# What Are the Signs That My New Cat Has a History of Being Abandoned by Its Previous Caretaker? ---
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--- While [cats](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/01yrx&q=what+are+the+signs+that+my+new+cat+has+history+of+being+abandoned+by+previous+caretaker) cannot tell us about their past, their behavior often speaks volumes. If your new cat was suddenly abandoned or rehomed by a previous caregiver, they will likely show signs of trauma, deep insecurity, and resource anxiety. [1, 2, 3, 4] The most common behavioral indicators of a history of abandonment are categorized below: ## 1. Severe Separation Anxiety ("Velcro Cat" Behavior) An abandoned cat often lives in constant fear that their new caregiver will leave and never return. [5, 6] * Extreme Shadowing: Following you from room to room, never letting you out of their sight. * Pre-Departure Panic: Pacing, crying, or blocking the door when you put on shoes or pick up keys. * Distressed Vocalization: Loud, persistent meowing or yowling shortly after you leave. * Scent-Targeted Urination: Urinating outside the litter box, specifically on items that strongly smell like you, such as your bed or dirty laundry. * Over-Exuberant Greetings: Acting intensely relieved, frantic, or overly excited the moment you walk through the door. [2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] ## 2. Resource Guarding and Food Anxiety If a cat was abandoned outdoors or left without food, they may develop survival-driven anxieties regarding their basic needs. [2, 13] * Food Hoarding or Bolting: Eating at frantic speeds without chewing, or trying to hide/bury dry kibble. * Aggression Around the Bowl: Growling, hissing, or swatting if you or another pet approaches while they are eating. * Refusal to Eat Alone: Only eating when you are physically standing in the room to guard them. [2, 9, 12, 14, 15] ## 3. Hypervigilance and Deep Trust Issues Cats that have been discarded often struggle to process a new environment and may stay in a prolonged "flight-or-fight" state. [2] * Extended Hiding: Hiding under furniture or in closets for weeks, far past the typical 3-to-5-day adjustment period for a normal cat. * Exaggerated Flinching: Startling aggressively or running away at ordinary household noises or sudden movements. * Fear of Specific Objects: Panicking at the sight of boxes, carriers, brooms, or specific types of footwear, which may trigger memories of their abandonment. [1, 2, 15, 16, 17] ## 4. Stress-Induced Physical Behaviors Psychological trauma from being abandoned frequently manifests as physical compulsions. [1] * Overgrooming: Compulsively licking their stomach, paws, or tail until they create bald patches or sores. * Destructive Scratching: Frantically scratching at doors, doorframes, or windows in an attempt to escape or follow you. [10, 11, 18, 19] ## How to Help Your Cat Heal If your cat displays these signs, patience is key. It can take one to six months (or longer) for a traumatized cat to fully decompress. Provide a strict daily routine for feeding and playtime to rebuild their sense of security, and avoid making dramatic, loud exits when leaving the house. [1, 14, 19] To help tailor this advice, what specific behaviors have you noticed that made you wonder about their past? Knowing how long you've had the cat would also help. --- ## References [1] [https://cats.com](https://cats.com/do-cats-remember-being-abandoned) [2] [https://www.quora.com](https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-signs-that-a-cat-might-remember-being-mistreated-or-abandoned-by-a-previous-owner) [3] [https://www.cats.org.uk](https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/do-cats-recognise-their-owners) [4] [https://www.fourpawsinntx.com](https://www.fourpawsinntx.com/how-long-does-it-take-a-cat-to-get-used-to-a-new-environment/) [5] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMjjqUYDebU&t=286) [6] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/IHeartCatscom/posts/being-left-behind-creates-a-deep-sense-of-confusion-for-a-cat-who-only-wanted-a-/1477784887042754/) [7] [https://www.animalmedical.net](https://www.animalmedical.net/blog/understanding-feline-separation-anxiety/) [8] [https://cats.com](https://cats.com/cat-separation-anxiety) [9] [https://littlesilveranimalhospital.com](https://littlesilveranimalhospital.com/blog/separation-anxiety-in-cats/) [10] [https://www.bettercatbehavior.com](https://www.bettercatbehavior.com/cat-behavior-101/separation-anxiety-in-cats) [11] [https://www.petmd.com](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/behavioral/can-cats-have-separation-anxiety) [12] [https://www.hillspet.com](https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/separation-anxiety-in-cats) [13] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/IHeartCatscom/posts/cats-who-are-abandoned-are-left-to-navigate-a-world-that-suddenly-feels-unfamili/1508314753989767/) [14] [https://www.bluespringsanimalhospital.com](https://www.bluespringsanimalhospital.com/services/cats/blog/8-signs-separation-anxiety-cats-and-what-do-about-them) [15] [https://www.justanswer.com](https://www.justanswer.com/pet-cat/07exd-cat-abandoned-four.html) [16] [https://www.cats.org.uk](https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/does-my-cat-have-separation-anxiety) [17] [https://www.akcreunite.org](https://www.akcreunite.org/feline-separation-anxiety/) [18] [https://www.armandhammer.com](https://www.armandhammer.com/en/articles/tips-leaving-cat-alone-separation-anxiety) [19] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XZbTWKXJR8)