3 Behaviors of Neglected Cats

3 Behaviors of Neglected Cats
1. Strong sense of anxiety
Cats who have been hurt by humans
or have been separated from their mothers at an early age
can become easily anxious
due to lack of affection.
As such, it often takes them a long time to open up
even after meeting a new family.
Even if they have opened up,
they are likely to become heavily dependent on their owner,
which can soon lead to separation anxiety.
Symptoms of separation anxiety in cats include
crying loudly when the owner is away for a short time
and refusing to eat.
Also, their condition may deteriorate
if separation anxiety worsens.
When this happens, cats may become extremely sensitive
and get stressed out by little things.
2. Excessive grooming
Grooming is a way for cats
to keep their bodies clean,
but it can also be a way to calm themselves down.
This is because endorphins,
which act as painkillers,
are released in the brain when cats groom.
3. Excessive suckling and pica
Most cats like things that are soft,
such as soft blankets and dolls,
and this is because these things remind them of their mother.
Therefore, cats knead on blankets or dolls with their front paws
as if they are kneading on dough
or suckle on them.
Furthermore, if a cat lacks social skills
because she’s been separated from her mother too soon,
or if she is anxious because her owner has not loved her enough,
she may display pica*, ripping and swallowing fabric.
* An eating disorder in which a person/animal eats things that are not usually considered food
If a cat displays such symptoms,
the owner needs to be extra careful as there may be emergency situations
in which substances such as cloth or buttons may get caught in the esophagus or intestines.