July, 2004



» NEW BABY MALAISE

Hello Carole:
I have a five-years-old neutered male cat. His loss of weight and change in attitude has me worried. During my pregnancy he wouldn't miss a chance to give me a nip or scratch-even when he came for affection. But now all of that's changed. He spends a lot of time outside, turns his nose up at the food he's eaten since he was one and is so very thin. Could he have caught a disease from one of the cats outside? What should I do to help him?

~ Teri

Dear Guardian Teri:
Your cat appears to be a victim of "new baby competition". Yes, new baby malaise has pushed him over the edge. He no longer feels loved. His malaise has affected his appetite and cat-sonality. The great outdoors has become his refuge. Take this opportunity to have the vet give him a thorough physical to rule out any medical problem. Awry emotions can trigger a medical problem. Why not treat him to a new scratching post or climber. (My web site will give you some ideas.) Tell him how handsome he is, mention his name when you interact with your baby so he'll feel included. He won't understand your words but he'll respond to your tone of voice and body language. Try to give him private time. If this isn't possible, perhaps you can arrange for a neighbor's child to visit him. He needs to be fussed over. Go all out!

You've had to adjust to adjust to a whole new situation. Your baby needs your full attention. It's not unusual that your cat would feel rejected. But you're sensitive and caring. These suggestions should boost his morale. You might even consider a new feline companion that he could mentor and hang out with. (Refer to my book, THE TOTAL CAT / QUILL, for the introduction of a new cat or kitten.) Here's to a happy cat!

~ Carole


» POST-VET ANGST

Hello Carole:
I have a fourteen-year-old neutered male and a spayed five-year-old female. I took my male cat to get a lion hair cut and when we came back, my female cat started to hiss and growl. This behavior has continued. Why is she doing this?

~ Simone

Dear Guardian Simone:
Your female's hostile reaction was a result of his angst and "unfamiliar" scent. Although, his new cut is probably stunning, he was probably a tad anxious from his hospital stay. His usual scent was mixed with alien elements. So to your female cat, he was the enemy. To prevent this catastrophe in the future, you can rub the non-patient with the towel from the carrier so the scent is transferred. Also, a touch of catnip in the carrier will be an inducement to jump in and explore. Soon the two cats will smell alike. As for now, try to play with them together so she forgets her resentment and fear. If they like brewer's yeast or have another favorite that they enjoy, sprinkle some on his back or tail so she can lick it off. Whenever she starts to hiss, distract her with your voice and point to some object she likes. Repetition will slowly wipe out her animosity.

~ Carole


» THE TERRIFIED NEWCOMER

Hello Carole:
I found my young orange cat-emaciated and not fully grown-on the street a few weeks ago. More accurately, she found me and asked for my help. She stayed outside my house for about ten days. I fed her on the porch. We soon moved to a new home with my "five" cats roaming around. She hisses and cries menacingly at every cat who comes near. But her choice is to isolate in my bedroom all day while I'm away. When I return home, she's unhappy and cranky. I want her to be comfortable with my five cats. She will now sit on my lap while I am in the living room but screams when one of the cats come near. Her prime time is when she curls up next to me when I sleep. How can I make her happy at other times?

~ Wendy S.

Dear Wendy:
So good of you to rescue this needy kitty. Do you think she's been spayed? If so, her ear might be notched or there might be a scar from an incision on her abdomen. An intact female would be particularly wary and asocial with other cats. Do arrange to have her spayed if she is intact. Chances are she'll be somewhat more relaxed after her hormonal level is lowered. It's terrific that she sleeps with you. Here are some suggestions to help her to accept your other cats:

  • Place two puppy gates on the doorway to your bedroom so she can see and interact with you other cats without physical contact. Put her food and water next to the gates so she will be inspired to come front and center. The object is to allow her to scream and posture at your other cats without any injury. You can remove the gates when you're home.
  • If the gates or another type of barrier are not feasible, you can put her with her creature comforts in a large crate or cage. This can be her sanctuary where she will feel safe and secure.
  • When you're home, try to get them to play next to each other. This way her angst will be devoted to "play" instead of fear. Dangle some strings, toys, or whatever intrigues them. Catnip might also be an option. Whenever she starts to become anxious, distract her with your tone of voice or a toss of a toy. Don't let the tension increase.
  • Tell your other cats that they're so generous with their home to allow this new cat to join them. Of course, they won't understand your words but your tone of voice and body language will transfer a relaxed feeling.

These tips should help to tame her feral catsonality. My book, THE TOTAL CAT, will also clear the air.

~ Carole

» LITTER BOX ANGST

Dear Carole:
JI have two neutered adult male cats. Although I change their litter boxes at least twice a day, one of them refuses to use the litter box if there's any deposit in it. I recently moved in with my boyfriend who doesn't want to have three litter boxes out ANYMORE. What can I do to induce my cat to be more accepting?

~ Lacey

Dear Lacey:
Could your cat be a victim of culture shock-a new home, a second full-time person and a loss of a litter box. Try replacing the third litter box. Tell your boyfriend that this may only be temporary. Once you've added the litter box, double up on attention to your cats, praise them whenever they use the litter box, scoop frequently and make sure the boxes are in convenient and relatively peaceful spots. To increase their confidence and self-esteem, why not treat them to a new scratching post and try to mention your cats when you hang out with your boyfriend. They may be feeling a bit rejected. This mention will ease this angst.

If the incidents still occur, there may be a medical problem and the "incidents" may be symptomatic. A visit to the vet would rule out any medical problems. This deviant behavior could also be precipitated by rivalry. Try to give them equal attention and some private time to nurture their emotional growth.

~ Carole


» THE CAT WHO WASN’T THERE

Dear Carole:
Jeffrey Lee is a neutered, five-years-old, male of about fourteen years. He’d lived with seven other cats who never accepted him and made his life miserable. Jeffrey hasn’t been with me long. He’s been hiding a little less but he hisses and growls when I approach him. I can pet him when he comes to eat and he inhales the contact. But suddenly he becomes hostile and scary. His strength is over the top. What can I do during this adjustment period? He’s my only cat and I want to provide what he needs as we learn to live together

~ New Guardian

Dear New Guardian:
Congratulations on your new companion! What a treat it must be for Jeffrey not to be low cat on the cat pole. Sounds like he’s made a few strides forward in his life. But he’s still filled with residual angst and insecurity because of his previous situation. Although he welcomes your contact, he becomes easily over-stimulated and this causes him to over-react with hostility. Stop petting him before he’s had too much. A swish of his tail, ripple of his back or a wiggle of his ears may be your tell-tale signs. For now, he can’t process too much contact - so take it slow. Think of Jeffrey as a beginner. There’s lots of time.

Talk to him in a friendly and confident voice so he’ll absorb your energy. A cot is affected by a person’s body language and tone of voice. Try him with a bit of catnip sprinkled on one of his toys or scratching post. My book, THE TOTAL CAT (Quill) will give you ideas on how to make cat toys and preferred scratching posts.

Jeffrey’s diet should consist of the premium or organic cat foods. You can consult your vet or local animal supply shop for recommendations. After all, a cat is what a cat eats! After you and Jeffrey have bonded, you may want to increase your guardianship to another cat. If Jeffrey’s play energy overwhelms you, the right kitten or cat might be the solution. But for now, you and your Jeffrey are still in the "learning about each other" mode, so, one day at a time!

~ Carole

» MY CAT HAS A SORE

Dear Carole:
My cat has a round sore on his shoulder which he licks raw. It vanished for the winter, but it’s returned this spring even larger than last spring. Even if it starts to heal, it’s a no-win because he licks and licks. Is it seasonal allergy? Could he be allergic to North Carolina pollen or other warm weather allergens?

~ North Carolina Guardian

Dear N.C. Guardian:
Sounds like your cat’s sore is seasonal. Make an appointment for him with your vet, who can decide whether or not it’s an allergy and possibly give him something to treat the sore and prevent another outbreak next spring. Let’s wipe out that sore!

~ Carole

» For MORE INFO, ask the cat therapist