Traumatized Maine Coon - Abused

by: Teresa in Los Angeles

Last September I adopted a 3yo Main Coon, to rehome her to a friend. It was odd transfer.

We found her on Petfinder, great site. Arrangements were made for us to pick her up.

It was a no fee adoption, because they said they were never home & it was hard on her. Ok, logical.

The owner met us in front of a large complex. Gave directions to park & wait.

We thought we’d meet her but ok, their home, safety etc. we never see her except her face, fur, through cat crate. It’s her. Coco.

He seemed very concerned that she’d be loved. Got her stuff and home we went. She growled like a mountain lion of 18lbs.

All the way home, 45min. I put her crate on the floor of the guest room that was set up for her to decompress.

I let her tell me what she needs. I have kids some are cats & dogs. I could see she’d been traumatized so I decided to keep & help her heal.

1 week in she finally showed me her tail, it was shaved including her fur beyond that... the rest had been faded so it wasn’t as obvious.. I figured out she’d had kittens, probably had a mess & before adopting her out aggressively groomed her. These little stuffed kittens were clearly fake babies to help her.

I respected them as her babies. She softened up with me even more. We have a "it’s ok" sign developed early on. She is playful with me, but she is happy to be the lone cat… except she doesn’t.

I’ve found her cuddled up to the dog she pretends to not like. If she’s been bred/isolated, it makes sense.

She's sweet but she’s had trust broken. She’s 4yo now. We love her. Patient with her. She’s seen a vet. She is purebred. The vet noticed Coco being overly guarded from the waist to her tail, but that it’s hard to know on cats.

We’d like to help Coco calm down & let her guard down. Maybe it's brought out a little diva who likes it this way? Kinda doubt it. Thank you from Coco & her family.

Reply:

Hi Teresa, thank you for sharing Coco's story! It sounds like you’ve given her a wonderfully caring home, and I'm sure she appreciates the love and patience you've shown her.

Given Coco's background, it’s understandable that she’s still guarded and has trust issues. Her past experiences likely left her feeling vulnerable, and it will take time for her to fully relax and trust again.

It sounds like you are already giving her the security and patience to feel safe again, and are looking for some extra suggestions.

You really are doing a good job already! These things can take quite some time. Here are some additional ideas, though you may be doing these things already:

Consistent Routine: Like many cats, Coco will benefit from a predictable daily routine.

Feeding her at the same times, engaging in regular play sessions, and maintaining a calm environment can help her feel more secure.

Safe Spaces: Ensure Coco has multiple safe and quiet places around the house where she can retreat to when she feels the need.

Cat trees, cozy beds, or even simple cardboard boxes can offer her the comfort of a personal hideaway.

Positive Reinforcement: Reward her for calm and relaxed behavior. Treats, gentle petting, and soothing words can reinforce her trust in you. Be patient and let her set the pace for interactions.

Interactive Play: Engage Coco in interactive play with toys like feather wands or laser pointers. This can help build her confidence and strengthen your bond with her.

Playtime can also serve as a great outlet for any pent-up energy or anxiety.

Pheromone Products: Consider using calming pheromone products like Feliway.

These can create a more soothing environment and may help reduce any lingering anxiety she has.

Gradual Introduction to New Experiences: If there are any new experiences or changes in the household, introduce them gradually.

Sudden changes can be stressful for cats, especially those with Coco’s background.

Monitor Her Health: Since Coco is guarded from the waist to her tail, keep an eye on any changes in her behavior or signs of discomfort.

Your understanding and patient approach have already made a significant difference. Over time, with continued love and care, she’ll likely become even more comfortable and trusting.

Wishing you and Coco many happy and peaceful moments together. Thank you for being such a wonderful and compassionate cat parent!

Comments:

Help w/cat
by: Sandy

Try Purina Pro Plan Calming Care Probiotic (Amazon).

It worked wonders for my rescue Maine Coon who also was rescued as a 3 yr old.

Love & continued care for your new Maine Coon!
Sandy

Coco
by: Kathleen J

Hi Coco’s mom,

Eight years ago, I adopted a part-Maine Coon named Hazel. She was about a year old, black, and had a very traumatic start to life.

She was front-declawed as a kitten, which caused her pain and led to behavioral issues. She was surrendered to a shelter for being aggressive, but I believe she was just misunderstood and scared.

At the shelter, she became more aggressive and had to be handled with a pole.

After being labeled as "too aggressive," she was moved to foster care, where she lived in another cage. When I saw her photo, my heart broke. I knew I had to give her a chance.

Hazel was my only pet, and when we got home, she was very withdrawn - no eating, drinking, or bathroom use for three days.

I worked long hours, so I monitored her with a camera. At night, she would eat and use the litter box.

Slowly, I figured out what she liked and started watching Jackson Galaxy’s videos for tips.

One suggestion was to close off her hiding spots and gently encourage her to be in a shared space. It took weeks for her to trust me even a little.

Loud sounds upset her, and she hated enclosed spaces or being touched. After two months, she finally sat next to me and let me scratch her head briefly. These moments were rare but precious.

Over time, she would sleep on my back at night and occasionally sit close to me, though she never fully trusted me.

Vet visits were challenging - I had to use a tranquilizer, and the vet needed special care to handle her stress.

Hazel had severe asthma, which we discovered too late. She passed away after just a year and a week with me. I held her in my arms, singing to her as she passed.

My advice is to be patient and sensitive to Coco’s needs. Build routines, respect her space, and watch for signs that she’s comfortable.

Also, check with a vet to ensure she isn’t in pain. Thank you for giving Coco a loving home.

Hugs to you both,
Kathleen

Top of Coco The Scared Maine Coon

« Back to Behavior Problems