Is my adopted cat's head hanging during petting a sign of past abuse?

Moly is adorable! Her tail does appear slightly shorter than average and this could have simply been the way that she was born, or related to other trauma. Some kittens experience tail trauma at birth if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the tail, causing part of it to fall off. Other cats can experience broken tails or other injuries that require amputation. Unfortunately, there is no way of determining the cause of Moly's tail condition at this point in time, but I think she's a cutie just the way she is! :-)

If only Taro could talk! With an unknown background, it's hard to know but it could be related to abuse, rough play or not socializing properly. Give him time to adjust. Keep his environmental calm and happy. Make sure to keep your movements calm and slow until he bonds and becomes comfortable. A few other therapies could also help. Here is a great article about cat's instinctual needs: https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-every-cat-needs-a-place-to-climb/ Use a Feliway diffuser, set aside 30 minutes a day for vigorous play and/or switch the food to Royal Canin Calm. Most cats response best to combination therapy. The veterinarian can also prescribe medications which can help with anxiety. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong! I think it's somewhat common for cats to act very differently in a shelter situation than at home. Sometimes this means that a cat will be fearful or aggressive in the shelter but sweet in a home situation, but it can also mean that a cat seems more affectionate when stressed. Kittens also tend to be more affectionate and tolerant than older cats, so her increased age might be playing a role as well. You may want to try to find another way to spend time with her (like playing or brushing) rather than trying to hold her or snuggle with her.

A cat who was basically feral for 5 months may take quite some time to become more comfortable with handling, and she may never be a cuddly lap cat. It does sound like she is willing to have some interaction with you, so I would continue what you are doing in terms of offering her nice tasty treats when she comes to you. Also feeding her near you if she will eat with you nearby but not touching her (don't want to overwhelm her at first, just get her more used to your presence being nonthreatening). I wouldn't pick her up if it scares her just yet, and I wouldn't force her to meet/be touched or held by new people just yet. I would give her a few more months of settling in. You may also add feline pheremone diffusers (Feliway is my favorite brand) to the house and try calming supplements such as Composure or Zylkene to see if these help relieve some of her anxiety as well. You can find all these products online, or at some vet clinics.

Time and patience! If Princess is skittish in your new home it may just be she needs some time to settle in and relax. If she was abused or not handled much before coming to your home, she may also take longer to bond or just never be quite as cuddly. A few things you can do: Let her approach you instead of forcing interactions. This can help her gain trust and make things less stressful. If she does approach, offering your hand for her to sniff before petting, giving a favorite treat, or just talking in a calming voice can help. Pheromone diffusers and collars are great for reducing stress and anxiety and may help her to relax some and settle in. Treats are friends! Hand feeding her meals, giving treats when she approaches, and rewarding her for when she is calm and not nervous can help build trust as well. Playing with toys, if she likes them, such as a feather on a string can help increase bond and interactions without petting that may be too stressful for her, while still letting her interact and have fun.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Jace. It does sound like he is afraid from being thrown in the air. The incident likely occurred during the fear period of his development where negative experiences have longer lasting effects. You will need to work hard to rebuild his trust in people. I would not pick him up or handle him if it causes him stress. All interactions will need to be initiated by him. You can find a treat that he likes to reward him for seeking our human affection. It will take a fair amount of time though for him to become more confident. I hope this information helps!

Some kittens are more shy than others. Give him time. Pet him and talk to him, eventually he will be tamer and interact. Imagine he is in a new place, with new smells, people without his mommy. 2 months of age is still very young to be taken from the mother, so he probably feels very lonely and sad after his mommy.