Consequences of cat abandonment: Physical and psychological impacts

Abandoning pets has consequences, and they are usually more than we want. Keep in mind that abandoning your pet is bad, very bad, different things can happen to you that will not let you have it anymore, but leaving them alone on the street is an act that you should not do.

When you abandon them, animals can go through a number of terrible and very cruel things. When we refer to animal abuse, it doesn't just mean hitting the animal or not giving it food; Abandonment is one of the most cowardly forms of abuseIt is not only an act of irresponsibility, but also of cruelty, as cats and dogs suffer physical and psychological consequences.

Physical consequences of abandoning cats

The main consequences are extreme stress and loss of appetite. When a cat is accustomed to life at home, when it is abandoned it experiences a radical change. From being protected and with constant access to food and veterinary care, it goes on to face a hostile reality on the street. This creates a excessive stress level, and it has been observed that many abandoned cats stop eating, since they do not know how to get food.

Surely, the first few days after abandonment, your pet will not know how to look for food, especially if it has always been fed at home. This lack of knowledge, added to stress, can trigger feline anorexia, a disorder that can cause a cat to stop eating completely and weaken rapidly.

As the animal weakens, it can fall prey to parasites.. The street is full of fleas, ticks and other parasites that will affect the cat both internally and externally. This can aggravate its health condition, which becomes a spiral of diseases, lack of food and possible accidents.

Besides all that, the animal is at risk of being run over and seriously injured. Cats that have always lived in homes are not familiar with the dangers of the street, one of which is traffic. Many of them are not aware of the risk they run when crossing a road. This results in accidents and, unfortunately, in a large number of cases of cats being run over.

Those who manage to survive are often severely injured, which makes their situation even worse; with injuries, they will not be able to move easily, find food or shelter, and in many cases, they die due to lack of care.

What are the psychological consequences of abandonment for the cat?

Abandonment also has a considerable psychological impact. A cat that has been abandoned can suffer depression and anxiety due to the abrupt transition between a warm home and the hostility of the street. Their environment changes dramatically: from safety and comfort, they are exposed to noise, other animals and loneliness.

The animal is subjected to a situation of chronic stress, which increases the levels of cortisol in its body. This hormone, released over a prolonged period, affects its immune system, making it more vulnerable to serious diseases. In addition, The behavior of many cats changes dramatically and can lead to self-mutilation or isolation.Many of them stop interacting with other animals and even with humans, which worsens the depression.

The figures for cat abandonment

According to recent studies, cat abandonment in Spain increases at certain times, especially during the summer. Animal shelters are increasingly reporting the problem of cats being abandoned. unwanted litters, which generate peaks of abandonment in the central months of the year due to the seasonal reproduction of the cat.

This, coupled with the fact that many owners decide to abandon their pets during the holidays, leads to overpopulation in shelters. In 2022, only 7% of the cats collected were purebred, while 93% were mixed breeds, and more than half of the cats collected were kittens.

Measures to reduce abandonment

The solution is in our hands. To prevent this situation from continuing, it is essential to promote education and awareness about the problem of abandonment. We must take measures to ensure that everyone, both potential and current owners, are aware of what it means to have a pet.

• Adopting will always be a better option than buying an animal, as it helps reduce overcrowding in shelters.
• Sterilizing our pets is key to avoiding unwanted litters, which represent one of the main causes of abandonment.
• Think carefully before making the decision to have an animalA cat or a dog are not toys; they are living beings that require attention, time and resources.
• Identifying animals with microchips to be able to find them in case they get lost.

Governments should also introduce stricter laws against animal abandonment and promote educational programmes on responsible care. Animal shelters and public bodies play an essential role in raising awareness and encouraging adoption, as well as providing support to owners who can no longer care for their pets.

What to do if you find an abandoned cat?

If you find an abandoned or lost cat, the most important thing is act quicklyCats that have been abandoned need immediate help to survive. Here are some tips on how to proceed:

• Call an animal shelter or veterinary services so they can help him properly.
• Do not attempt to feed your cat without first assessing its condition, as a weakened cat may have digestive problems.
• If you decide to adopt your pet temporarily, make sure to give him a safe place to hide and, if possible, take him to the vet.

Cats that have been rescued need time to adjust back to a safe environment. and that includes a lot of patience and affection from the new family. Every small gesture saves lives and, if you can't adopt, you can always help shelters by volunteering or donating.

Abandonment has an impact not only on animals, but also on society. Combating this problem requires joint efforts, but it is in our hands to offer every cat a second chance.