Do cats know they have been abandoned?

Some time ago, Xiaoyi met a beautiful kitten with clean hair in the community. The first reaction is, is this whose cat lost?

After a while of inquiry, I found that it was abandoned by a certain family. The man took away all his belongings, but he couldn't take away a kitten...

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

Cats know that the shoveler has left TA

In fact, kittens know...

In a survey at Bill Kent University in 23, it was found that many cats will have four obvious reactions in the face of their owner's departure:

① Prevent the owner from leaving or wait for the owner to return: When the owner does packing his bag, combing his hair, putting on his shoes, etc. to prepare for leaving, the cat will follow/lie at the door/block between the door and the human/run wildly, or wait at the door after the owner leaves home.

② Protest behaviors against inaccessible owners: tampering the door, frequent voices

③ Abnormal excretion behavior: After urinating outside the cat litter box, the behavior changes occur: biting/scrambling objects, excessive licking themselves, and high-frequency voices

Therefore, cats are very clear about the difference between them and humans. Then what about being "abandoned", do you know?

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

Experiments at Kyoto University in 17 found that cats have the ability to remember episodic memory. Even if they do not take the initiative to remember, this memory will exist in their minds.

An abandoned kitten

So what impact will this memory have on the cat?

What impact will be abandoned on the cat?

Being abandoned means that the cat will face the negative emotions and impacts of separation from the original owner, sudden changes in the environment, changes in life habits, and the pressure of strange smells.

According to data from the American animal shelter, "abandonment" + "entering a new environment" may cause high stress levels for cats, causing other problems:

● Increased aggressiveness

● Increased hiding behavior

●Abnormal urination/defecation behavior

●Fear, excessive alertness

●Decreased appetite and weight loss, etc.

➤ Fortunately, most of the problems are short-lived for cats with better socialization.

TAs in shelters, stress levels may gradually drop over time. Even some cats will be less stressful than in their native family (multiple cats).

Blue represents the cat's stress score

, and after having positive and positive interactions with the new owner during adoption, TAs can adapt to their new life faster.

➤ However, for cats with poor socialization, this is undoubtedly a "injury". It takes longer and more friendly experiences to live in peace with mankind.

Besides this, there are even worse cases. Cats who are healthy are "abandoned" and suffer from illness, and some even lose their lives in the end...

! "Abandonment" for any reason is an indelible harm in life for a cat.

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

In foreign countries, abandoned cats can still be accommodated in shelters. But in the country, they may become homeless stray cats more likely. There are also a few lucky people who may be rescued by kind-hearted people and seek re-adoption.

Insert a piece, and you are still looking for good night to adopt...

If we take over a kitten that was abandoned before when we adopt, how can we "heal" him faster and more effectively and become his most trusted new owner?

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

First, be mentally prepared. These cats may not be "perfect", and they may have problems such as playful attacks and separation anxiety. We need our correct guidance and companionship to gradually solve the problem.

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

▌When you first arrive at home, it is best to temporarily stay in a small room

. It is best to choose a room with a smaller space and a quiet environment to make a transition for the cat.

In addition to necessary daily necessities, TAs should also provide safe hiding places, such as cardboard boxes, semi-open cat nests, etc.

Do not forcefully disturb them during this period, let them adapt and explore on their own.

▌Reduce changes in the home

and cats can slowly become familiar with the environment, and then open the door restrictions to allow TA to further explore the entire family.

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

▌Creating organized order

regular daily life and established rules is an important source of safety for cats.

Therefore, it is best to define the main activity areas of the cat at the beginning and set up a restricted area. You can also choose to provide food for cats at regular intervals, and play games with TA at a fixed time.

The most important thing is to not suddenly change the rules already established.

▌Good interactive experience

Refuse to force interaction with cats, but do not refuse the interaction initiated by cats!

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

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

Raising cats is not a whim, but a responsibility that concerns a lifetime!