Attacked and Nervous Cat

[Chrissy Boy]

Our cat was attacked in the kitchen by another cat that came through the flap. Over the past couple of months his physical and mental conditions has got worse. He won't go out into the garden and when we carry him out he runs straight back in, he used to spend hours out there. He is hardly eating and loosing weight, sometimes he is sick. He climbs up on the worktops etc as if he getting out of the way. The vet doesn't seem to believe us (I'm off back tonight) and says it is a physical condition. Has anybody out there got any suggestions for us that may help.

[WendyS]

Poor thing. He has obviously been totally traumatised y the attack. Can you block up the cat flap, at least temporarily to ensure your unwelcome visitor doesn't come again and then somehow find a means of demonstrating to him that nothing can come in again through that opening. . I realise this may be difficult because we don't know whether your cat's brain will be able to work this out for himself but it might be worth a try. Otherwise I can only suggest giving him lots of loving attention and reassurance, which you are probably doing already. Where does he sleep? I suggest you move his bed upstairs, and preferably higher up than the floor to give him an added feeling of security as sleeping low down may make him feel more vulnerable to attack and ambush. Do hope you can resolve this for him.

[Chrissy Boy]

Thanks. We try bringing upstairs but for some reason just runs straight back down. I think I'll try taking his bed up this time.