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)
July, 2011
NEW YORK OPEN CENTER
Please join Orion and me for a special two-evening presentation of THE TOTAL CAT—Healthy Solutions for Hard-To-Resolve Issues. I will work with one cat at each of the two sessions. Contact the Open Center for your cat to be considered. Otherwise, please leave your kitty at home. Guests include a staff member of IDA who will speak on the many benefits being a "guardian" instead of an "owner."
WHERE: New York Open Center, 22nd East 30th Street
WHEN: Wednesday, July 20th and 27th, 8-10:00 p.m.
212-219-2527 ext. 2. For more information, visit http://www.opencenter.org/the-total-cat-healthy-solutions-for-hard-to-resolve-issues/
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
ORION'S COME-HITHER LOOK
Doesn't Orion look comfy and so relaxed? He may be focused on relaxation, but there's another motive. Orion wants me to come hither. He wants a tummy rub.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(Orion, a former rescue, will represent cats and offer nuggets of wisdom regarding Bo, the rescued First Dog—a Portuguese Water Dog.)
BO WAS NAMED AFTER....
Orion was pleased to learn that Bo was named after the First Lady's father, whose nickname was Diddley and thrilled that Bo is also the name of Malia and Sasha's cousin's cat.
DEWEY MAY BE A CLOSET INTERIOR DECORATOR
Hi Carole,
My cat Dewey likes to knock pictures and plaques off the wall. Sometimes they land behind my wall unit and are very difficult to retrieve. Do you have any suggestions on changing his behavior? I also have his sister, Tina. She merely knocks pens on the floor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Guardian Harriet
Hi Guardian Harriet,
Your Dewey sounds like a real mover and shaker, and a closet interior decorator. Dewey might be bored and this is his creative way of working out his boredom. Short of constructing something that will keep your decorations where "you" want them, he needs vigorous quality and quantity playtime. Here are some suggestions to inspire a frustrated Dewey:
- Toss and fetch with foil balls.
- A new scratching post.
- Catnip a few times a week.
- A nature video.
- Line up boxes or paper bags and cut out their bottoms so Dewey can have a Dewey tunnel to run through.
- A flashlight or laser beam for him to chase.
But remember to wind down gradually from any of these interactive activities so as not to startle him while in high-speed motion.
Maybe he needs some lessons from Tina. Good luck with the new Dewey workout program.
I CAN'T PILL CHARLIE
Hi Cat Expert,
Maybe you call tell me how I can give my cat Charlie a pill. He is the love of loves but to refer to one of your topics—I adore Charlie, but I can't pill him without a freak-out.
I need your expert advice.
Thanks,
Doris
Hi Guardian Doris,
Your Charlie isn't alone in his pill rejection. So let me give you some tips to make this easier for the two of you.
Pre-pill:
- Line up one of his favorite toys.
- Relax your body, and breathe freely.
- Turn on some music that you both enjoy.
Ready, set, go:
- Put you arm around him firmly but gently.
- Tell him what a good boy he is.
- As you open his mouth and tilt his head back, insert the pill, and kiss him on the nose. This action will cause him to swallow.
- Once more tell him he’s a good boy.
Follow up with playtime with his favorite toy that you have ready to go.
If Charlie is too squirmy, wrap him in a towel. This should be done firmly but with love.
Sometimes a pill has to be crushed in a small tasty morsel of food, or a pharmacist can prepare a compound of the pill mixed with your cat's favorite flavor of food, or given transdermally (a patch or with a syringe by ear.) I'm hoping Charlie prefers my way!
MY CATS' RELATIONSHIP HAS CHANGED—TARA IS BOPPING FRANKIE BACK (BOUNDARY CHANGE)
Hi Carole,
I've noticed a change in the relationship of my two five-year-old cats. Frankie, a neutered male, has always been the dominant cat with Tara, his spayed companion. Whenever he would bop her one or bite her on the neck, she never fought back, but now she lets him have it. When this happens, Frankie looks confused and agitated. This sudden change in the balance of power may lead to trouble. Why do you think this happened? I'd like your advice so I can prevent any major dilemmas.
Thanks,
Cindy
Hi Guardian Cindy,
I'm so pleased that you're so on target with your cats' relationship. A change in boundaries can be problematic. With any relationship, there's always the possibility that the roles can change, and your Tara's role is doing just that. She no longer wants to be putty in Frankie's paws. No doubt, Frankie is surprised at Tara's new behavior. Here are some tips to bridge the gap and nurture their new relationship:
- Schedule them for a vet exam to rule out any medical problems in case this is medically provoked.
- Distract them with a toss of a toy or fun pastime at the start of a free-for-all if you feel this could lead to fur flying.
- Whenever Frankie starts to wrestle with Tara, tell him how smart and sportsman-like it was for him to teach Tara how to defend herself when he play fights. He won't understand your words, but he'll feel proud and happy with your praise. The better he feels, the better Tara will feel, leading to a ripple effect.
- Double up on your attention with the two of them. Remember to acknowledge Frankie whenever you interact with Tara and vice-versa. Cindy, it's important to keep them both in the love loop.
Pamper yourself, and tell them you're okay. Cats tend to mirror your angst. You're a huge influence on their behavior. You might also consider a Reiki treatment to bring balance to this situation. Refer to my site for more information - thecattherapist.com
A SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION
Hi Carole,
I'm thrilled - the attached photo says it all. Your session with my guys and me was the tonic Xena needed to wipe out her remaining angst and doubts. You mentioned when you were here that it was important for us to concentrate on Xena if you wanted her to accept Desi into her catdom. It was almost as if Desi had read Xena's script because he certainly stayed on the fringes while Xena put on a gala performance. She's such a ball of energy.
You told me that ten days from the day they hung out together and Xena groomed Desi, that I could start to show him affection, as long as I acknowledged Xena verbally.
Today she groomed his tail, and they're an item. So in ten days I'll have two cats to hug. They've been together for less than two weeks. Thank you, Carole. The Wilbourn Way works!
Kate
Hi Guardian Kate,
I'm so pleased that Xena's introduction to Desi was such a success. The best to the three of you!
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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