Pets are a major commitment to care for, more so when we’re talking about those that had to suffer some kind of abuse during their lives. This is because just like people formerly abused pets will show lasting mental scars and be more likely to be withdrawn and may have a hard time trusting people ever again.
If you had just recently adopted a pet who was a former abuse victim, congratulations because what you just did was a very noble act.
Understanding Pet Abuse
Taking care of a formerly abused pet will require lots of effort and even more patience. Though to do that you have to understand first how most pets react to abuse.
First off the most usual response is mistrust, withdrawal, depression and physical inactivity. Their fear of everything especially the outside world will make them simply just want to sulk in the corner all day staying quiet and just observing everything.
Pets that have suffered the abuse of neglect and were forced to spend many hours alone have a tendency to be overly attached to their new owners. Be sure to take note of this as these pets may show signs of extreme stress and anxiety when left alone on their own again.
Cats make for an even trickier situation, as those who’ve suffered abuse early on or were never exposed to different people during the first two months of their lives may never fully trust people again. This makes taking care of such cats very hard as they may become hostile to all but their owners for as long as they live. The same thing can happen to dogs though it will take many more months of abuse or neglect for the same thing to happen.
How To Proceed With Rehabilitation
What you need to know is that this is not an overnight process. Also depending on the amount of abuse that the dog or cat has suffered you shouldn’t really expect too much early on. Most formerly abused pets will be a bit more family-friendly in time but they may never be as socially-inclined as those who weren’t subjects of abuse.
Still despite how hard it is transforming a once-abused pet into a happier version of itself can be quite therapeutic and may even end up changing you for the better.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make the pet feel needed, loved and secure at all times.
- Never try to force the issue. Simply let them get used to you at their own pace, no matter how long it takes.
- Protect them from the things they fear the most.
- Try to instill a positive mindset by occasionally arranging for them a situation where they’ll most likely succeed.
- Communicate well, but never shout. Opt for whispers and low-toned voices as much as possible. Encourage other people in the house to do the same.
- Both a healthy diet and adequate exercise are definite musts.
- Give your pet a safe place to run to in case they panic or become severely anxious.
Previously abused animals pose the greatest challenge to care for, as they’ve gone through plenty of unforgettable yet unfortunate experiences.
What your newly adopted pet needs in addition to you being as caring and loving as an owner can be is patience. The more the better allowing your pet time to learn and experience positive new things that will help suppress the negative ones.