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, February ’09
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
Orion loves to hang out with his dog buddies from the apartment across the hall. They provide nonstop entertainment and vicarious energy. What he especially loves is portraying “cool personified” as he watches them merrily race about. As T.S. Eliot wrote: “A cat is a cat. A dog is a dog.”
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Having been a rescue, Orion is looking forward to a rescue living in the White House. You can see he’s a dog lover, so he’s happy the First Daughters will have their very own dog. But on behalf of all cats, and for the benefit of the First Dog, Orion will offer his nuggets of wisdom along with his subtext. Yes he can!
OUR CAT DUMPS UNRELATED OBJECTS IN HER LITTER BOX
Hi Carole,
We have a nine-month-old spayed calico who’s the sweetest cat—except for one peculiar habit. She gathers up various objects and dumps them in her litter box. Not only do the objects become ruined, but there’s another major issue. We have another cat who won’t use the litter box when it’s “littered” with foreign objects. She leaves a puddle on my son’s bed. What can we do to end this double trouble? What’s the message?
Thanks,
Melanie
Hi Guardian Melanie,
It may be she has dreams of becoming an interior decorator, but she’s chosen an inconvenient location. However, this habit sounds like “nesting.” It’s related to maternal behavior. These items have become her surrogate kittens. Her litter box has become their home. Here are some suggestions to modify this issue:
- Add another litter box so she can have a private nesting place. Praise her when she “decorates” this box to reinforce her using this box for her recreational pursuit.
- You can also place a basket with a couple of her toys in a quiet spot, and show her the basket. Talk softly –almost in a whisper—so this basket becomes very special. Tell her this basket is very special. Although she won’t understand your words, she’ll get the message through your tone of voice, breathing, and body language.
- Try to spend more time playing and talking to your two cats. Include them verbally when you interact with your son. A mention of their names will resonate with them.
Cats love to be included.
BED PUDDLES
Your other cat’s deviant behavior may be a reaction to an encumbered litter box, but it could also be symptomatic of a medical problem. The vet may want to check her out and run a urinalysis. If no medical problem is found, my CAT CARING CD, with soothing music, is an easy way to help cats to relax. It will become their security object and contains behavioral tips for Guardians. (Refer to top of this page for more info.)
Melanie, Valentine’s Day is an ideal time to celebrate your relationship with your cats with an IDA I AM MY CAT’S GUARDIAN T-SHIRT. You’ll smile when you wear it, and your cats will mirror your good energy.
Let’s welcome an unencumbered litter box and bed.
OUR CHANSEY IS IN MOURNING
Hi Carole,
We are very sad because we have lost our nine-year-old cat, Shadow, from a sudden heart attack. Poor Chansey, who was Shadow’s brother and loving companion, is wandering from room to room meowing for him. He’s now spending a lot of time with us. We love the attention but want to be sure he’s happy. Do you think he is too old to eventually be introduced to another cat or kitten? Skylark, our five-year-old dog, who acts like a puppy, loves Chansey. Chansey "tolerates" but does not love Skylark. She’s a big dog with an abundance of energy who can overwhelm
Chansey.
Thanks,
Maria
Hi Guardian Maria,
So very, very, sorry about your dear Shadow, and for Chansey who is now in mourning. I do think you can adopt a feline friend for him if he continues to be blue. A cat or kitten who adored cats, would adore Chansey, and he would bond quickly with a newcomer who resembled Shadow. Refer to my Wilbourn Way of introduction in the archives (January, ’09).
As for Skylark, maybe some puppy play dates would expend enough of her high energy so that Chansey can periodically return her love.
IDA sends its warmest regards to you and your family.
OVER THE TOP
Hi Carole,
I love my cat Joey. He’s affectionate, playful, and immensely compassionate. But sometimes he urinates over the sides of the litter box. The vet did a urinalysis, and Joey’s bladder is healthy. His tail had to be amputated several years ago, so it may be that at times he’s uncomfortable, and his incidents are symptomatic. But there must be a better way to control the drips. I tried a covered litter box to no avail. The urine drips out when I remove the cover, and Joey prefers an uncovered box. What can I do to help Joey stay within “the boundaries”?
Thanks for your help,
Carol G.
Hi Guardian Carol,
What a dilemma! Joey’s discomfort is definitely contagious. Here are my recommendations to minimize the drips:
- Purchase a long plastic tray that’s made to hold plants, and place it under the litter box. This will prevent any leakage on to the floor.
- Place Joey’s litter box inside a much larger plastic container or replace his litter box with this large container that would make it difficult for Joey to position himself over the edge.
You could also ask the vet if there’s something to remedy his periodic discomfort.
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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