Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, speaking engagements anywhere, phone consults nationally and internationally. She also sees patients by appointment at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Her latest book is The Complete Guide To Understanding And Caring For Your Cat. Her recently released CD of spoken cat advice and soothing music is Caring For Your Cat, The Wilbourn Way.
Come back to Carole's home page monthly for cat news and Carole's most recent replies to behavior inquiries from worried cat guardians. To have this home page emailed to you after the story update, click here. You will receive this exact page by email, and it will link you to the other pages in her site, and to the rest of the IDA web site.
THE WILBOURN WAY (AKA Cats on the Couch) April 2010
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
FELINE ENTICEMENT
It may be that Orion is admiring my basket of "edible fruit," but he's really more interested in the ribbons. This was my cue to unwrap my gift and give him some playtime with "toss and fetch" the ribbons.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(Orion, a former rescue, will represent cats and offer nuggets of wisdom regarding Beau, the rescued First Dog—a Portuguese Water Dog.)
LET'S MOVE WITHOUT FOOD INDULGENCE
In my March column, Orion proposed that Bo could be the poster pup to advocate exercise for the First Lady's signature project "Move On" to fight child obesity. Orion even offered to be Bo's exercise buddy to promote animal companion exercise. Now he would like to add that guardians could comply with a healthy food program by not overindulging their animal companions.
I ADORE MY CAT BUT...
My cat Orion was my library mate for my presentation in New York City at the Grand Central Library. As you can see from the photo taken by examiner.com photographer, Thea Fried, he was his usual versatile self. One can take him anywhere. As Orion demonstrates, "The Cat is, above all things, a dramatist." (Margaret Benson)
The guardians were asked to write their cat’s foible on the board, and we were off and running. How can I dissuade my solo fourteen-year-old cat from drinking water or eating “only” from my hand, was one of the foibles. The guardian explained that her cat would partake by himself when she's not at home. He is being treated for the start of chronic kidney degeneration, and she is giving him fluids. "Am I spoiling him?" she asked?
"Not at all," I said, and went on to tell her that obliging him was a wonderful boost and support to his appetite. This encouraging gesture that her kidney-compromised cat initiates could increase his golden years. "What a terrific gift, and you're a very thoughtful guardian," I said.
"Why do you use the term "guardian" instead of "owner"? I explained that a cat is not an object, like a piece of property. Rather, a cat is part of the family, a surrogate person. Guardian implies a caring and emotional connection. "I get it," she said. I added that they all could click on to my site, thecattherapist.com, and sign up for my free monthly newsletter, which included The Wilbourn Way column, as well as the entire IDA Web site that carries extensive information on the guardian concept.
I ended my presentation by autographing my latest book, and Orion hung out with Susan, the librarian.
MY CAT JUMPS ON THE TABLE WHENEVER I EAT
Hi Carole,
How do I prevent my cat from jumping on the table when I eat?
Thanks,
Harriet
Hi Guardian Harriet,
It sounds like your cat enjoys being where the action is. A very sharp no and a spritz of water or making a loud noise should work. But you must be insistent and consistent or he'll win out. If he's relentless, put him in another room while you eat. You can tell him it's his private playtime. Why should he have to be inconvenienced while you eat? At first he may object, but he'll slowly adapt. Here's to many a happy, peaceful meal!
THE WILBOURN WAY INTRODUCTION
Hi Carole,
We used The Wilbourn Way Introduction (archives 1/09 and my books) when we rescued and introduced our latest cat. Their photo tells all.
Thanks,
Bob G.
OUR THREE CATS WREAK HAVOC IN OUR DAUGHTER'S ROOM
Hi Carole,
Is there any way to keep our three cats from wreaking havoc in our young daughter’s room? Flora, Rusty, and Smokey are two-year-old littermates. They love to climb to the top of her bunk beds, which is okay by her. It’s when they scatter her miniature play sets, manicure her school work, and knock her mini plush figures off of her shelves that she freaks out. She closes her door so her room becomes off-limits. Bedtime is another off-limits time. She’s a light sleeper and their acrobatics keep her awake. Her closed door at bedtime is fine, because they usually spend the night in our room or in and out. I must mention that this is a New York City apartment. Our daughter’s cabin-size bedroom was once part of our reduced living room. There are places for them to climb so they can play king of the mountain, but with space at a premium—it’s an on-going dance. How can we make this a more copasetic living arrangement, so that they can hang out in her room without upheaval? Our daughter is a cat lover, and we consider ourselves to be responsible and loving guardians.
Thank you,
Jill
N.Y.C.
Hi Guardian Jill,
Cats will be cats. Kids will be kids. And you are very cool guardians with your concern to bridge the gap. Here are a few suggestions to help your daughter and cats to maintain an amicable co-existence in her room and optional cat attractions:
- Your daughter can keep her play sets in a large cardboard or eco-friendly plastic container with a lid that can be closed when not in use.
- The exposed shelves can be enclosed with glass or Plexiglas so they're visible but cat-proof.
- Set up a ladder against an empty wall for them to hang out on that will provide another place for them to "look down" on their environment.
- Cardboard boxes and paper bags (cut off the handles) can be a fun source of entertainment.
- See if they’re interested in a game of hide and seek. Don’t be surprised if they respond.
Your cats' maddening behavior will inspire your daughter’s creativity in better housekeeping and motivate the family to provide alternative ways to challenge and supplement your cats’ daily regimen. Let it be a win-win for all!
THE ELEPHANTS NEED YOUR HELP
You can help prevent the sale of elephant ivory. Please visit http://www.idausa.org
You can now follow Carole on Twitter.
QUESTIONS TO CAROLE
Please consult with your veterinarian first to make certain that your animal companion's problem is not due to any medical condition.
If you have a question for Carole, you can email her at thecattherapist@idausa.org. We're sorry that Carole won’t be able to answer all questions, but the answers to many questions can be found in her IDA archives.
Oscar the Cat Predicts Death
Oscar is the feline resident at a nursing home in Providence, Rhode Island who seems to have predicted the deaths of 25 of the residents. In case after case, when he has curled up next to someone, it usually means they have less than four hours of life left. I was interviewed about Oscar by NBC-TV. Read all about Oscar on their site. To watch my video, click here.
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