Helping a Cat Recover from Trauma

Helping a Cat Recover from Trauma

Unfortunately, many adopted cats have suffered trauma before landing in their fur-ever homes. But, just because that was their past, doesn’t mean you can’t usher them into a truly happy future. In this video, I help Nick and his new adopted family member, Felix, try to achieve just that.

Cat Petting 101

4 Ways to Tell Your Cat "I Love You!"

Related Products

Catify To Satisfy: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home

Stress Stopper - Cat Stress Relief Solution

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and ring that bell! 🔔

Join this channel to get access to perks:


😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

🐈‍⬛ Calling all pet parents! 🐈‍⬛
Share your video moments with me...and maybe the world!

😺 My Favorite Cat Products (naturally!) 😺

🐈 Follow Me Here! 🐈

😻 The Jackson Galaxy Project 😻
We make a difference for at-risk animals and the people who care for them. Join us!

#JacksonGalaxy #Cat #Advice
00:00 Introduction
00:42 Question for Jackson
02:26 Breakdown
05:50 Hands Can Be Triggers
08:02 Don't Stare
09:00 Catify

[nickburchell]

Hey folks! I'm the Nick in that video! Thanks for the support and especially thanks for answering the question Jackson.
I sent in the video about 6 months ago, and Felix has made massive improvements since then. He still bolts if I need to throw things around (like the covers when making the bed), but he lets me get close now. He's a very good boy (doesn't bite or scratch even when I annoy him accidentally) and even lets me use him as a pillow while he and I chill out and play video games together. Trust me, adopt a rescue shelter cat. Any creature that's suffered knows what real love is. Totally worth it.

[russell]

I adopted three "hard to adopt" cats from my shelter. It has been the most rewarding choice I've ever made.

[GeeklingNo]

Nick: My cat is scared of everything and doesn't trust me.

Felix: I was living in this really awful place but this man took me home and gave me a nice tree where I can watch the birdies and sometimes he gives me cheek scritches. He doesn't get mad at me when I get scared by his big hand or the loud noises. I'm so glad he brought me here.

You're doing great Nick. Trauma is hard to get over and the fact that he can sit there calmly and let you touch him is huge. I wish you and Felix the best!

[shirleygiordano]

Skittles runs from everyone but me. She won't let me hold her, but she curls up on me. Hands scare her. I am so mad at her former abusers.

[mrsmds]

I remember how the foster family of my adopted cat were warning me of her. That she has ptsd, aggressive, does not like other cats etc etc. yes first few months were a struggle, especially when we adopted a tiny 6 weeks old kitten, but now - after almost a year, I would never choose any other cat. She is the most loving, gentle giant I can ever wish for ❤️❤️

[hyperfocal]

It takes a lot of time. As someone who adopted a seriously abused cat, it took about 2 years for her to get over the abuse. It was a process. She was good with family far more quickly than with guests. Samantha had her spots where she would attack newcomers. She did live to be 18 and became a wonderful cat, but it took a couple years for her to recover.

[cucurbito]

I fostered many cats with "bad past". And i have to say: when such cat learn what else people can be like, it usually become into incredible sweet and loving kitty.

[Andrei-yvfz]

Thanks, Jackson. I have two special needs cats who also have PTSD. Since I also have PTSD, I did most of these things intuitively. It's still helpful to know that I'm doing the right thing. These cats have been through so much and deserve all the love in the world. They heal me just as much as I heal them. We're a great little family.

[joanalealart]

Jackson having a Carol Baskin fashion moment here

[NoMoreHeroesAnymore]

"Underneath all that is a cat that wants to love and be loved." That one made DH tear up. That's exactly why we keep at it with the little boo. He's IN there and he's a darling wittle soul who deserves a chance to BE a darling little soul.

[PrincessLelouch]

Earlier this year I adopted a cat who ended up having FIP; he was 7 years old but he acted twice that. The rescue described him as “not cuddly” and he would barely interact with me. As we treated him, he slowly got more and more energetic. It really puts things into perspective, getting so excited about a cat doing normal cat things like running around or looking up. Last week he started sleeping and cuddling in bed with me, and all I have to say is whoever dumped him at the pound because he stopped being cute and cuddly is missing out.

[LB-vlqn]

Just commenting to second Jackson's assertion that adopting troubled cats from shelters, or anyplace, is worth all the time and effort that goes into it. These cats make some of the best pets and will reward you many times over for taking a chance on them. So, give a troubled cat a home and you'll both be richer for it. ~ Lisa

[Watashinomori]

I have a cat that hates being touched. He never went through anything traumatizing. He came from a loving home to another. But I noticed he really is anxious, and probably get sensory overload when being touched. So I just let him be. Whenever he feels like getting pet and cuddles he will come and get all of them, when he had enough he just leaves. I love him tons, so I don't care, even if he is so cute...

[shirleygiordano]

Perfect. Thank you, my cat has severe trauma from a badly former abusive home. My poor baby.

[ARMYforLIFE_BillyBabefan]

I've helped an abused cat. My lovely Miko. She trusted me immediately and no one else. Miko was one day in my garden, clearly asking for help. So I took her into my house.
She is in my care now for about 4years and to this day she only trusts me and runs away from other people. When I have someone visiting me, she runs upstairs or runs away outside to here own "house" that I've build. The vet and I clearly see that she has been badly abused. But I'm trying to make her live as happy and comfortable as I can.
She is still a little bit afraid of the broom and sound off paper and fire. (her whiskers are partly burnt off) and she has been abused horrible with other bad things that the vet discovered but I'm not going into detail more.
Also I can't play with her because trying to play with her she seems threated by it. But she plays by herself and loves cuddling, sleeping by my side on the couch. And I know she is happy because she bloomed really open in the years, first time I saw her playing I got tears in my eyes also her first time she dared to do something that she knows isn't allowed but still did it. I was like yes she is feeling completely at home, she drools a lot because of happiness. She adapted living with me and my other 2 cats (who I've resqued also) quickly. And she is defending her outside territory feersly. Yes she is now a very happy cat. We think that Miko is now around 9 years old.

[kazwhitehouse]

It took my rescued feral cat a year to come round. He was about a year old and was rescued when his back leg got badly bitten and he couldn't run away. After a very long first year (blood - mine, sweat - mine and tears - again mine!) we learnt to live with each other and this gradually grew to love and mutual respect. He is now 12 and I would go through it all again to get to where we are now : )

[rangequeen]

This dude is such a sweetie. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

[MEWMEWMASN]

As a feline caretaker that has also taken in special needs cats who have been through trauma, I just wanted to give a HUGE THANK YOU TO NICK for not only giving felix a good home but also taking on the responsibility & spending the time trying to help him overcome his trauma issues. It's definitely not the easiest thing to do & it says alot about your good nature. The world needs more people like you! I wish you & Felix the best of luck!

[alicepow]

Nick's video with Felix made me cry. Really glad that someone is giving that cat the love and patients he needs <3

[Grace-zdic]

My baby was so scared of everything when I brought him home. I don’t know about the beginning of his life, but from the types of people and objects and sounds that he was afraid of, I have a feeling he was abused, then thrown out to become a stray. I hate whoever did that to him. But I’m so happy he’s in my life now and that he feels safe and trusts me and is happy and not afraid anymore. <3