Some time ago, Xiao Yi came across a beautiful kitten with smooth and clean hair in the community. The first reaction was, whose cat is this lost?

After asking around, I found out that it was abandoned by a certain family who moved. The man took away all his belongings, but could not take away a little kitten...

Looking at this poor kitten again, does he know that he has been abandoned by his owner?

The cat knows that the poop scraper has left him

Actually, all kittens know. ..

In a 2023 Bilkent University survey, it was found that many cats will have four obvious reactions when their owners leave:

① Prevent their owners from leaving or wait The owner returns: When the owner packs bags, combs hair, puts on shoes, etc. to leave, the cat will follow/lie at the door/block between the door and humans/run wildly, or the cat will wait at the door after the owner leaves home.

②Protest behavior against being unable to approach the owner: scratching the door, frequent vocalizations

③Abnormal excretion behavior: defecating outside the litter box

④With Behavioral changes after separation from owners: biting/scratching objects, excessive licking of themselves, and frequent vocalizations

So, cats are very clear about the difference from humans. What about "being abandoned", does he know?

If the definition of "abandonment" is to abandon the cat outdoors or give it to others for adoption, the cat will also know about it.

An experiment at Kyoto University in 2017 found that cats have the ability to remember situations. Even if they do not take the initiative to remember, the memory will exist in their minds.

An abandoned kitten

What will happen to the cat? What impact?

What impact will being abandoned have on a cat?

Abandoned means that a cat has to face separation from its original owner, sudden environmental changes, changes in living habits, the pressure of unfamiliar smells, etc., all of which will bring negative emotions and impacts to it.

According to data from animal shelters in the United States, "abandonment" + "entering a new environment" may cause high stress levels in cats, leading to other problems:

●Increased aggression< /p>

●Increased hiding behavior

●Abnormal urination/defecation behavior

●Fear, hyper-vigilance

●Decreased appetite and weight loss, etc.< /p>

➤ Fortunately, for cats who are well socialized, most problems are short-lived. of.

Stress levels may gradually decrease over time while in shelter. Some cats may even experience less stress than in their original family (with multiple cats).

Blue represents the cat’s stress score

And after being adopted and having positive interactions with their new owners, they can adapt to their new life more quickly.

➤ However, for cats with poor socialization, this is undoubtedly "making matters worse". They need longer time and more friendly experiences to live in peace with humans.

Beyond this, there are worse cases. Healthy cats suffer from diseases because they are "abandoned", and some even lose their lives...

! "Abandonment" for any reason is an indelible damage to a cat's life.

According to statistics from animal shelters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, common reasons for cats being abandoned include: owner illness/pregnancy, economic changes, moving, sick cats, aggressive cats, etc.

Abroad, there are shelters where abandoned cats can stay. But in China, they are more likely to become homeless stray cats. There are also a few lucky ones who may be rescued and re-adopted by kind-hearted people.

An interlude, I’m still looking for adoption. Good night...

If we take over a kitten that has been abandoned before, what can we do faster? How to "cure" him or her more effectively and become his or her most trusted new owner?

What should we do if we “take over” a cat with a history of abandonment?

First of all, be mentally prepared. These cats may not be "perfect" and may have issues such as play aggression and separation anxiety. It requires our correct guidance and companionship to gradually solve it.

Secondly, it is to create an environment full of security for them.

▌When you first arrive home, stay in a small room temporarily

It is best to choose another dry bedroom

Choose a room with a smaller space and a quiet environment , to make the transition for cats.

In addition to necessary daily necessities, they should also be provided with safe hiding places, such as cardboard boxes, semi-open cat nests, etc.

Don’t disturb them forcefully during this period, let them adapt and explore on their own.

▌Reduce changes at home

After the cat gradually becomes familiar with the environment, you can Open door restrictions and let them further explore the entire home.

But during this period, it is best not to have strangers visit or change large items, so as to avoid unknown changes in the environment where the cat has just adapted.

▌Create a structured order

Regular daily life and established rules are an important source of security for cats.

Therefore, it is best to delineate the cat’s main activity areas from the beginning and set up restricted areas. You can also choose to provide food to the cat at a fixed time and place, and play games with it at a fixed time.

The most important thing is not to suddenly change the rules that have been set.

▌Good interaction experience

Refuse to forcibly interact with the cat, but do not refuse the interaction initiated by the cat!

Positive and positive interactive experiences can increase cats’ trust and sense of security in humans~

Although cats’ injuries can be healed, the scars are difficult to erase.. .

Keeping a cat is not a whim, but a lifelong responsibility!