escape behavior to avoid a stressor (such as chewing through drywall to attempt to flee during a thunderstorm)
- Sudden changes in temperament
- Hiding for no reason
- Excessive panting
- Pacing
- Fear of being alone
- Sleep disturbances
- Avoidance of people, places, or things associated with a traumatic event
Treatment of PTSD in Pets
So can pets with PTSD be successfully treated?
Fortunately, the short answer is yes. However, treatment for any pet that suffers from PTSD can be challenging, and depends on the individual patient.
Military or service dogs are treated with time off from work, desensitization training, and drug therapy (clomipramine, fluoxetine and amitriptyline are most commonly used).
Pets such as dogs, cats, and horses can be treated with a combination of these techniques:
- Drug therapy.
- Exercise and play therapy (especially for dogs – those who have the opportunity to run, swim, or go through an agility course with their guardians seem to recover more quickly).
- Desensitization (this should only be done under the guidance of a trained animal behaviorist with experience in treating PTSD in pets).
- Providing mental exercise (through game toys, puzzle feeders, or obedience and trick training).
- Creating a safe, quiet place where the pet can get away from other pets and people.
- The use of supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids, L-theanine, and melatonin, along with certain pheromones believed to help relieve stress.
- Alternative treatments such as acupuncture.
If your pet is experiencing behavioral issues, you should first consult your veterinarian. If your pet is truly suffering from PTSD, your vet can refer you to a certified animal behaviorist, who can talk with you about your pet’s history and assess his condition. The behaviorist can then decide which behavior modifications (such as counter-conditioning, basic training, or exercises that you are able to do at home) are best for your pet.
Can PTSD in Pets Be Cured?
PTSD is not a disease; rather, it’s a behavioral change that can be corrected once a pet has been properly diagnosed.
In many cases, treated pets seem to return to normal, but for some, their condition must be managed over the course of their lifetime. According to Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, Director of Animal Behavior at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, the solution is more “management”, he says. “Dogs never forget.”
Many pets can go through tragic and traumatic events and emerge unscathed, but for those who have trouble dealing with the anxiety caused by their trauma, it’s important to understand how deeply their fear and anxiety can affect them. Patience and understanding is key, and it’s the best and most effective way to help them recover.
Have you ever had a pet that you suspect suffered from PTSD? If so, how did you deal with it? Please share your story with us in the comments below!
I’ve often wondered that myself. I saw an intriguing Ted Talk about animal depression and OCD (http://goo.gl/813v6j) that really make me question what we know about our animals emotions – they seem to be deeper than we thought. I’ve read a fair share of articles that do seem to support that animals can suffer from PTSD and it’s such a sad thought – they might be suffering more than we ever knew. Such a great topic – thank you so much for sharing.
I saw that talk too, it was fascinating! I’ve always been curious about the science behind this topic…I think our hearts and instincts tell us pretty clearly what’s going on, now we’re just waiting for science to catch up. In the meantime, I’ll continue to believe that animals’ emotional experiences are not so different from our own, and that just like in people, patience, love and understanding might truly have the power to heal some very deep wounds.
We adopted a dog that had been adopted out 2 times, returned or dumped then picked up as a stray in a rural community. He was hours away from being euthanized. He seemed to pick fights while housed in runs with other dogs. A teenage girl that volunteered at the shelter scraped together the money needed to adopt this dog. He lived with her for 2 years as an outside dog. He ran loose, was skittish, and had to compete for foodscraps thrown out of the back door, literally. He competed with 5 pitbulls for his food. He is an English Setter/Border Collie mix. Finally the girl’s mom took matters into her own hands, since she had never wanted him there in the first place and had him shot. Luckily from past experience he knew the sounds and took off running. He was hit in the rear right femur. The 22 bullet shattered his femur. For 4 days rescuers searched for him. When he was found he had a raging infection. When stabilized he was sent to a rescue that had his leg surgically plated and pieced together. In places bone did not touch bone. We took him in a couple of weeks after surgery to foster. We never let him leave and he is still with us. For the first year he had anxiety attacks where he drooled, trembled, ran in a panicked way, hid constantly and was very scared of everything. After a week or two he would return to the calm, happy dog we loved and adored. We had no idea what triggered these episodes. A thunder shirt, Lavendar essential oil, Melatonin, and Rescue Remedy were our routine. He would even “tell” me when he needed his thundershirt by nuzzling it (I kept it on my coffee table) then nuzzling my leg. Those were hard days and I felt so helpless in helping him. I am happy to say that those episodes still happen but less frequently and are more subtle. Thunderstorms still scare him, he did experience a tornado once as an outside dog at his previous home. So I expect storms to be an issue for all his life but after 5 yrs with us we know the Riley Drill. He lets us know still when he needs his harness (these days with healthy food he has a double coat of fur), Lavener oil on his collar, and Rescue Remedy. He gets Melatonin every night, it has helped even out those panic attacks and make them less severe. If needed for storms he gets another as needed. This has worked for us. Riley is now about 9 years old. He came to us when he was 3-4 yrs old. No telling what all he experienced in his earlier years. Today he is the sweetest, calmest, goofiest, most friendly dog. He gets along great with all dogs, cats and people. While not the easiest years they have been the sweetest years.
Oh my goodness…I can’t even imagine what it was like for this poor dog!! 🙁 What a horrific early life he had – talk about experiencing every possible evil there was to be had, and those were just the experiences you knew about!! I’m amazed that he even lets anyone near him after all of that.. truly incredible.
It fills my heart up to near bursting when I hear about dogs who have experienced such horrible trauma, and yet somehow manage to find their happy ending with people like you who are willing to put the time, effort, and love into helping them recover. It’s so interesting how Riley lets you know when he needs his Thundershirt, and how despite everything he’s been through he still gets along with other animals and people. What a testament to his temperament and ability to forgive! I’m so grateful that fate led you to each other, and that he finally has a home where he will be loved for the rest of his life. And I’m sure the lessons you’ve learned from him are just as precious! <3
Your story has touched my heart. You will be blessed for helping this sweet dog after all he has been through. Thank you for caring. I just took in a little kitty that has been traumatized. When I found her she was starved, dehydrated, had an abscessed foot and had just given up. I took her to the vet who fixed her foot and pretty much said that not knowing the history of this cat that it might be a good thing to let her go. I force fed her chicken broth and baby food for four days every two hours. Finally she decided to eat on her own. She has a long way to go. She has periods of time when she doesn’t want to eat and among other things runs when I open the door. She is afraid of everything except me. I see glimmers of hope for her and give her lots of love. It is a day by day process but with time I pray she will overcome her ordeal and be a happy little girl.
My cat is in recovery from surgery after a dog attack. She suffered multiple jaw, palate and skull fractures. She has a gofundme campaign for her bills, look up Izumi. She’s been with me 3 years and has had no reason for fears including of dogs bc my PTSD service dog, she and I live harmoniously. I’m nervous for when she comes home (the attack took place inside our home by a visiting dog being evaluated for fostering) that she may experience stress being back home. I’m ready to tackle whatever lies ahead for us so I’m reading everything I can find so thank you for this article.
I’m so sorry to hear about what happened to your kitty! What a terrible experience, for her and for you. 🙁 Hopefully she will not associate being home with what happened to her. If I had one piece of advice to offer, it would be that since cats are extremely sensitive to their environment and dependent on routine, I would suggest that when she comes home, the best thing you can do would be to minimize any changes in her world for awhile. This could include new visitors to your home, introducing her to new animals, or any situations that deviate from her normal routine and what she is used to. Cats take a lot of comfort in knowing what to expect, so to a nervous cat, something as simple as moving furniture around is enough to stress them out. If she knows that her world is safe and secure and that there are no surprises, it may help her deal with the trauma of what happened to her a little better. I hope she recovers quickly, and I wish you both the best!
Canine PTSD is not incurable.
I rescued a kitten who I found howling on the street in front of my house. Someone else was trying to help him, but he wouldn’t respond. I called him to come to me and he came running to me, crying at the same time. I kept him in my garage, not being sure if he was feral or not, and later that night moved him into my house when it seemed like he wanted to come out. He has been adjusting fairly well, but last night we woke me up with his crying. Half asleep, I told him as though he had spoken to me: “don’t worry, no one will ever throw you out in the middle of the cold night again.” After this, he stopped crying, cuddled up with me and started purring. I just knew somehow that was what was bothering him. I didn’t realize kittens/cats could get PTSD til then. I thought he trusted me but apparently the safer he feels, the more trust grows and it is like he is trying to tell me what happened. At least that is how I see it. It is so strange, I just feel it it my bones. I did not even question why he was crying.
What a beautiful, touching story! It’s clear that you both connected with each other right off the bat, and it’s easy to see why. When we’re open to really understanding how animals think and feel, and not making assumptions, it’s easy to see that we share a very wide range of the same emotions. Thank you for caring for this kitten, taking him in, and helping him overcome his trauma. He is very lucky to have found you!
My sweet Kiity Otis went missing in October, thought for sure I’d never see him again. Almost exactly a month later, my prayers were answered, my neighbors found my little miracle in their backyard, malnourished & Skinny, nearly starved to death. Had to be hospitalized for 2 days to get fluids pumped back into him. I don’t know what happened to him, I have a feeling he may have gotten locked up in someone’s garage or shed for a very long time & couldn’t find his way back home, bc he never left my side EVER. Anyway he is safe and sound now In the comfort of my home, probably never going to go outside again,lol. It has been nearly 3 months now that he has been back home, but my Sweet, playful, outgoing little angel is not the cat he used to be once before. He is still very loving, but very skiddish. VERY skiddish. He was always been a tad skiddish bc he was attacked by a dog when he was 6 months old & had to have his tail amputated, but nothing like he is now. He used to come running up to me every day, love on me, follow me everywhere, & take long naps like most kitties do. Now He will follow me from room to room, but when I lean down to pet him, he takes off running and goes to hide in the kitchen. I have to walk up very slowly to him now to even pet him, or have to be getting out his food for him to show any positive feedback or interest. He doesn’t move around much. He stays in certain spots in the kitchen under the table, & is constantly alert. I don’t know that he even sleeps. I have not seen him nap, or close his eyes to rest once since he’s been home. I bought a toy from petco the other day, (the kind with the fluffy feathers attatched to the end of a string),figuring maybe if i play with him that’ll get him back in better spirits, he always LOVED to play. But he wanted nothing to do with the toy, in fact he is absolutely terrified of it and runs away everytime I bring it to his attention. I fear that he is suffering from PTSD, and it makes me want to cry. I just want my sweet baby to be the same little kitty he used to be. He is young, only 4 years old. I pray that time will make it better, but I don’t know if there is anything I can be doing in the time being to help him progress. 🙁
Kristi, I am so sorry to hear about Otis’ experience, poor little guy! 🙁 I’m so happy he is home with you now and safe. He was obviously traumatized by whatever happened, and the hard part is that you have no idea specifically what he went through, so it’s going to be difficult to pinpoint any one thing that may be frightening him. My guess is that it’s probably a combination of stressors due to everything that happened that’s making him fearful now. All the things you mentioned, particularly the hypervigilance (being nervous, not being able to relax or sleep, on high-alert all the time), are all signs of post-traumatic stress in both animals and humans.
For Otis, I think the biggest factors in helping him recover are going to be time, patience, and consistency. It can take animals a very long time to feel confident and comfortable again after a trauma. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to support him and to try to make him feel safe, so just keep giving him lots of love, time, and patience.
Also try to minimize anything that could make him feel insecure (loud noises, changes in the house or in your schedule, etc.) Since cats don’t do well with change, the more consistent a routine you can provide for him, the better. He needs to know that his world won’t be turning upside down again anytime soon. And if you aren’t doing so already, I would strongly suggest making Otis an indoor-only kitty and keeping him inside. Not only will his world feel safer and more controllable, but you’ll know for sure he won’t be able to disappear again!
So as long as he’s eating and seems otherwise healthy, I would just recommend to keep doing what you’re doing – giving him time and love, and making him feel as safe as you can. Hopefully time will be the healer and he will be able to become more trusting again. Keep in mind this can take months (maybe longer), but as long as he’s making progress, you’re moving in the right direction. It will be on his timeline, and that’s okay. 🙂
Thank you so much Camille, you have no idea what a weight has been lifted off my shoulders hearing you say those things. You hit the nail on the head on every point. He is definitely a forever inside cat now, so he will never get out of my sight again, my poor baby has been through enough. I so appreciate you giving such wonderful comforting advice, I have never gone through anything like this before, nor did I even know where to turn, so it’s nice to hear a professional opinion. I will keep loving him unconditionally and providing everything he needs to make him feel at peace again. I will say a prayer that the good lord blesses you for taking the time to help comfort me in a time of need. These animals are my children & I’d go to the moon & back for them. So Thank You, again, from the bottom of my heart. 🙂
You are so welcome, I’m glad I could help! And thank YOU for the kind words, that means more to me than you know. Wishing all the best to both you and Otis, you are very lucky to have each other! 🙂
Thanks so much for your article! In my work as a cat behaviorist, I recently met a new kitty client who had several of the symptoms of PTSD. Her guardian came to me for advice on how to better the relationship between her and another cat in the home, but upon digging, I found that she had had a fairly intrusive medical procedure and had spent 10 days in a vet hospital. Her PTSD symptoms started after this, not when the other cat joined the home (some time before). My observations lead me to believe that yes, animals experience PTSD. But this can arise from things that are stressful/traumatizing from the animal’s point of view…not necessarily what humans would consider horrific (all of the causes you listed were indeed horrific, but I’m sure there are many other things that our domestic animals would consider to be traumatic as well). We need to be very careful because even though we may be doing things to help our pets, the stress that can be inflicted upon them can be quite damaging. It’s difficult to see things from their point of view, and we need to weigh the pros and cons in any given situation as best we can.
Thank you Marci, you make excellent points! I know cats in particular can be extremely sensitive to traumatic events, even ones that humans wouldn’t necessarily consider traumatic. Spending an extended period of time in a veterinary hospital or a shelter situation can (and does) undoubtedly affect them, and some animals seem to be impacted more than others. When I was in veterinary practice, we took great pains to minimize the noise, stress, and overall scariness for our patients, but the veterinary hospital by nature can be loud and frightening, especially when pets are separated from their guardians. That’s why I’m so happy about programs like Dr. Marty Becker’s “Fear Free Initiative” for veterinary hospitals, which completely redesign the hospital environment to be less frightening and stressful for patients.
Animals do view the world differently than we do, and we definitely need to be sensitive to things that can make a lasting negative impression on them!
Our shelter took in a 2 yo cat who had been abused and neglected since kittenhood. He was fostered for awhile and came in much better but still scared of certain noises and motions. We have eliminated this type of stress from his environment. Within a few weeks he had taken to some of the volunteers who he allowed to pat him and he would approach them for loving. Now he attacks the legs of anyone who walks near him, runs around and plays like a crazy cat. He resists touch and lashes out, scratching and biting, at the same volunteers he liked before. It appears his feral nature from not being socialized is taking over. He’s not caged and basically fine with other cats in his room. We still love him, talk to him in a calming manner and play with him but he’ll never get adopted until we can socialize him. I’m sure PTSD plays a big role in his personality. Should we try medication? We haven’t been able to find another foster home for him and don’t have access to an animal behaviorist. Thank you.
Hi Marie! First, thank you so much for all that you’re doing to help this little guy have a chance at a long and full life. I can’t imagine what he’s had to overcome to make it as far as he has. Before I share my thoughts on his situation, I would first suggest getting some expert advice from a qualified veterinarian. If the vets you work with at the shelter aren’t able to help, perhaps there is another vet that would be willing to give you some counsel at no charge? Since I’m not an animal behavior expert, I think that would be a great first step.
That being said, I’m happy to share a few thoughts (just my own personal opinions) regarding this kitty. First, as I’m sure you know, since almost all animals behave differently in a shelter situation than they would in a stable home, it’s extremely difficult to assess their behavior in a shelter setting. Even though you’ve tried to eliminate scary things from his environment, cats (especially ones who’ve had little socialization) are extremely sensitive and reactive to stress. Although he appears to get along fine with the other cats, there could be some social hierarchy things going on that might not be immediately identifiable. Also, if he is fearful by nature (which some cats are, whether they were feral or not), his reactions may simply be coming from a place of fear. If he were taken out of the shelter environment and placed in a home where it was quiet and there was structure, a routine schedule, and a smaller number of people around him, he may be a completely different cat. However, obviously the challenge you have is that it’s much harder to place him since he is so skittish, and potential adopters are less likely to take a chance on him.
Since he’s still relatively young, his getting revved up and attacking legs very well could be over-excited play behavior that could be redirected, and someone who is able to work with him for awhile in a home setting may be better able to assess what’s truly going on with him. I wouldn’t be a big fan of using medication in this scenario, since there are so many factors at work here that it’s hard to know for sure what’s setting off his lashing out behavior. Somehow, I think if there was a way to get him out of the shelter environment so that his environment could be more carefully controlled, you might see a very different cat.
I have 2 previously feral cats of my own, whom I socialized over a VERY long period of time. Their feral mama brought them into my backyard when they were around 12-14 weeks old, and they obviously had had no human interaction prior to then. I worked with them for months out in the backyard before I was able to trap them, have them neutered, and bring them inside, and even after that, it took YEARS for them to come out of their shells and learn how to completely trust me. Now they are the sweetest, most loving boys ever, but that process took a tremendous amount of consistency! Hopefully, if you are able to come up with a way to get this little kitty into a quieter environment or a long-term foster home where he feels truly safe and not threatened, it may make all the difference for him. Not an easy solution I know, but I think it would be the best one for him!
Thank you so much for your reply, I completely agree with you. It’s heartbreaking what so many animals go through, We could not find another foster home for him. Although we hated moving him again, another shelter offered to take him, evaluate him, get him into their foster program and get him the help he needs. He will always have a home with us if it doesn’t work out.
That’s great to hear he has another chance at a foster home through the other shelter, AND that he can come back to you if he needs to. I definitely think a quiet, loving foster environment would give him the best chance at settling into his true personality and developing behavioral patterns that would make him better suited to a forever home. I’m really pulling for him! Please keep me posted! 🙂
Great news – he was adopted by a loving person who will work with him and give him as much time as he needs to adjust.
That’s fantastic news!! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear it…that kitty definitely deserves a chance, and what a wonderful opportunity for him to get a chance to blossom into a confident, happy cat! Thank you so much for the update, Marie… all the best to you and your colleagues at the shelter who work so hard making sure that every animal has a chance and that every life matters. <3
I adopted a kitty that was rescued from firefighters, as someone started a fire in an abandoned place and the cat mom would try to take each kitty out and go back into the fire until they were rescued. Some didn’t make it, others had to get a tail amputation. My kitty was burnt in his tail and his face, but not too bad. I had just lost a cat to cancer and felt I needed to give all the love i had for her to another kitty that really needed me. My kitty is 6 months now. teething, whiskers growing back out, the tip of his tail has no hair yet, and he is not aggressive at all. He is so smart that he is the most loving cat as if he knew what we did for him. Whenever he gets scared, he jumps to my lap. The only thing I have noticed is that he can’t stand being alone, he gets very sad and waits by the door, just like a dog.
Your kitty sounds amazing! The fact that he doesn’t run and hide when he gets scared, but jumps right up into your lap tells me that not only does he trust you completely, but you also obviously have a very special bond with him. Bless his little heart!!
Thank you for this article! After a traumatic run-in with an outside cat (albeit through the window screen) our little princess has been a completely different cat! She aggressively attacked my spouse about 2 days after the window incident (he was gardening and we suspect he may have picked up the scent of the intruder from the window) and we attributed the attack to “redirected aggression” and hoped that would be it … Sadly it hasn’t been. Our once outgoing and playful kitty is now terrified of her own shadow. She has been unpredictably aggressive to the point we have to corral her to the lower half of the house using a towel or she will attack us. She’s visible on edge, fearful, anxious and no longer plays or interacts with us like she used to. The only time she does it when we get in bed at night/in the morning and then she is extra affectionate; which I love BUT I suspect is another symptom of the potential PTSD. Do you think the altercation in the window and the scent would be traumatic enough to trigger PTSD? We’ve tried Feliway, behaviour modification, play routines and nothing seems to be snapping her out of it which makes me think its more than just the redirected aggression. We’ve been to the vets and she has a clean bill of health. I’m likely going to start her on Prozac tomorrow and see how we fair with that. We also have a certified behaviourist coming to the house tomorrow night so we will see how that goes. I just feel awful for how I can tell she is feeling; I don’t want her to be terrified to live!
Hi Stacey, I’m so sorry to hear about your little girl! 🙁 Her behavior certainly sounds like redirected aggression, which can linger for quite awhile… whether it’s PTSD or not, it’s hard to say since it’s so difficult to accurately diagnose it in pets. That being said, personally I think it’s very possible for a traumatic incident like her altercation through the window to cause PTSD behavior. I recently attended a conference, and in one of the sessions Dr. Marty Becker spoke about the Fear Free Initiative (which is a movement to change the way veterinary offices currently operate in order to make them less scary to dogs and cats). During the session, I was surprised to hear Dr. Becker say that recent research indicates severely traumatic or frightening incidents cause actual changes to the physical and chemical makeup of the brain, and these changes are permanent. That’s not to say that fear can’t be lessened over time, but the physical changes to the brain remain.
I think you are on an excellent path with everything you’re doing to help your kitty. I’m a big believer in using appropriate anti-anxiety medications and therapies for dogs and cats when they’re struggling with things like what you’re describing. It’s heartbreaking to see it, and like you said, you don’t want them to feel constantly terrified! I hope the feline behaviorist is able to offer some help as well. Will you please keep me posted and let me know how things are progressing? Hopefully the combined total of all the things you’re doing to help, along with the passage of time, will allow your kitty to recover and be back to her affectionate self full-time again. Sometimes it can take lots of time and a great deal of patience, but will be worth the effort in the end!
I work with dogs, not cats. But yes, there’s a real possibility that PTSD can cause brain damage similar to that found in traumatic brain injury. However, I believe it IS reversible. It just takes time and the right approach to healing your kitty’s emotional wounds.
http://canineptsdblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/does-ptsd-cause-brain-damage-in-dogs.html
Outdoor cats and strays are always on the defensive. Their first goal is to protect themselves, guard their territory and food source. It’s how they survive. Indoor pets are also territorial and smelling or seeing another cat in their space is tramatic. It’s quite possible the intruder’s scent continues to permeate your cats territory. The other cat could have marked/sprayed an area that you walk through and the scent is on your shoes, or by a window where a breeze carries it into your house. The cat could be coming back. If the scent is strong enough your cat could believe the intruder has entred your home.
There are sprays you can use (Spirit Essences) to counteract the scent. You can spray around that window or wherever the other cat may have left it’s scent. You can block access to the room/window where the original contact occurred. You can spray outside with a detractant in case the other cat is still coming around. You could take daytime breaks/naps so kitty will come to bed with you more often. All in all, I agree that anti anxiety medication will help, Tons of patience and consistency will be needed. I’m curious what your behaviorist will say. Good luck, sounds like you’re totally invested in helping your pet through this.
Excellent points, Sharon! Even if the cat never returns, its scent can hang around for a long time, especially if it sprayed near the window or on the outside of the house. It would be worth taking a walk around the outside perimeter of the house to see if you can spot any vertical places where any cats may have sprayed. We used to have a tomcat in our neighborhood who, for awhile, loved to spray our front door several times a week. The urine was easy to spot, so I made sure I cleaned it off as quickly as possible. You can use soap and water first, following up with a commercial urine enzymatic cleaner to neutralize the odor. Checking outside areas periodically would definitely be worth your time while your kitty is recovering from her ordeal!
My cat Sophie who is almost 14 was recently attacked by a pitbull who was brought into my home when I wasn’t there. She went out a 3rd floor window to escape. She suffered puncture wounds to her stomach, hip, and neck. She lost most of her back claws defending herself. The vet said her stomach twisted in the fall but that it would correct itself. I am thankful she is still with me and her outside wounds are healing and she is walking better. But she barely eats anything and isn’t interested in the treats she used to enjoy. I moved to get her away from that environment and she seems depressed. I don’t know what to do she’s my baby and I want to help her..I feel so guilty I wasn’t there to protect her and I am so afraid of losing her.
Betty, I am so very sorry to hear about the horrible and heartbreaking incident that Sophie experienced. 🙁 I’m so glad she survived and is still here with you! However, I’m sure it was extremely traumatic for both of you, and you will both need time to recover.
You didn’t mention how long it’s actually been since the incident, but there are probably several things contributing to Sophie not acting like her usual self. First, the physical pain she’s no doubt experiencing as she heals from her injuries could definitely be causing her to appear depressed and decreasing her appetite. Just like us, older animals take longer to heal and recover from injury, so hopefully with time the pain will subside and she will start to feel more like herself again. That being said, I’m sure there’s a big emotional component to her recovery too. Something that traumatic can affect animals just like it can people, and she will need lots of time, reassurance, compassion, and support while she recovers. Giving her lots of love and attention (which I’m sure you’re already doing), along with providing a very consistent routine to help make her feel more safe and secure is a good start. If she’s hesitant to eat, unless she’s on a special restricted diet, you can try offering her lots of kitty comfort food (things like soft cooked chicken, wet cat food, or Gerber’s chicken or turkey human baby food) – anything that she really loves. And don’t hesitate to talk with your vet (or, if you can, consult a veterinary feline behavioral specialist) about other things that you can do to help Sophie form more positive associations with the world around her.
Most importantly, please don’t blame yourself for what happened to Sophie. You would have certainly tried to prevent what happened if you could, but unfortunately we can’t be with our babies 24/7 and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. What’s important is that you’re here for her now throughout her recovery when she really needs you! Hopefully with time she will heal, both physically and emotionally. Just keep a close eye on how much she’s eating and drinking, and watch for any other physical issues that you think should be addressed by your vet. My heart goes out to both of you, and I’m hoping for a complete recovery for Sophie. Please keep me posted – you’ll both be in my thoughts.
Thank you so much for your reply..it has been about 6 weeks since the incident..l got her to eat a few bites of turkey today and she is drinking a little water..thank you for your kind words and suggestions..
My cat was traumatized by a clinic staff person in April 2015 and suffered long lasting permanent effects. Getting the cat to the vet office was easy and very low stress prior to the trauma; however, subsequent vet office visits were nothing short of HORRIFYING for the cat. I had to take him to the vet six times since and every time was pure horror for the cat. I did everything possible to remove or minimize ALL stressors, but I could not remove the root cause of his stress – the vet staff and office. I could not afford to take him elsewhere, as this particular vet allowed me to make monthly payments. This vet office design and facilities would be state of the art if the year was 1965! Sadly, I had to put him to rest this week and he suffers no more. This decision came after being strung along by a fresh out of school junior vet. Finally I wised up and said enough. I had to educate this young vet that Prednisone decreases the effectiveness of insulin, so it’s one or the other but not both. The vet debrided a shoulder absess on Tues.THEN did the blood work on Wed. which revealed the cat is now diabetic at 600 and his blood platelet count was down to zero! She never suggested euthanasia BEFORE the surgery when she should have considered everything considering all the cat’s problems and his PTSD, fear, and extreme stress ( HE is a 7 year old Orange Tabby who are the poster children of stressed out cats) and the blood work should have occured before surgery. No, she waited until the next day at 12:25 pm when she said “we need to put this cat on insulin.” So the owner had to set her straight about the Prednisone/Insulin problem, after needlessly putting the poor creature through surgery and overnight stress in the backroom kennel. Incompetance, inexperience, lack of supervision, and insensitive describes the vet. True to form the euthanasia proved as nonprofessional as could possibly be. The gross insensitivity of the vet and staff was horrible throughout the entire experience for both pet and owner. My cat had only the look of horrific fear in his eyes which I will see forever! The end of life ‘closet’ room is exactly six feet from the front desk and the constant noise at 5:30 pm was LOUD! MY POOR CAT WAS FRIGHTENED. IT WAS A BAD FINAL 29 HOURS AND A HORRIBLE EUTHANASIA. Point is, shop around for a great vet staff, before you get a pet and/or before your pet needs a vet Ask many questions. If they don’t cooperate, just leave. I will live with crushing guilt for what my cat went through for six visits and his last 29 hours this week. But you can be proactive and prevent a similar nighnightmare for your pet. Remember, if it doesn’t feel or sound right, it ain’t right! So run and go elsewhere. Take charge, don’t take no for an answer, be the boss over the situation. Your pet is helpless and it is Your responsibility to protect your dear pet from quacks and junior vets.
JD, I am so very sorry about what happened to your cat…my heart is absolutely breaking reading this. You bring up many excellent points about shopping around for a good vet and feeling comfortable with both the vet and the staff before you actually need them, and listening to your instincts when it comes to veterinary care. I’m so sorry you and your kitty had to go through such a traumatic experience, but am very grateful you took the time to share your story so that hopefully someone else can avoid the heartbreak you went through. Unfortunately, there are some veterinary clinics out there that, for whatever reason, don’t have the level of training, access to the latest information, and/or clinical experience that allows them to provide the best care. It really highlights how important it is to shop around for a veterinary clinic that not only has the latest technology at their disposal, but also a loving and caring staff. I would also add that, even if you truly love your vet, it doesn’t hurt to have an equally good backup vet selected in case something happens with your current vet, or if you ever need a second opinion.
And I know it’s easier said than done, but PLEASE don’t blame yourself for being the victim of substandard care. From reading your words I can see that you are an educated, caring owner, and I know how much guilt you must be feeling over what happened. We often walk a difficult tightrope between our present financial circumstances and wanting to provide the best care possible, and I know you made the best decisions you could during a very difficult situation. It might be a small consolation, but hopefully knowing that you did everything you could for your kitty despite the poor care he received, and that you were right there with him throughout his illness and up until his last moments, will help you release some of that guilt. Thank you so much for writing, and please accept my deepest condolences and heartfelt wishes for peace.
My wife and I left our kitty at home for 3 weeks while we traveled. A known person in his life came in every day to feed and say “hi” to him. When we got home, he was skin and bones. He stopped eating. We took him to the vet and she said we had two options – hook him up to tubes for $100’s of dollars (and would be temporary) or realize he’s terminal and euthanize him. We were struck dumb! He’s our kitty – for over 10 years. We did not know at the time that he was 100% traumatized from abandonment. It was horrible time for us! According to the vet, he was terminal, “why let him suffer?” the vet said. So, we went into hospice mode. Holding my kitty during his last hours, I thought “he’d might like some cream or cheese?” His last meal before taking him in…. He liked the cream – all of it. He ate a bit of cheese. Didn’t get near his regular food. My wife thought, “raw liver?” “raw fish?”. We had some raw frozen fish and cut it up in small pieces – he devoured it. We then went out and got some raw liver – devoured that. In a nutshell, kitty chowed down the top-grade food and is coming out of his trauma with lots of love from his peeps. Anyway, the vet said nothing about how to help him get over being left too long. We came within a hairbreadth of putting him down which was completely unnecessary. We are still upset – and we won’t leave him again. He’s traveling with us from now on. We had no idea what being left alone most of the time did – now we know.
First of all, I’m SO glad you didn’t euthanize your kitty!! I’m not sure why the veterinarian didn’t recommend a plan to rehabilitate him and get him eating again (since the IV’s would have actually provided support while his body recovered on its own, so this would not have been a “temporary” fix), but I’m glad you were able to get him to start eating again on his own and that he’s doing so well! You bring up a good point in that a person’s first reaction upon seeing their cat in such a drastic state after being left with a pet sitter would be to blame the pet sitter for not feeding the cat, but many cats get so agitated at being left (no matter who’s watching them) that they just stop eating altogether. Where it becomes a bad situation is when the pet sitter doesn’t seek veterinary help once the cat stops eating, since this can create all kinds of problems for the cat’s body very quickly. I’m very relieved that your kitty rallied and didn’t suffer any lasting physical effects…hopefully he will continue to improve and be with you for many more years!
I think my cat might have PTSD. She set her tail on fire as a kitten with a candle and now if we light a candle (and sometimes we don’t even have to do that) she starts chewing on her tail until it bleeds. She has been doing it for about 3 months.
Oh, poor baby. 🙁 Have you had her checked by a veterinarian to make sure there isn’t something else going on with her tail? If she checks out okay physically, it’s possible her tail-chewing is indeed from stress. Cats will also chew their tails out of boredom, separation anxiety, or in response to something in their environment that’s making them nervous or afraid. Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe a low dose of anti-anxiety medication for her to help stop the behavior. It might be worth trying!
i have adopted a 9yo cat from the pound. she was there for 16 days before i adopted her. i have had her for a month now. she is always under the bed. i havent been able to go near her or even see what her face looks like besides when i went to pound to adopt her. she only comes out to eat/drink/potty. i have another cat who is 14yo. its like they now have their own side of the apt. my older cat felt depressed for awhile that i go another cat. i recently experienced the death of my 13yo cat and both cats been together since kitten hood. so we both have depression from losing the other cat. this was in june. i decided to get another cat that i was ready for another. i have never got a pet from a pound so i dont know what to do. she runs even when i talk in loving voice to her. when i go into the bedroom i always talk to her whether i can see her or not. my old cat hisses at her when new cat comes near but other then that she just lets other do whatever. its been a month now. do i just wait her out or do i force her out from under the bed? i dont know what happen to her the first 9yrs of her life.
Texas Girl
Hi Teresa! First, thank you for adopting an older cat and giving her a second chance. Older pets have a much harder time getting adopted, so it’s wonderful that you opened up your heart and home to her!
Regarding her behavior, it can take a long time for cats to learn to adjust to a new environment. Some cats can take anywhere from months up to a year (or longer) to fully make the adjustment. It sounds like you are doing everything right by talking to her and reassuring her, so I would encourage you to continue to do that, even if you don’t see a positive reaction at first. Spending time in close proximity with her, letting her get used to your scent and your voice, will help. Also, I would suggest gently encouraging her to play with you, as playing is one of the best ways to build confidence in cats. A wand toy (one with a string and a feather or mouse on the end) would work well for this, since you can slide it under the bed to entice her to play. Also, try to keep to a daily routine, as cats find comfort in routines (i.e. try to feed her, visit with her, and play with her at the same times each day). Treats also work well! Try to coax her out from under the bed in small baby steps with treats. Cats quickly make positive associations with people when there is food involved.
Mostly, just be patient and give her time. Cats often take longer to warm up to new people or other pets than dogs do. I would not force her out from under the bed, as she is still learning her way around her new home and this could be traumatic for her. Do what you can to interact with her by playing and giving her lots of treats and love. The fact that your other cat does not try to bully or attack her is great news… in time, they may eventually become the best of friends. Good luck, and please let me know how it goes!
Ty for encouragement. New baby is name babsy. I coax her out by moving the food/water bowls farther from little at a time til now she eats at the cat table. My other cat named princess. She is 14yo. Why I wanted older cat. She got depressed and quit eating. When I put a bowl by my computer where I am most of time. She eats now. Babsy comes out when I’m asleep. For last two wks she been coming to eat/drink when I’m awake at computer. She won’t let me move around her she runs but stop doing that for me talking to her. She keeps eating.
That’s good progress! It may seem like it’s taking a long time, but keep moving in the right direction. Every cat is different, and we need to do things on their individual timeline. In time I think Babsy will come around and be much more comfortable in her new home. Best of luck to you both!! 🙂
Thanks for these articles on pet PTSD. We found our Roxie cat roaming last March, maybe 4-5 months old. Took her in , nobody claimed her. She gets very aggressive towards us if she is sleeping and hears something, to set her off in fight or flight mode. No flight however, she attacks me or my husband, not our other cats. My problem is… She needs to be spayed, and I am afraid it will make her worse. She can be affectionate and does play on her terms. She was probably beat up by our neighbor cat before we grabbed her, she gets worked up when she sees him outside. I never give up on my strays, but this one has me baffled.
Hi Sandie…First, it’s great that you rescued Roxie and got her off the streets! Since you don’t know anything about her background, it’s hard to say if she was a previously-owned stray or a feral kitty, which could explain why she is so nervous about perceived threats like strange noises or other cats (cats are extremely territorial with other cats). Regarding spaying her, my advice is to go ahead and get that done as soon as possible. Spaying her will not make her more aggressive; in fact, it should make her more comfortable since she’s not dealing with all those hormone fluctuations in addition to her other challenges.
Since she is still young, her behavior may settle down as she continues to adjust to her new home with you. In the meantime, one of the best things you can do is to build her confidence and help her to feel more secure. You can do this through playing with her for at least 15 minutes daily, preferably using a wand toy (wand with a string on the end connected to a feather or other toy) to protect your hands. I don’t know if anyone knows for sure exactly why allowing cats to exercise their hunting instincts builds their confidence, but I can assure you that it does! I have 2 previously feral cats that this worked wonders for. Also, try to keep to a routine (cats love routines and schedules) and try to limit her visibility for awhile to other cats outside. In time, hopefully your patience and investment in her will pay off and she’ll start to become much calmer. This can take many months (for some cats, it can literally take years, like it did with one of my feral boys), but it will be worth it in the end. And remember, getting her spayed as soon as possible will help! Good luck!! 🙂
Thanks for the confident response : ). I won’t give up and I will schedule spay ASAP. She has potential, I trimmed her claws the other day which helps my fears…
That’s great! I’m still working on that with my 8-month old kitten!
I just found this site and hope I can get additional advice! 🙂 I have taken in a very traumatized cat. She is about 4 years old and in her short life has had many tragic events. She and her two other sisters have lived in a large shed with a small outside cattery. They had to live there because the woman who rescued them is allergic to cats. She gave them lots of love and attention.
When Swiffer was around 2 years old, she got out of the shed and was lost in the forest for 6 months! She came back skinny and scared. She then became addicted to food and wouldn’t go near the door to the outside!
About a year ago, her person got cancer. When she got on Hospice about 4 months ago, I tried to find homes for the cats with no success. I even had a small shed built with a nice size cattery on the back in case she died and the cats had nowhere to go. But then we decided since the local Humane Society is a no kill shelter, to take them there.
When my friend went to gather them up, Swiffer was so scared, she was able to hid in a place no one could get her. So her siblings left and she was alone. They were very bonded, slept and played together. Especially since they didn’t live in a house with humans, they were with each other the most. So this was trauma number two!
My friend wanted to get Swiffer and bring her to the house to try to tame her more so she would be adoptable. But she died before she could do this. Trauma number three! About a week later, my friend’s boyfriend trapped Swiffer and took her to the animal shelter. When I found out I rescued her. Trauma four and five!
I had to put her in my shed (Nicely insulated with carpet, futon and desk as I was planning on having it as my writing studio!)
She was petrified! I spend hours squeezed as far as I could get under the futon where she huddled, to pet her. She did let me do this. I also decided to sleep with her. She wouldn’t get on the futon so I pulled it out from the wall which gave me about 3 feet to put a sleeping bag. It has been almost 4 weeks and she is bonded with me. She snuggles with me at night, loves to purr and go out in the cattery at night and I hear her running on the ramps I put there. She is still more skittish during the day but will lay with me.
OK, now the problem. Even though she acts pretty normal, grooms, pees and poops etc. BUT she won’t eat!! I have offered every brand and flavor on the market (seems like it!). She will eat some dry treats. I have measured and she will eat maybe 1/4 of a cup a day. She only eats maybe 6 bites at a time. She doesn’t gobble all in one setting.
I have been syringe feeding 40cc’s once or twice a day hoping it will keep her a little hungry. I put extra supplements in via “Supplical”. The amazing thing is how normal she acts. Peppy, climbs cat trees to look out the window. jumps on the back of the futon, and as I said above, grooms, drinks water, purrs, snuggles…every thing but eat. She has just lost her appetite! I read some where that it could take 6 weeks for it to come back! Any advice?? I haven’t slept well in 3 weeks as she is most active at night! 🙂
Hi Ann! (First, please forgive my delayed response, as I was experiencing a technical issue with my website that has since been resolved!)
Oh my goodness, Swiffer. This poor little girl has had more upsets in the last few years than many cats have in their entire lives! Considering all she’s been through, it’s indicative of her sweet and gentle nature that she can still trust people. I think it’s wonderful that you’ve spent so much time and effort trying to help her have a good life!!
Regarding her food intake, it’s not unusual for cats (even ones who aren’t skittish) to only eat a few bites of food at a time and come back later, and many cats just aren’t hearty eaters, yet they still do well. Is Swiffer a small kitty? How is her body condition? Does she look very thin? My youngest cat is a tiny girl, only about 6 pounds, and she eats this way….but still maintains her weight and is healthy. It’s possible that this just may be normal food intake for Swiffer right now, since she is probably still adjusting and may need a little more time to feel comfortable and confident enough to have a healthier appetite.
You mentioned that you’re syringe feeding her 40 cc’s once or twice a day…is that canned cat food? 40 cc’s is actually a pretty good amount of food for a cat, so she’s probably getting quite a bit of her caloric intake from that. However, since syringe feeding is only meant to be temporary (and can sometimes have diminishing returns if the cat comes to dislike the process), you’ll probably want to start weaning her off of that if you can. If she’s still eating something on her own (no matter how small), it’s better to try other options than the syringe feeding. One option is to try offering her some warmed up human chicken baby food and see how she likes it (just make sure it’s a brand with no rice, onions, or garlic added – Gerber makes a good one called “chicken & chicken gravy” that I use with my cats). Most cats, even the picky eaters, seem to love chicken baby food (we used it in the veterinary clinic with cats who simply would not eat, and had great success). If she likes it, you can gradually add it in with her other cat food and see how she does. Also, if you’re not already doing this, try to keep food out for her at all times if possible. Many cats eat better overnight when it’s quiet, they’re alone, and they don’t feel anxious about eating. I also wrote an article containing other tips for getting pets to eat that you can find here that might be helpful: https://www.goodpetparent.com/2015/04/18/anorexia-pets/
The fact that Swiffer is acting like a normal cat in every other respect (playing, running, grooming, drinking, and normal pee and poop), AND the fact that she is progressing very nicely in her interactions with you, leads me to believe that she may come around with her appetite on her own. It’s been my experience with cats that if they’re stressed, they can be off their feed sporadically for weeks at a time, but seem to have a much better appetite once they’re relaxed.
That being said, you may want to consider having her checked out by your vet also, just to make sure there’s nothing else happening that we don’t know about. Although a vet exam will probably be another stressful experience for her, it will be quick, and it will give you the peace of mind that there’s nothing else happening with her health that needs to be addressed.
I hope this helps! Will you please keep me posted and let me know how she does? You obviously have a very big heart and a deep love for her, and I’ll be sending positive thoughts to both of you and hoping that she not only continues to do well, but she’ll get the happy ending to her story that she so obviously deserves! <3
I got a cat that is 11 years old. and yesterday she was scared by a stray cat that run into my house. she was so scared that she pee and poo around while they are having a fight. after that incident, she never start eating, she dont want to walk out of my room for the whole day. She is just sitting at one corner, the fur on her body is all up and she just don’t want to move. So today when I came home, I bring her some wet food and water, she eats a little bit of it and did not drink the water, but she continue sitting at that corner and later on, I realize that she pee-ed at the spot where she is sitting. can i know what can i do? I can’t get her out of the house as that will increase her stress. what should i do?
Hi Pam, I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your kitty! She must have really been terrified. 🙁 Hopefully she wasn’t injured in the fight with the other cat… if you suspect that she was, you’ll probably want to have the vet check her out to make sure she’s okay and that she doesn’t have any wounds. If she is physically okay, the next step would be to help her get over the fear around what happened so that she gets her confidence back and can feel secure in your house again. If she’s afraid to leave one area, I’d let her stay there until she’s ready to venture into the rest of the house again. You may even want to put an extra litter box nearby so she doesn’t have to go far to use it.
I would definitely keep her inside, and try to keep a normal routine as much as possible, feeding her at the same time each day and spending time with her. Try to keep the house quiet and keep visitors away during this time so as not to add any additional stress. If you have stray cats around your house, make sure she can’t see, hear, or smell them (no open windows or doors). Eventually she should start relaxing again, but just know that it can take some time. Just be patient and do whatever you can to reassure her that she’s safe and secure.
I hope this helps…wishing you both good luck!!
Thank you so much for the reply. I checked on her and realize that she had a big swollen patch at the back of her leg, which i think that makes her uncomfortable and making her walking slowly. My guess is biting by that stray cat. Anyway, hope that she recover soon. Thank you for your suggestions. I shall take more attention in the future.. 🙂
Oh, that would explain a lot, poor kitty! If she has a swollen area on her back leg, my guess is that she was bitten by the other cat and could have an abscess. Since abscesses are infections that can go deep into the tissue, she should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as you can get her there to be checked out. Not only are abscesses painful (they are caused by pockets of pus that form from a deep infection), but they can cause other problems if they’re not treated. The veterinarian can put her on antibiotics and maybe even help open up the abscess a bit so that it can drain faster. Either way, any kitty with an abscess should be treated to keep the infection from getting worse and causing other issues. Good luck!
wow this chat has grown. i will pray for you and your kitties to get better. i wish you luck and alot of love. i havent written for i have been in hospital w/ staph infection in my leg. my belle is coming around. she sleeps w/ me and lets me pet her. she eats regularly. i just have to get my older cat which we have been together for 15yrs to quit hissing at her. i am working on that. showing love to both and sharing the bed w/ me. i do hope your cats are doing well like i said above i will pray for you and them. just keep hope and love and they will come around. yes keep a regular schedule. cats are like babies they need routine to feel safe and secure.
Thank you so much, Teresa! I’m so glad Belle is doing better, and it sounds like you’re on the right track with them. Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you’re feeling better too! 🙂
I adopted my Penny from a shelter I volunteer, when she was 2 yrs. She had spent every day for one year in a cage. Everyone thought she was awful. I worked with her for months and adopted her, acclimating her properly etc. Life has been great the past 2.5 yrs. We go outside leash walking everyday. She has just now started to show signs of “kennel crazy.” She’s chasing and attacking her tail, as though it were a foreign object. My vet says she needs medication. I hate to do it but I don’t want to see her in mental pain any longer.
How wonderful that you gave Penny the chance at a forever home so she could finally show you her real personality! Cages can be SO stressful for animals, which is why shelters try so hard to get animals adopted within 30 days. I can’t imagine what it was like for her spending an entire year in a shelter. 🙁 Thank goodness you gave her a second chance!!
Regarding her compulsive behavior, I also used to be averse to the idea of using medication for behavioral issues, but over the years I’ve learned that for animals who are suffering with anxiety or other disorders, the world appears very differently to them. Their brains can cause them to see normal, everyday things as life-threatening, or they are trapped into repeating compulsive behaviors that make them miserable and affect their quality of life. Many of the newer behavioral medications for pets don’t “gork them out” or sedate them, they just allow them to function normally and to see the world the way it should be. If you’ve tried to address Penny’s behavioral issues in other ways and they simply aren’t working, there is no shame in using medication to help relieve her mental suffering. I’ve seen animals who used to be terrified of their own shadows became happy and affectionate on the right medications, so if it works for her, that’s a huge win! Good luck!! 🙂
My cat has just recently had a run in with a family member’s dog. Unfortunately, I was not aware that she would be bringing the dog into the garden or else I could have coralled all of the cats inside. I was not a witness to the incident.
We think he was raised on the streets, so he may have double the aggression when defending his territory. The dog is very chilled out usually and apparently did nothing to harm my cat, he lives with cats at home, but his presence was enough to set my cat off on a rampage. My dad told me they tried to break up the fight, with my cat coming back several times to attack the still docile dog; my Dad received a couple of war wounds in the process. He then did the only thing he could think of to break up the fight and threw some water over my cat as a distraction I guess; the dog got put in the car and my cat trotted inside all fluffed up and shaken, and occasionally growling (I think he could smell the dog as my family members left through the house).
He was very agitated for a while, and he seemingly got a little better, going to sleep on the windowsill. In hindsight I noticed a couple of things. Though he usually follows me around anyway, he did not seem to want to leave my side, he has not stepped foot outside since (which is unusual when the weather is good). I definitely knew something was wrong later when he pooped inside! I couldn’t believe it, he always goes outside, I did not even have to train him, he has never had a litter box.
I’m hoping he will get over it soon with my help and the presence of my other cats (they don’t really like each other but maybe them going outside will encourage/reassure him?) I wish I could stay home with him the next couple of days, but work calls :/ I’ve put a Feliway on too, hoping that helps somewhat.
I know this is a board about PTSD and not immediate trauma, but I wanted to add my story to the mix in case anyone had anything similar happen, or any advice.
Thank you for sharing your story, as I’m sure this scenario plays out quite often in homes, yards, and gardens everywhere! I’m not surprised that your cat is hesitant to go back to the “scene of the crime”, so to speak… any altercations like this can be quite traumatic for all involved. I’m just glad the dog was so peaceable and no one got seriously hurt (except your poor Dad!)
I would probably set up a litter box for your kitty inside the house until he feels confident enough to go back outside. You can also try to make the area feel safe to him again by putting out very high-value treats (something he loves) in the area where the incident occurred to entice him back outside and help him make a positive association with the location. Playing with him in that location (using a wand toy or anything else that might give him something to chase so as to distract him) can also help him regain his confidence and make that area feel safer again.
I hope this helps.. best of luck to you and your kitty! 🙂
A woman in town died suddenly last week, and her two nine-year-old Siamese cats (sisters) are suddenly without her, and instead are living among boxes being packed and noises and people they don’t know, and need to be adopted . . . I went to meet them (interested in adopting !) but neither cat would come out from under furniture for most of the hour I was there – the closest I got to them was one of them sniffed my hand from underneath a fabric-covered table . . . are they traumatized ? How challenging would it be to bring them home and hope they’d calm down and show us some personality – and how long would that take ? I’m wondering if I’m up to the task !
Thanks for any response !
Hi Sally! First, thank you for considering adopting these poor kitties who have lost their caregiver. I would say yes, I am quite sure they are traumatized and confused, wondering what has happened to their Mom. 🙁 I’m not surprised that they were hesitant to approach you, since as you said, suddenly they have been around many different people they don’t know and their entire world has been turned upside down.
I think once you got them home, after giving them time, space, a regular routine, and love, you would see their true personalities emerge. The great thing is that they have each other for comfort and familiarity, which should help a lot. As far as timing, it’s hard to say…some cats adjust to new homes within a few weeks, but for others it can take up to several months. It would definitely require time and patience on your part, but speaking from experience, the payoff can be huge. You would be saving 2 lives while potentially increasing the love in your home ten times over. The important thing is to not rush them and give them plenty of time and space, especially for the first few weeks. Once they adjust, you could have 2 loving companions that you may wonder how you ever lived without. <3
We adopted a 2 yr old neutered cat from the rspca about 8 months ago. She was extremely frightened at the centre and was hiding under her cushion bed and actually trembling.We were told she had been brought in because a new baby in its old home was found to be allergic to her.there were other children in the house. When we got her home she still hid under her cushion/bed only venturing out to eat and for toilet during the night.Eventually after many weeks of coaxing and gentle touching she accepted us as not being a danger to her,but found a refuge in the house where she hides if any noises or a visitor comes in.We have noticed that the least sound of children’s voices sends her to hide and stay hidden until much later. Just lately however her behaviour has changed and now she stays hidden during daylight and only comes out at night to eat and toilet once again. It is my opinion that she was severely traumatised by the treatment she received by children in her previous home and found that night time was the only time she could be able to act as a normal cat. When we decided to take her from the rspca I asked if I could see her notes but was refused on grounds of data protection as the notes contained names of previous owners. I am now wondering if the cat has some feral in her and f the rspca were being economical with the truth about her. My main questions are is it possible that the cat may have some form of ptsd from her previous life and also if she has some kind of feral link is it this which causes the behaviour we now see.
I have recently went thru hurricane Irma with my two kitties. They are 6 1\2 years old and are litter mates. She is fine but my boy is different. He is still loving to me but keeps attacking his sister. I can’t leave them together. He has always been skittish but since the hurricane he has gone crazy a few times. He don’t play anymore and he used to love to play fetch. He has bitten me once when him and her went at it. I had never seen him bare his teeth before. I am doing the site swap thing with them. I bought a large kennel to put him in when she is out. She is living mostly in the sunroom. She doesn’t seem to mind if but it is killing me. Both used to sleep with me but now I trade off nights to keep her safe. I won’t ever get rid of either one (like people keep suggesting). But I want my happy family back. Have tried essential oils for bullying. Calming. And peacekeeper. Calming treats and Friday infusions any ideas anyone?
That’s Feliway infusions. Auto Correct
I have a a approx 2 1/2 yr old dog that I fostered for a rescue group. When Chance (his name I gave him since he had a second chance in life ) was found he had one of the worst embedded colors and had to have two extensive neck surgeries. Chance and I bonded like I have never bonded before with any other animal. He went through a long recovery and I ended up adopted him. I love this dog line no other and 99% of the time he is the most incredible dog I have ever owned in my 57 yrs. but and a big but there is the horrible one percent. My behavioral trainer has diagnosed him with ptsd. I have had Chance for 2 yrs and 2 months. And he is a very Scitish dog. Afraid of many sounds. The nightmare with Chance is out of no where he will bite it is horrible He goes into like an outer body experience. It could be with another animal or is could be with a person. It lasts for seconds and the. He is so remorseful. He mostly has issues with men so I believe he was abused by a man. We can go for 3 months with nothing and then bam out of nowhere we have an innocent. Chance is on Prozac and Xanax. It has helped so much We do not have nearly the episodes like early on But we we still have the. Like today with my husband again. It hIm been him the last two times. He adores my husband but out of nowhere snaps. Now my husband has had it and what’s me to put him down. I do not want to and do not know what to do. Taking Chance to the vet is a nightmare he is beyond terrified and when I took him this past year for his an annual checkup and shots it was the worst experience ever. Even my vet will tell you what a nightmare. I’m not sure how I will ever get him back again. Oh we have also done lavender. Melatonin and other natural things. He eats only blue dog food. He did have terrible food aggression when we got him so any new foods introduced ie table scraps can not be giving Ss it does bring that back and I have two other dogs and two cats where he will go after them if he feels they have gotten in his space. So we avoid it and do not give him any
Like I said 99% of the time he is the perfect smartest most lovable animal but that one percent. Omg a nightmare. Is there any advice you can give me. Is this a lost cause. Many say I need to put him down cause he is unpredictable. I do not know if I can do that. I want to help him. Is this a lost cause. Am I diluted in thinking he can live a normal life and thus will stop or be managed tow where I do not have to live in fear of another incident worse than before. Please I am grasping here for anything. I love Chance so much. I do not want to loose him.
A pregnant female cat showed up at our house. We started feeding her. We figured we’d get her spayed and try to find good homes for her kittens. She had 5 kittens under our neighbor’s boat on Tues., May 22nd. As soon as they were discovered, Mama Cat moved them. A few nights later, the girl next door told my husband that a raccoon was fighting with Mama Cat. The girl thought that the raccoon killed 4 of the kittens (2 calico, 2 gray). They found the 5th little black kitten hiding up under their car. The black kitten and Mama Cat were also playing in their yard. On Tues., June 26, our doorbell rang around 10pm. The girl next door handed my husband a little 5 wk old calico kitten. She said two raccoons were fighting and the kitten ran up to her and her boyfriend. About 45 min later, the doorbell rang again. They handed us 2 gray kittens. The black kitten and the calico kitten have not been seen. We put all 3 kittens in a carrier. They snuggled and slept. I was asleep and awoke to what sounded like a clucking chicken. Next I heard the chirping of a raccoon. Finally I heard very loud shrieking. I went over to the carrier. One of the little gray kittens was now by itself in the front of the carrier. The other two were still together in the back. I figured maybe the two in the back had ganged up on the little gray one with one eye barely open and the other one shut. The same noises started again a little while later. I saw that these sounds were coming from the little gray kitten. It was having a nightmare. Evidently, this poor little one had witnessed the attacks on its mother and possibly its siblings. When this little baby went to sleep, it kept reliving these horrible events through nightmares. It would wake up, walk away from its siblings, and go back to sleep. When Mama Cat showed up, my husband took the carrier down to the cat enclosure on the deck. He got Mama to go in the enclosure to eat her food and nurse and clean the 3 kittens. He noticed the little gray one stayed back while the other two were nursing. Its breathing was labored – very slow and heavy. When I had all 3 together, the calico and the other gray one were very active. The little gray baby with the nightmares slept off to the side. I wrapped some toys around it. I was leaning on the bed talking to the 3 of them. The little gray one came over, climbed on my arm, and went to sleep. The other two came over and climbed up on either side of the little gray one. I told my husband that I thought that this kitten was suffering from PTSD. My husband was a little skeptical until I read him some accounts of PTSD in animals from this website and another one. I had really bonded and fell in love with this sweet, innocent little gray kitten. I held it, kissed it, played with it, fed it Kitten Replacement Milk off of my finger, and tried to provide as much comfort as I could. The day before yesterday tb the morning, the kittens were crying loudly in their carrier. Mama Cat happened to be here. The two more assertive kittens were jumping up and down in the front. My husband took the carrier out to the enclosure. When he opened the carrier, he discovered that the little gray one had passed away. All 3 of them had been scheduled for their first vet visit yesterday. The two remaining kittens stayed at the vet’s overnight. They are still there. The little calico kitten was making raccoon noises as she played. She seemed totally oblivious to the raccoon attacks. The other gray kitten has not shown any reaction at all. Its behavior seems completely normal. Just like humans, these 3 kittens witnessed horribly traumatic events. Each kitten had a different reaction. I’m sad and heartbroken that this sweet little gray kitten experienced such trauma in such a short period of time. I can’t imagine what it was like for this little baby to go to sleep only to relive these horrible events over and over. I believe that these events were much too difficult to handle for this little one both physically and emotionally. There will be no more nightmares for this kitten. It is finally at peace. We will bury this little kitten with all of the toys that I had wrapped around it. It will be my last chance to provide love and comfort to this most adorable little sweetheart who will never be forgotten.
Oh Marian, I’m so sorry to hear that this poor little kitten didn’t survive. I can only imagine how heartbreaking that was for you. 🙁 The truly good thing is that you were there to comfort him and give him a sense of safety and peace while he was with you, even though his life was short. You were there for him when he really needed it the most. Did you end up keeping the other 2 kittens? If so, how are they doing now?
Hi Camille. The kittens are still here with us. Faye and Fern, two adorable and playful sisters, will be 10 weeks old next Tues., July 31st. They are very sweet and affectionate. They like to do everything together. They eat together, sleep together, and play together. They show no signs of any lasting effects of what happened to them, although Fern, the little calico, still chirps like a raccoon as she runs and plays. We were going to try to find another home for them, but we decided to keep them with us after all they’ve been through. They are so lovable and seem happy here. Our other cats are quite a bit older and have been checking them out from what they consider to be a safe distance. Our 3 year old cat, Annabelle, seems happy to have some younger kittens with lots of energy. She came here all by herself as a little kitten. She had so much energy and our senior cats were not interested in playing with her. A few of them used to swat at her. She seemed to think that swatting was how one cat was supposed to greet another. Now, she often swats at the older cats and ambushes them. My wish for Faye and Fern is that they will never have anything bad or scary happen to them again. I hope we can help to make all their days happy and peaceful.
Hi Marian, that’s wonderful to hear!! 🙂 I’m so glad that you kept the kittens and that they’re doing so well. It’s funny how you say your calico Fern chirps, my calico Piper does the same thing and she’s done it ever since she was tiny enough to fit in the palm of my hand. I wonder if that’s a calico trait..? Thank you so much for the update, it warms my heart that Faye and Fern are doing so beautifully, and that they are in a wonderful home and never have to worry about being afraid ever again. <3
Hi Camille. Since my last comment, another one of the kittens appeared outside. We thought that the raccoons had gotten her. Apparently, Mama Mystique was keeping her hidden. We called her Magic because that’s how she appeared. We named her sister Gypsy. They are both black and orange torties. Mystique, Gypsy, and Magic stay in our shed. (They get in and out through a hole in the shed). All three of them are well fed. 🙂 Right now, they are too shy to stay in the doghouses on our deck. Fay and Fern, almost 14 weeks old now, have been renamed Stella (Della McBella) and Dora (The Explorer). Dora (calico) still chirps all the time. She is fearless and runs everywhere without hesitation. Stella (gray) is a bit more cautious. Our older kitties seem to be enjoying them more. Hopefully, all the kitties in this sweet little family will continue to do well. 🙂
We have a cat that we took in 3 years ago. She was so little and adorable. She had a very bad wound on her back just to the right of her tail. We took her to the vet and when they weighed her she was 5 lbs 8 oz. They said she was 8-10 months old. She trusted humans so we knew she wasn’t feral. We kept her in quarantine for 1 month and then started to slowly introduce her to our 2 male cats.It took almost another month before she would accept either male to sit outside the door with it propped open 1 inch. Her behavior towards the boys was very aggressive and I am So we decided to let her out of the room after the 3rd month hoping she would be less aggressive if she wasn’t in her safe spot. We put the boys in thier carriers and put them each into a bedroom, blocked the stairs and let her explore. We did this once a day for 1 week. Then we did 2 a days and finally 3 a days. On the 4th week we let the younger cat who is very social stay out. There was only 1 hiss from her. The 5 th week we let all 3 cats be out together for short periods of time together. We finally let her venture down to the main floor but she would retreat to her own room anytime she got stressed out. I should have mentioned earlier that the wound on her back was a 1 x1 inch and 1/2 inch deep chunk of missing fur and flesh from another cat. To this day she does not interact with the other cats much but the hissing and lunging have stopped. She is hypervigilant and paces from 1 window to the next constantly and if she gets the scent of a strange cat she will attack anything within 5 feet of her. I am positive she has PTSD but she does co-exist with 3 other cats now and hopefully she will keep getting better with time and lots of love!
Hi Cass! It’s wonderful that you rescued this kitty and got her safely off the streets! Who knows what all happened to her out there? Although it can take a lot of time and patience in situations like this, it can definitely have big payoffs. So happy to hear that she’s doing well and getting along better with the other cats…hopefully with time she will continue to improve even more! 🙂
My calico Sweetie got out of the house while I was out of town. I returned the next day…looked everywhere for her….that night it stormed real bad….so I knew she had to be scared out alone in it. The next 2 days we had heavy rains. 5 days later after searching neighborhoods and fields she returned. She had scabs on her especially under her chin. Our vet said it was from bites and cuts scabed over. She wants to hide under things and sits on the counter. She use to come into bedroom and follow me around and we would meow to each other. She also liked to rub her face to my face as if to own me putting her scent on me. This has yet to happen. I try to hold her and love on her as we did before, but she wants back down and back on counter she goes. Please tell me with lots of love and redoing of our scheduled plays and affection, she will return to her ole self. I miss her love…but am willing to do what I need to get her back. Thanks for any suggestions.
Hi Charlene, I’m so sorry to hear about what happened to Sweetie. That must have been terrifying for her! 🙁 Hopefully by now she is coming around, but if she isn’t yet, the best thing you can do is to just give her time to recover from her ordeal at her own pace. I know it’s frustrating to want things back to how they used to be, but it can sometimes take months for frightened pets to overcome their trauma and begin feeling more like their old selves again. If she’s still resisting being held, as hard as this may be, my suggestion is to just give her time and space. Give her lots of treats, talk to her often with a quiet, soothing voice, offer to play with her (if she seems open to it), and let her be the one to re-establish the bond between the two of you. Once she is reassured that she can trust you 100%, she should start approaching you more and asking for attention and affection. But if you try to force it, unfortunately it may take longer for her to come around. She needs time and space to find her confidence again, and once that happens, hopefully she will soon be back to her usual self. Wishing you both the best of luck, and please let me know how it goes!
Hi –
I adopted my cat ‘grey’ off the streets of my neighborhood a little over 3 years ago and long story short, he meets all the PTSD requirements (even dreams) except the ‘thinking about the event’ part. He’s my ghost cat who cannot stand anyone coming near him (only me), and I have a crawl space that is his safe retreat place. When he’s feeling safe he’s cuddly and lovey and fun and playfull. But his ‘flight’ mechanism will get triggered and he becomes afraid of me, my house, small spaces, etc. He’s petrified of other people and men, especially. It took me 3 months to get him to come to me and let me pet him and then another month for him to come inside and sleep and feel at home. Lately he’s been triggered badly by a repairman and he wouldn’t let me near him for two days and looked at me like I was the devil. I can’t have people over because he’ll stay in the crawl space for 8 hours. I can’t have the vet see him (even the one that comes to my home) because I can’t stand the idea of traumatizing him. He shakes, yowls, and has basically hurt himself trying to get into a safe space. I tried gabapentin and it didn’t work. When he’s in ‘flight’ he doesn’t repsond to food, catnip, anything. Is there another medication I can try? I am thinking that I need to rehome him as his quality of life is just not great half the time. Any tips? I really wish I could find the best home for him, but if I’m it I’m not sure he’s living a happy life.
Thoughts?
Em
But it often happens that people should be prepared for the fact that the treatment may be ineffective or help for a short time. Therefore, handlers / owners should be aware of this and be able to build a dog’s life in such a way that it is not exposed to stressors that have already led it to such a mental state. And try to live in such a way that the stress level is maintained at a level acceptable for this particular dog. Life with such a dog is a skillful management based on true love for one’s neighbor, modern knowledge of dog behavior and other related sciences that allow a person and such a dog to live comfortably and harmoniously.
My cat fell off the roof and had to be rescued by fire men. He was caught between two buildings.
He broke his wrist and we tried to save his leg for over a month but he had to lose his right leg.
So this was all many vet visits then I would have to give him oral pain medication so I became nurse Ratched with the syringe. He went through a lot falling off a roof a leg amputation and then recovery
Before all of this he was the most friendly cuddly verbal cat you would ever want to meet a real sweetheart to everyone.
While managing his pain he also became constipated so I had to treat that.
His personality diminished so much I thought he was dying he became limp and antisocial. Instead of running running to me he runs from me
I took him for another vet visit and my wonderful vet told me I need to leave him alone. She said don’t give him any more oral pain medication she’s healing well put his food out and let him come out and get his food don’t try to baby him or anything let him be.
I did pick him up to groom him and he seemed uncomfortable and then ran away like a bat out of hell.
I’m positive he has PSTD.
It’s like I have a different cat now when he sees me he looks scared. He just stays in one room sleeping.
I am not going to put him on any more medication so no psychiatric drug recommendations please.
I came across this site searching on the topic.
I have a cat which came from another owner (an old woman). Today I saw his reaction to a tray dirty with raspberry juice. He was really scared and for a while I couldn’t understand why. I made a video. Then someone reminded me that he was run over a few years ago and almost died. Does it make sense that he had trauma and the colour of the juice reminded him of the accident?