Adopting a Pet with a History of Abuse? Prepare Before Taking the BIG STEP

Abuse is destructive, whether it is to a human or an animal. Every season, several furries land in shelter homes on account of being disowned by their former parents or seized by officials when they are spotted in an abused or neglected state. There is a high chance that these furries may have never known love, care, comfort, or even safety. When you reach a local shelter with the aim to adopt a pet, you are actually rescuing them. Hence, there is a lot more to know and be thoughtful of as you save a pet’s life by welcoming a rescued furry to your home.  

The History of Abuse in a Pet 

‘Abuse’, is a term associated with cruelty, harsh behavior, and (/or) harmful treatment done to a living being. The abuse need not be physical only, it can also be mental or emotional which can be displayed in the form of harsh or frequent yelling and performing acts of verbal or physical threats. If you note a pet getting startled to the point of exaggeration such as jumping, running away quickly even on a wet floor, hiding under the furniture, shivering, or cooing in fear, there are chances that this furry has a history of abuse.  

Ignoring the pet’s basic needs and neglecting their care is also a type of abuse such as letting the pets survive without proper food, water, bedding, a litterbox or even restraining them to go outdoors for emptying their bowels, etc. Leaving them in the open tied to a leash always is also a type of mental abuse to the furries. Leaving them to cry and fend for themselves incessantly for continuous hours also leads to a pet feeling hurt and damaged to a point of abuse. Hence, it is important to look into the history of abuse that might have happened to the pet so you can prepare the household accordingly and also be precocious towards them so they can feel happy, cared for, safe, and above all, loved.  

Understanding Behaviour in Pets with a History of Abuse 

It is commonly assumed by pet parents that turning away their heads when someone approaches a furry is a sign of abuse. However, that may or may not be true. A pet’s non-social behaviour towards another human being, their moving away from a gesture could also indicate genetic predisposition, as in, the furry could be inherently accustomed to exhibiting fearful or nervous behaviour. Some furries prefer to avoid making direct eye contact, they dislike any stranger lean or crouching over them. Even reaching their head to pat can also be perceived as a sign of threat and can lead the furry to activate their self-defense mode or push them to run away into hiding under a table or any other object.  

Pets who may have a history of abuse are more likely to display bigger emotional reactions to certain events, objects, and occurrences. One of the examples is when they see a belt (even if the parent is just picking it to wear it), they think that they are about to be punished owing to which they cower, hide, or even eliminate pee at the same spot. They can even become more defensive and start biting the object in hand.  

A purry can become ever more defensive and attack the person.  

There is also dramatic overreaction to even a basic change in the environment they are in. For instance, a sudden movement or a raised tone of voice in the household. This can lead them to cower, eliminate, hide, and try to escape the spot and the presence of the said person.  

There are other indications to spot a pet with a history of abuse. 

Anxiety: A furry who displays signs of unsettled behavior, licks excessively, circles, pants, and shakes uncontrollably, is most likely in an anxious state.  

Excessive Fear: Cowering or shivering when touched, a lowered head, tail tucked between the legs, ears pulled toward the back, these are the signs that your furry might be in fear.  

Hiding: Some pets with a history of abuse exhibit hiding tendencies during which they hide under the furniture and come out to eat, drink, and eliminate only when there is no one around.  

Aggression: A furry with a history of abuse is more likely to get aggressive when someone normally tries to reach them who they are not accustomed with. This can even turn to a biting situation if not addressed within time.  

Gaining Furry’s Trust & Reinstating Happiness in Their Lives 

First thing that pet parents can do before beginning the trust building process is take the furry for an assessment to a reputed animal behaviorist who can assess the furry’s mental health and advise accordingly. It is also necessary to take them to a vet for any signs of physical trauma or wound that they might have sustained. Once this step is complete and you are well-informed, it would be much easier as well as much smoother for the furry to instate their trust in your ability as their new parents.  

Here are a few useful tips:  

• Create a safe and comfortable space for the pet to rest and heal.  
• Read the furry’s body language and interact with them accordingly. Learn to hit the pause bottom when they seem unwilling to communicate or want to avoid any kind of attention and affection. Gradually, ease them into your home and life. 

• Let the furry make their own choices and decisions pertaining to their lifestyle. This gives them control and empowers them mentally. For this, you can bring multiple options for playtime and also provide them multiple beds set in various corners of the household to lounge in.  
• When you have guests, let your guests know how to maintain a safe space for your pet by avoiding being overattentive, affectionate or playful when the pet does not seem willing.  
• You can keep the pet in exercise pens or a crate so there is a safe barrier between the pet and the family members.  
• Create a routine for them and stick to it. A routine helps the furry ease into their new lifestyle without feeling anxious or overwhelmed while wondering what could happen next.  
• Take them for regular walks and breaks where they can comfortably relieve themselves.  

• Clean their litter box regularly and maintain their hygiene as well.  
• Work on rebuilding the furry’s confidence through reward-based pet training sessions and behaviour consultations.  
• Avoid activities or movements that startles or scares them. 

Therapy Options for Pets with a History of Abuse 

Through professional pet training and behaviour consultation, you (as a pet parent) can gain a better understanding of your fur baby’s behaviour which helps them form a deeper bond with you. Training is a great way to interact with the pet and for the furries to communicate with their parents as well.  

In certain cases, love, attention, and basic pet training are not enough, especially if the history of abuse is severe. Such furries need enhanced behaviour modification plan to understand and address their reaction to certain triggers. Take them to certified vet care and pet trainer and behaviourists to help them manage this temperament with ease and respond to the happy spaces their parents have built for them.  

While you are working towards gaining the furry’s trust and helping them heal, it is important to go slow. 

Make the furry feel safe and loved! Seek professional help from certified pet trainer and behaviorist and vet consultation, when necessary.