Help! Terrified Cat

My house burned down this last weekend and no one was home except my baby Eddie. He managed to get out a window with no screen and by the time we got there, he was wild. We are staying with my grandma and my aunt lives right across the street and that is where he is. No matter what though, he is terrified. He will not come to any one. I know that he eats, because I check his dish every day 2 or more times, I don't know what to do. I can't bring him to where we are staying because of grandma's dogs. I am hoping to rent a place within the next to weeks. Please, any ideas?

I don't have any advice, although I'm sure someone with more experience will post soon. I just wanted to offer my prayers to you and your family. I hope Eddie will be alright.

Oh, that is terrible! I'm so sorry for you and your family. I'm not really sure how to deal with this either, so I'm bumping this thread.

The only thing I can say with certainty is: Call your vet. They probably have experience with traumatized animals and will be able to give you some advice over the phone. You may also want to take your cat in to make sure that he wasn't hurt.

Best wishes to you!

Poor, kitty! How's Eddie doing now?

I am glad to hear you all are safe, it may take some time for him to come around but he should over time. Contact your vet they should be able to help and also Humane Societies are great with animal trauma, they may have some good advice.

Be extremely patient with him. Hopefully he is being kept in a dark quiet room at your aunt's house. I would go over ther and sit there in the dark and talk to him in a calm, soothing voice. If he doesn't come, that's okay but he'll know that you're there for him. I wouldn't try to force him to come out unless he hasn't seen a vet, in which case take him right away. Cats can suffer from smoke inhalation just like people. I agree with the poster above that suggested asking a vet about what to do. They do see cats from similar situations all the time, and they will be able to give you better advice.

I'm sorry for your loss, and I wish you the best.

I'm so sorry to hear your story!

I would take him to a vet. If he was in the house during the fire, he could have damage to his lungs from breathing the smoke. Cats notoriously hide their pain and his behavior could be in part due to pain.

He needs to be in a quiet space with as little distraction as possible. Let him be for a while. Feed him his favorite foods at the same time each day. Play classical music for him, and go in the room and read aloud to him. Have patience - he will get over this.

I would agree to get this cat in a carrier, a trap something and get him to the vet pronto. While you are there, ask the vet for meds you can put this kitty on to help him get over his shock and fear or look into more natural remedies like Bach Flower Remedies to help him get over this panic. Poor cat, he had to have been so terriefied and yes, cats do have a form of post traumatic stress disorder. It will take a long time for him to come back to you. He needs a calm, dark room where he can just relax BUT he needs to know he can get out of this room at any time, so do not enclose him in a room, or put him in darkness. Put on a night light, play classical music for him, but please get him to vet quickly-

Just want to say thank you to all who answered this thread. I just got a new computer so I can finally answer. Eddie is doing soooooo much better. He is back to being his obnoxios self and we are getting ready to move in to our new house. thanks to all of you who helped me get Mr. Ed back to normal (ok, my deffiniton of normal)

I didnt see this until just now - I am so sorry to hear that your house burned down and the stress this caused Eddie - what a terrible time this must of been for you.

I am glad to hear that Eddie is doing better and that your almost ready to move into your new house - what wonderful news.

Sorry for the late post, but I share your grief and anxiety...my house burned down just a year ago, I was able to get the dogs to follow us out of the house, but my 3 cats were hiding under my sons bed...so the firemen found them first, and kept them safe while they were putting the fire out, my son's comforter was extra large and went to the floor on both sides of the bed, so they were fine, went to the vet that day, and no injuries (thank heavens), but we were forced to live in a hotel for 10 weeks for repairs, and had to place the pets with a friend during this time....as soon as we went to pick up the pets, they did wonderfully!!! Now they all still jump any time there is an alarm that goes off, and they come running to me if a fire truck comes anywhere close to the house(the sirens.) I am glad for you that all is safe and sound..Items can be replaced, not lives...

Fires and animals are so bad. My neighbor's house caught on fire and her kitty died =( I am so sorry at least Eddie made it and he is doing much better!