Neurotic behaviour

[BlackRainbow]

My cat Kimchi is a vit of a mystery. I found her in a korean open market, stuffed in a cat with other kittens covered in her own filth and obviously suffering from some medical problems. I couldn't take all of the kitten but took a shining to her and took her home and fixed her up at the vet.

She was okay at first, a real brave little tyke ready to take on the other full-grown cat I had.

At some point after adulthood she started showing some weird behaviours.

She is super neurotic about needing reassurance and love. If she is scared she will stay by my side. If I start petting another cat she will force her way in and insist on receiving the same treatment.

She is five years old and still suckles the older cat from time to time when she's looking for reassurance.

I show her as much love as I can to make sure she knows I love her - but I wonder if there's anything more I can do for her.

SHe VERY rarely plays and when she sleeps she is often stiff and tense looking.

Poor girl ANy suggestions?

Tara

[badger]

For want of a better term, I would call this Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. You rescued her from hell and her poor brain is still wired to expect the worse.

There are anti-anxiety meds for cats, a low dose might help her, but you would want a very good vet, someone who has experience, because medication could just as easily make things worse (as in humans).
Korea has a pretty good reputation for herbal remedies, doesn't it? Maybe you could find - again - a very very reputable practitioner to advise you.

There are homeopathic vets here and I definitely believe in some of their solutions, I wonder if there is some all-purpose homeopathic remedy for anxiety which would be suitable for animals. In fact, if I had a cat with PTSS, I would start with homeopathy and only look at regular meds as a last resort (ie if the animal is seriously unhappy or aggressive).

In the meantime, love works wonders, but don't expect miracles either. She is what she is.

Poor girl, lucky girl

[chico2]

No doubt she is suffering from PTS syndrome,I can only imagine what kind of beginning she had until you came along
We have read and seen some of the horror going on in China,regarding dogs and cats,if your beautiful kitty lived through something like that,but in South Korea:sad:
What Badger says is right on,some kind of homeopathic meds to calm her might very well help.
We don't know what goes on in their little heads,or how much they remember from earlier abuse,but I am hoping Kimchi will overcome her fears and realize she's very much loved,it might be a long road and maybe she will never be a perfect little purring-machine,but,not that I think you would,please do not give up on her

[BlackRainbow]

I could never give up on her. SHe needs me, I am her surrogate mother really. I can't imagine her taking to another owner! She seems a little more relaxed since I moved to an island with a much smaller population. She alot less likely to hide from visitors, and seems a little more relaxed. I guess the fresh air and bigger place helps a lot. I just noticed her suckling again the other day and got concerned about her mental health.

Based on the usual korean way, she was probably found as part of a litter from a stray, and taken away when she was far too young (between 3 and four weeks) and stuffed in that cage. When I got her she was 2-3 months old, so I imagine her life in that filth was not very good. On top of that, right across from her was a seller of animals that would be slaughtered on the spot, so I can't imagine that was very good for her mental health.

poor girl just needs a lot of love

Tara