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.
CATS ON THE COUCH, August '09
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
MONTREAL BOUND
"Orion, thanks for your support," I said, as I confirmed my plane reservation to Montreal for the last weekend in August. I was put on hold for what felt like an eternity, and wanted to scream. But as I started to fume, Orion started his morning wash, and I slowly let out a deep sigh as a smile covered my face. Orion scored again.
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.)
MORE ON BEAU AND THE FIRST FAMILY'S VACATION ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Orion has another thought on Beau's change of digs. There is no doubt Beau is in for an exciting and fun-filled change of pace. With the First Family's top-of-the-line security staff, there shouldn't be any glitches, but Orion feels this is an important time to make sure Beau's micro-chip is in place—just in case Beau takes an out-of-bounds turn on his new turf.
OUR CAT IS IN HIDING
Hi Carole,
Our cat, Bandy, has been missing for about a week. He's camped himself out under our neighbor's shed and he won't come out. The shed is old and there is only one way in and, unfortunately, it is too small for a person to fit under. We have two traps set up outside the hole with food, but he is able to get out and hunt so hasn't fallen for the traps. Whenever he's out, and we come near, he runs back under the shed. We have reason to believe that when he first disappeared, he had an encounter with some cat-hating neighbors, which is why he is hiding and won't return home. Do you have any thoughts on how we might coax him out?
Thank you for your help.
Jaime G.
Vermont
Hi Guardian Jaime,
Poor Bandy, and so sorry for you that he's in hiding. Jaime, here are some suggestions to lure Bandy out:
- Block off Bandy's exit, and position the traps at the opening in such a way that he can't slip through.
- If blocking isn't possible, some evening or early morning when it's dark, sit down at the opening of the shed with some of his favorite food that has a strong scent and maybe some catnip.
- Talk to him in an upbeat but calm voice.
- Take along one of his favorite toys to attract him - maybe a laser light.
- Take along a carrier or something unobtrusive, if you think the carrier will frighten him.
- Tell Bandy he's safe and you're okay.
- Take along some music if he's a music lover.
Jaime, if Bandy has already returned, you won't need this plan, but please be careful about his outings in the future. All our best for Bandy's safe homecoming.
MY CAT, MOLLY, IS FAN-PHOBIC.
Hi Carole,
Molly is my 2 and 1/2 year-old adopted and very friendly tabby cat. She is smart and even comes when I whistle. She follows me from room to room, loves to be in my lap and sleeps with me every night. And then the fan arrived. I recently had a ceiling fan installed in my bedroom and she is terrified, even when it’s off. Now Molly no longer enters the bedroom and, instead, skitters past the door on her way to the kitty litter in the bathroom. The fan is very quiet when it's on. But when it's operating and the light is on, the blades cast a large swirling shadow on the ceiling, which is what I believe frightens her. She always looks up and tenses her body. I have carried her into thebedroom for a few minutes at a time and talked softly to her. She tolerates this, and even purrs, but when I release her, she will hide under the bed, and slips away when she feels it is safe. She used to love to sit in the window and look out. Her brush is kept in the bedroom and every morning she loved to be groomed. No more. I am keeping the door shut when I am away because it looks like she didn't even use the kitty littler the first day she was alone. Perhaps she doesn't like the breeze the fan creates. Please send any recommendations.
Thanks,
Patricia
Hi Guardian Patricia,
I'm so sorry your Molly is fan-phobic. The following steps will make Polly a fan of fans and even a green-friendly cat:
- Play with Molly with a flashlight or a laser light beside your bedroom door so she becomes used to the beam and the fun of the chase.
- Feed Molly near the entrance to your bedroom so she's not focused on the fan.
After she becomes comfortable with these interactions, turn on the fan at a low speed for short periods of time while you’re interacting with her. Soft music will blur the whirling sound of the fan. This would be the perfect time to start brushing Molly, and remember to keep up a soft and happy dialogue. I'm confident that you will build up her endurance to the intrusion and the fan will soon be but a passing memory.
FURLESS FORE LEGS
Hi Carole,
My cat had recently taken to licking her front legs until the fur had worn off. My vet told me she was trying to tell me something. What could it be?
Michael
Hi Guardian Michael,
Yes, I do agree with your vet. She’s letting you know she's hurting and needs your help. Her obsessive compulsive licking could be a result of emotional anxiety. Was there anything unusual or upsetting that happened within the past several months? Schedule some daily private time with her, where she’s the focus of your attention. She may need more play time and to be reminded that she’s Number One. Her misbehavior could also be caused by a food allergy. Brushing will stimulate her circulation. And you could add a vitamin E and an omega fatty acid supplement to her food. Her licking may be a reaction to all of these problems. My CD will help to relax her. For more information, please refer to the beginning of my column.
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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