Please Help my cat who was abused by past owner

Hello I'm new to the site and have read alot about my situation. I have 2 cats I adopted 1 is puss in Boots 8 months old happiest cat ever. The other Oscar he is 4 years old and came from an abusive situation. I always try an adopt animals that are less likely to find homes because of age disabilities or bad behavior. Previously I've rescued dozens of dogs but because I have a smaller home now I'm trying to work with cats and am unfamiliar. I brought Oscar home and the first couple days he allowed me to pet him he flinched alot because of past physical abuse but then anytime I tried to pet him he hisses even growls so I stopped trying to pet him. He even hisses if I'm far away and raise my hand like I want to pet him. He ignores the other cat completely but they don't fight at all. I provided him a cat cave where he spends most of his time. I'm giving him his space got all the hormone plug ins tasty treats etc. My question is this I've had him for a month and 2 times he started walking toward me and I walked away because I didn't know if he was Gona bite me he's actually quite scary. One time he approached me was right after he ate my wife thinks he was coming to thank me. What do you guys think. I figured since he hissed at me every time I approached him he potentially wanted to attack me? Do cats also sense fear? Does it make them more nervous? Also does showing my other cat affection in front of him make him more comfortable or less comfortable. He also has 0 interest in playing with toys with me. Anyone have any advice on how to improve his quality of life and anyone have an idea if he's likely to attack or more likely just coming to be pet. Thanks alot

Hissing comes from fear, insecure about a situation or contact with a person or another animal is all.

When he comes towards you he is showing that he is adapting, he's not going to attack you, I promise.

Let him choose at his speed, but when he makes advances, accept them. Talk in a calm voice, get down on his level and let him come to you to check you out.

Offer treats he would love from your hand while on his level, anything that lessons the amt of intimidation he feels until he has grown to trust you.

He won't be interested in play until he can let his guard down is all, and it will happen in time.

Yes it does help to show affection to your other cat in front of him

Thanks for letting me know I will be anticipating his return from his cave. It definitely is going to be great when he finally adapts

I also was wondering how much real tuna fish is too much is a pinch of tuna fish too much a few times a week

Good advice from catwoman707.  It can take a cat a while to adjust to a new situation, especially when he has had bad experiences elsewhere. 

You have to let the cat come to you.  When he does, you know he is ready for more contact.  I had a cat that would attack my hand when I held my open hand out to him. I started reaching out with a balled fist and he would bump heads with it!    The cats head is about the same size as your balled fist.  It intimidates them much less than an open hand.

Thanks for taking in this difficult kitty.  With patience and time, he should be a good addition to your home.

A pinch of tuna several times a week is not too much.  You could do a little more each time if you want to.

catmanandrobin said:

I also was wondering how much real tuna fish is too much is a pinch of tuna fish too much a few times a week

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Tuna is not healthy if given as food over time, to get his attention and gain friendship that will grow in to a bond, go for it!

Tuna is excellent for bribing!  

I was also going to mention that reaching out with your hand can be intimidating at this point, especially as if to pet him on his head, try starting out on his level, armed with tuna, offer it on your open hand and keeping it below eye level. He takes it, you scratch his neck. He will respond.

He will want more tuna, at this point, let him come to you and ask Talking to him is helpful too.

Definitely make sure to get on his level and when you pet him, do so slowly and perhaps with either a fist or the back of your hand - no doubt his abuser would've slapped him with his palm, so your cat might associate open hands as an aggressive sign. Try not to place your hands above him, but pet him from under his chin, for example, before moving up there gradually. 

Thanks for all the replys I was also wondering what's the norm for letting cats outside. I had a cat growing up that would love going outside and hunting and always would return. Am I supposed to let my 2 cats out at a certain point in time. Is that the right thing to do for them or is that not safe I have a fenced in yard but I'm sure they could easily escape

A lot of people here will advise you to keep your cat indoors only, as it is safer and increases their life span (which is true). My cat is indoor-only, but my look on it is it's ultimately up to the owner to make the judgement as to whether the cat is going to be indoor only, or indoor/outdoor - and whether he needs to be confined to your garden or allowed to roam free. 

Your cat can have as fulfilling and happy life indoors only, so he's not losing anything by being kept indoors. It's up to you. You could even leash train him so you can go on walks together (which is safer than letting them roam free).

If you do want to let your cat out, make sure to read up on articles about how to introduce your cat to outside - you should do it slowly so your cat learns his surroundings enough to be able to find himself home.

I dunno if there's a right time to let your cats out - I imagine they'd want to come and go as they please and if you have a routine they'd probably time it to that. 

catmanandrobin said:

Thanks for all the replys I was also wondering what's the norm for letting cats outside. I had a cat growing up that would love going outside and hunting and always would return. Am I supposed to let my 2 cats out at a certain point in time. Is that the right thing to do for them or is that not safe I have a fenced in yard but I'm sure they could easily escape

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I agree, this is a controversial topic, many various opinions for sure.

Personally, while I ask adopters that they keep their new kitty indoors only, I also know that people will say they will but do not.

So I have an info sheet attached to my adoption apps that stresses how dangerous it can be outside, and also the importance of acclimation if they do go against my wishes and let the cat out.

Bottom line is, the safest by FAR is an indoors only cat.

Most definitely my preference.

HOWEVER.....there are exceptions, and it really depends on where you live, how close and busy the street is, and your cat's personality.

While all cats basically once brought inside after being outside, will really want out, well that's tough, treat them as if they will be inside only and allow plenty of time for them to get used to the change and become inside kitties.

It takes at least 2 months+ for this to happen.

Most will adapt just fine if given enough time, space in the home (even a tiny home you can provide vertical space) and enough stimulation with toys and play, but occasionally a cat will not, they might whine at the windows, and try to escape continuously, or even start peeing outside of the box. This is AFTER giving them plenty of adapting time.

(by the way, I am talking about neutered/spayed cats ONLY) NEVER allow an unfixed cat out. Period.

I have a large backyard fully fenced, and wanted to give my cats all I could so I got a roll of stiff wire like chicken wire but not the soft flexible type, the roll came 4 feet wide, I cut it right down the middle and attached it to the top inside of the entire fence, curled it inward a bit, and have successfully kept my cats in the yard, with a cat door on the back door that I would close at night, backyard time was only during the day.

Hey guys just a quick question. Do you think it's possible my cat hisses at me when I go to pet him because the younger cat bully's him a little bit. The younger cat will swat at him if he comes in my direction and also will eat out of his food bowl even though he has his own. Also my cat is letting me get right next to him and eat tuna fish inches away from me but if I go to pet him he still hisses. Should I try an sneak a pet on him I did that once and he excepted the pets but when he sees it coming he hisses thanks