Cats are the most widely kept pet in the world. In the United States alone, there are well over 100 million cats living as pets. They’re so common that you probably know at least one person who has a cat. But what you might not know about cats is that they can be victims of domestic abuse as well. Cats may not be as expressive as dogs, but this doesn’t mean they don’t feel pain or fear when put in frightening situations. Cats are complex creatures with unique personalities and preferences just like any other animal. They have varying degrees of friendliness and affection towards different people, places, and things. While it would be nice to think that every cat is treated kindly by its owners at all times—this simply isn’t always the case. Let’s take a look at how domestic abuse affects cats and what you can do if you suspect your feline friend is being mistreated.
Do Cats Remember Abuse?
Unfortunately, yes, cats can remember the abuse. Cats are extremely intelligent animals and remember things that have happened to them. In the wild, if a cat is attacked by a predator, it will remember the scent/person/location so that it can avoid it in the future.
Why Do Cats Remember Abuse?
1. Cats Have Different Qualities Of Intelligence
Cats are intelligent animals, and their intelligence makes them more susceptible to abuse. It is common for an animal to remember the pain it has experienced in the past, especially if it has been hurt in a violent manner. Cats can also be easily manipulated into doing things that they would not normally do. Domestic cats are also smart enough to know how to get away from bad situations. For example, if your cat is being abused by someone he or she doesn’t like, they will try and get away from that person as soon as possible. This can be dangerous for the cat because it might end up being hit or injured while trying to escape.
2. Cats Are Social Creatures
Cats are very social animals and will prefer to live with a group of individuals instead of being alone in the wild. Domestic cats have extremely strong bonds with their owners and will react very negatively when they are left alone due to abuse or neglect from other cats. They prefer to be around other cats because they like the company of other animals, and they enjoy companionship. If your cat is being abused, you may notice that he or she will start getting upset and frightened when you leave the home. This can lead to the cat being stressed, which can cause physical health issues as well as psychological stress.
3. Cats Can Be Manipulated
Cats are very smart and have a strong sense of vision and hearing. If a cat is abused during its youth, it may become fearful of people or things it once trusted in order to protect itself from further harm. This could cause your cat to become aggressive towards anyone who tries to hurt it due to its previous abuse experience.
4. Cats Are Aggressive Creatures
Cats are naturally territorial creatures, so if one of them is being abused by another animal or person, it will lash out in an attempt to protect itself from harm or possible future abuse in groups. When they are abused by someone, they will often try to fit in with the group and become a victim of the abuse as well.
5. Cats Are Vulnerable To Psychological Trauma
Cats are susceptible to psychological trauma much like humans are. They dream and can be affected by stress just like people can. This is one reason why cats are more likely to be abused than dogs because they have a higher pain threshold and will simply try not to let their abusers know that they’re being hurt or scared.
6. Cats Have Different Needs Than Dogs
This is an important reason why cats may be more susceptible to domestic abuse than dogs: cats have different needs than dogs do when it comes to having a good relationship with their owners. A cat does not like being picked up by its owner, but it might get used to it over time if its owner is affectionate towards it in other ways (such as petting). If the cat in groups. This means that if your cat is being abused by one person, another person may be abusing the same cat. Cats in groups will also be more inclined to fight back against a predator because they are more likely to survive if they are in a group. This makes abuse much harder to hide and could lead to an even greater amount of abuse.
7. Cats Can Be Manipulated
Cats are very smart and can easily learn how to manipulate people into doing things against their will. Cats often use their intelligence to trick or deceive humans, which makes them incredibly dangerous if they find themselves in a situation where they are being abused by the wrong person.
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Cats?
- Domestic violence is a crime against the family and it can have a negative impact on the cat as well. In many cases, domestic violence takes place within the home and it can lead to physical abuse, verbal abuse, or sexual abuse. It is important that this type of crime be reported to the police so that the perpetrator can be prosecuted and receive the appropriate punishment.
- Domestic violence can also lead to psychological damage in cats. Cats are very sensitive to their environment and they react strongly when they feel threatened or emotionally disturbed by their surroundings or other people in their lives. The emotional stress that comes with domestic violence may cause cats to act out in ways that are dangerous for them when they are alone. They may become aggressive toward others in their household, such as children or other pets, even though they used to be friendly towards them before abuse occurred within the home. Cats who live in homes where there has been domestic violence may also develop anxiety-related behaviors such as pacing back and forth, hiding places, or excessive grooming.
- Domestic violence can also affect cats physically. Cats who are abused may develop broken bones, wounds from being hit, or even puncture wounds from a nail. The abuse can also lead to serious medical problems such as damaged kidneys or heart disease.
- Even if a cat does not show any outward signs of physical abuse, there are still numerous emotional effects that the cat may experience due to domestic violence in the home. Cats who live with domestic violence often become depressed and withdrawn because they have learned that physical violence is an acceptable way to solve conflicts in their lives. They may also become anxious and stressed out because they feel unsafe during times when there is domestic violence occurring within the home because they do not know what will happen next and what is considered acceptable behavior in their household environment. Cats who live in homes where there has been domestic violence may also develop depression-related behaviors such as excessive sleeping or hiding places when they are alone at homeless behavior in the household.
- Cats who live with domestic violence may also develop a fear of people and other pets in their lives because they have learned that their owners will hurt them if they are angry or frustrated. They may become aggressive towards strangers, even though they were once friendly to them. They may also become fearful of other pets in the home for the same reason.
What You Can Do to Help Cats Who Are Being Abused
- Have compassion for the cats’ situation. You need to know that cats live in an unending cycle of abuse and neglect. If you feel there is no hope for the cat or you see no way to help it, please consider adopting a kitten instead of trying to help this cat.
- Do not try to change the situation; instead, let the cat change you. The only person who can change a cat’s life and make her safe is the person who takes her in as a pet. If you are so desperate that you are willing to risk your own safety, go ahead and try to rescue this cat, but remember that she will never be safe until she is rescued from her abusers.
- Do not rescue more than one cat at a time unless you are very well-trained and experienced with large numbers of cats (and have plenty of food). Also, do not take on more than one cat from a single household if your home has little or no room for them.
- Do not give up on the cats if they are not responding to your efforts or have died from neglect. Many people who have never had cats before think that they “know” how to take care of them and end up abandoning them later
Conclusion
Domestic abuse is not limited to human relationships. Cats can also be victims of abuse at the hands of their owners. Cats kept in abusive households may suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Signs of abuse include unexplained injuries, poor grooming, and abnormal behavior. If you suspect that your cat is being abused, you can report the situation to authorities and adopt a new cat from a shelter. You can also visit Rescue Me to learn more about how to recognize and prevent abuse toward cats. In addition, you can share this article with your friends and family to spread awareness about domestic abuse.
