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) January, 2011
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
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.)
BO SHINES IN A SURPRISE APPEARANCE
Bo joined First Lady Michelle Obama in greeting guests as they entered the Blue Room. It was a surprise appearance on the two-year anniversary of the President's inauguration to make the White House more open and accessible to the public. The First Lady encouraged the children to pet Bo and give gentle hugs—the seal of approval by Orion. May this be the start of a significant precedent. Go Bo!
ORION'S PRIVATE TIME
No, my Orion isn't upset. He's yawning. He's very comfy with his lavender-scented buddy now that I moved it to his hideaway in the walk-in closet. Orion savors his private time.
REIKI TREATMENTS FOR YOU AND YOUR CATS
I am very pleased to have completed my formal training as a Reiki practitioner. Reiki is a healing practice that promotes balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It usually consists of a "light touch" treatment that can bring rapid stress reduction and relief from pain and anxiety. A non-touch treatment, where learned symbols are used instead, is offered because of distance or a when a cat may not be amenable to such contact. Reiki is not a substitute for veterinary medicine, but can be used in a complementary fashion. The side effects of medication, radiation, and chemotherapy can be eased with Reiki treatments and can be particularly comforting in end-of-life compassionate care. I am now incorporating Reiki in to my cat practice to treat the "total cat," including his or her guardians.
Cat-friendly Green Tips For The New Year
Your Cat's Nutrition
Your cat is what your cat eats and drinks.
If your cat vomits frequently after eating, and is otherwise healthy, add some filtered water to the food to aid digestion.
Veggies such as broccoli and green beans or melon can provide low calories for a chunky cat who lives to eat.
Your cat may prefer to be fed when you're eating.
Homemade Toys Can Inspire Good Behavior
Your cat might like to chase the beam of a flashlight, a rolled- up scrap of used paper, or maybe a cork or bottle cap. If your cat’s a jumper, attach a string with bits of felt to the end of a curtain rod. A few waves, and your cat will spring to action.
Special TLC For Senior Cats
A cat-friendly heating pad can offer comfort and bliss to a frail or delicate cat—especially during the golden years.
Filtered water is easier on the kidneys because it contains less minerals.
A soft bedside stool, pillow, or box will make a more comfortable area for an arthritic or slow-moving geriatric.
Deviant Litter Box Behavior
Your cat may periodically purposely cold shoulder the litter box because of impacted anal glands. This behavior may be accompanied by tail chasing. A visit to the vet is in order.
Not every cat prefers a covered litter box, although most prefer a private or out-of-the way spot for their bathroom needs.
Emotional Comfort
Bizarre behavior can often mirror an emotional or medical problem and sometimes a combination of the two.
A cat may knead to recreate the feeling of happiness when nursed by the mother cat.
It's not unusual for a cat to be emotionally fragile when experiencing such shocks as the loss of a feline or canine companion or guardian.
COZMO WANTS TO WIPE OUT OUR OTHER CATS
Hi Carole,
I was wondering if there is any hope for our cat Cozmo, whom we rescued from a tree. We took him in with his sister and hoped we could integrate them with our other cats. Cozmo is wonderful with his sister but literally wants to kill our other cats whenever we try to put them together. Is there any hope for a behavioral change or would it be best for all of us if we found a new home for Cozmo and his sister? By the way, Cozmo did have a broken leg which was treated, and everyone is spayed and neutered.
Thank you,
Shelley
Hi Guardian Shelley,
How good of you to take Cozmo and his sister into your home and to assume the responsibility for his medical needs. You truly made a difference for these two homeless cats. Shelley, there is a chance that Cozmo might accept your other cats, but the trauma from his broken leg and abandonment has made him very fearful. His fear becomes aggression, and he lashes out at your other cats.
There is a possibility that he might feel safe enough to slowly accept your other cats with the following plan:
AN INTRODUCTION TO FULL-GROWN OLDER CATS
- Place expandable gates across the doorway of Cozmo’s room so the cats can all see each other without physical contact. Make certain that the gates are secure so there isn’t a slip-up.
- Move his food and water in view of the doorway to encourage him to hang out there. After this becomes a steady routine, place your other cats' food a few feet away from the opposite side of the gates to encourage them to make an appearance.
- Begin to play with Cozmo using his favorite toys or games in front of the gates, so he becomes even more comfortable in this space. Invite your other cats to join in so that you’re playing with all of them on their respective sides of the gates.
- My MP3 or "Caring For Your Cat" CD will provide your cats with continuous relaxation and you with behavioral tips. (Please visit thecattherapist.com for more info.)
The intent is to get your guys used to being close “at a distance,” so they can slowly build up trust and tolerance to be together. Once that is firmly established, the gates can be removed for short intervals. Shelley, you will be able to tell by their progress if Cozmo and his sister can ever become fully integrated members of your catdom.
Here's to the best outcome!
Carole Wilbourn, The Cat Coach?
Hi The Cat Coach (AKA The Cat Therapist),
Although your title is "The Cat Therapist," I think it would be fair to address you as The Cat Coach. You are the creator of behavioral cat therapy so I have been told. Therefore, you more than any other are the ideal one to instruct cat guardians and others on the subject of cat behavior. If you can be referred to as the "Kitty Freud, Reiki Practitioner, Cat Expert and Cat Whisperer," I propose that the title of "The Cat Coach" should be added to your "hat" collection. What do you say?
Yours,
M.S.
Hi Guardian M.S.,
Thank you for your interest in my cat practice. I am inclined to agree with your conclusion and proposal. My work with cats and their guardians is composed of coaching.
I am more than happy to add your recommendation of "The Cat Coach" to my "hat" collection.
The best to you,
Carole Wilbourn
The Cat Therapist (AKA The Cat Coach)
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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