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, December ’08
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
Once again my Orion is spreading his therapeutic touch. But he, too, is a winner, because he’s nurtured by contact and attention. This therapy exchange takes place in a petit,
picturesque, park across the street from my building. So far, Orion has been the only cat to grace this area. There’s many a dog, but Orion is a dog lover. A dog is not a source of competition for Orion but a species that he can command and another source of therapy.
Orion and I have much to be thankful for. We’ve now shared three Thanksgivings, and we’re now on the heels of another holiday. This is a perfect time to share what we can with those we love and to give what we can to those who are in need.
Happy holidays to you my readers and loving guardians!
NIKO WON’T COME HOME
Hi Carole,
Niko, my young, orange and white, neutered cat, refuses to come into the house. This started when my brother moved in with my four cats and me after Hurricane Ike destroyed his home. Niko has always been wary of people, but never like this.
Whenever I try to bring him inside, he howls and runs from room to room, trying to find a way out. He won’t even come inside when my brother’s not at home. My brother is a sweet and gentle person who loves cats. What can I do to relieve Niko of his fear?
Thanks,
Laura
Hello Laura,
Poor, traumatized, Niko! He sensed your bother’s upset, and your brother became Niko’s terror target. This is a clear example of the ripple effect. Your brother’s anxiety threw your vulnerable Niko over the edge. He resorted to flight. The following recommendations should slowly help Niko to regain his place in your home:
- Bring Niko inside when your brother is not at home. Make him comfy in a small, sunny room with all of his accoutrements.
- Spend some time playing with him. You could offer him some catnip or one of his treats. Any of his special buddies can join him. Hold him in your lap if he’s amenable.
- Some soft music should help to relax him.
- Repeat this process until Niko becomes calm. It may take at least several days.
At this time you can let your brother enter Niko’s space and slowly sit down on the floor while you interact with Niko. Your brother should not interact with Niko. You can have a conversation with your brother, but continue to concentrate on Niko. If Niko becomes too anxious, have your brother leave the room, and try again at another time.
Laura, repetition is the key. Niko has to feel confident that your brother won’t harm him. The more relaxed your brother is when he enters Niko’s space, the better for Niko. Eventually, Niko will be able to accept your brother within his space. Maybe one day he’ll allow your brother to touch or hold him. But for now, let’s focus on Niko returning home.
MY CARPET IS A MESS!
Dear Carole,
I am at my wit's end with my cat Cinder. Cinder is eleven years old. I have had her for a year now. Her previous family gave her up. About six months ago she started scooting on the carpeting to clean herself after using the litter box. The vet recently performed laser surgery on excess tissue near her rectum, thinking that may be contributing to the problem. Since she has healed, she is back to scooting again. My carpet is becoming a mess, and I am getting depressed trying to deal with it. Can you please help me?
Sincerely,
Nancy
Hello Nancy,
Why not place a washable piece of carpet not far from her litter box. Cinder can use this to scoot on, and your carpet can be spared. Praise her whenever she uses her scoot carpet. She may even let you wipe her off after she uses her box. Nancy, relax and count your blessings.
HAPPY DROOL
Hello Carole,
My once feral cat, which is now semi tame and allows me to pet him, drools whenever I give him lots of love and pets. I have taken him to the vet, and there's nothing wrong with him. But he continues to drool during long pet sessions. I call it "Happy Drool" because he seems to only do it when he's rolling around totally happy and enjoying the whole touching experience. Is this normal? Have you heard of this kind of behavior before? Once I stop petting him, he stops drooling.
Thanks,
Chris
Hello Chris,
How cool! Your once feral cat can now accept intimacy. He’s come a long way, thanks to you. However, he has super sensitive salivary glands that cause him to drool when he’s stimulated-and they’re stimulated. There are quite a few cats that are affected in this way. Keep a wash -cloth or sponge on hand for the wipe-ups. Better to have a “happy drool than a “sick-related” drool. Carry on!
MY CAT SUCKS HIS PAW
Hello Carole,
My seven months old, un-neutered, male compulsively sucks on his front right paw. Is there anything I should be concerned about? I'm trying to break him of the habit. Whenever I see him doing it, I put my hand over his paw until he struggles to get away. I'm not sure how well it's working.
Alejandro
Hello Alejandro,
Your cat sucks his paw because it reminds him of the comfort he received from his mother when she groomed him and when he nursed. This paw sucking soothes him whenever he's in doubt or anxious. You might connect it to a child and thumb sucking. Distract him with the throw of a toy or a chase. A big hug may squeeze the pent-up energy out of him. This habit may disappear after he’s neutered.
QUESTIONS TO CAROLE
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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