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 newly-released book (Dec. 2007) 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 Cat. Subscribe to the Wilbourn Way News, Carole's free newsletter.
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 Fabulous 13 and Older Cat Contest
This contest is in memory of Diana-Moon-Dust, my 18-year-old cat who was very, very FABULOUS.
The Prize Winners, chosen by the IDA office staff, are:
- 1st Prize Winner: Ruben receives an IDA "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved T-shirt, IDA commuter mug, IDA greeting cards set, and a phone consultation with The Cat Therapist.
- 2nd Prize Winner: Ollie receives an IDA "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved T-shirt and an IDA commuter mug.
- 3rd Prize Winner: Patsy receives an IDA license plate frame and black IDA logo lanyard.
All other entries will receive a short-sleeved "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved t-shirt.
CATS ON THE COUCH, TUESDAY, MARCH ll, 2008
ORION, AND THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
It was time for Orion’s dinner. He sat nearby as I prepared it. But as I placed it down for him to eat, he simply stared at me.
“What’s wrong Orion? Aren’t you hungry?” I said. He continued to stare. As I reached down to stroke him, he started to purr, and I felt my body relax. He slowly began to eat. I quickly realized that Orion’s stare was a reaction to my body language. It had been a tense, hectic day, and his behavior had mirrored my thoughts.
TEST YOUR CAT’S APTITUDE
Click on to meowmix.com
CLICK ON TO YOUTUBE TO VIEW A FREE CONSULTATION
GUARDIANS, PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
My cat Orion and I will be making a return appearance on Wednesday, May 14, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at:
The Mid-Manhattan Library
455 Fifth Avenue (at 40 Street)
New York City
Tel: (212) 340-0880
Please come and bring your questions.
FRISKIE HAS BALD SPOTS
Hello Carole Wilbourn,
My cat, Friskie, has bald patches on his back and I don't know what to do for him. At first I thought his fur was falling out because of his age. He's almost 14 years old. Then I saw him biting himself. Is there anything I can do for him? Thank you.
Latasha
Hello Guardian Latasha,
Friskie’s bald patches (alopecia) may be a result of diet, a medical problem, anxiety, or all three. Are you giving him the same amount of attention? If so, perhaps he needs more in his golden years. I think a thorough exam may be the solution. If his kidneys are in good shape, you might add 1/4 teaspoon of brewers’ yeast to his food. It’s high in B vitamins and good for stress and hair coat. May Friskie’s bald spots be replaced with shiny fur.
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER—FLUFFY WON’T COME NEAR US
Dear Carole:
Four months ago, a Maine Coon cat came to me while I was outside. She was bone thin, covered with burdocks and matted fur.
We took her in to be examined and vaccinated. She had already been spayed and her hind legs were declawed which made us very sad. We found her to be very loving. She even slept at the foot of our bed, came in to see us every morning, and would not go downstairs until we did.
Four days ago she disappeared. We were afraid she had slipped out, although she no longer went outside once she had moved in with us. After two days we gave up hope, but suddenly, there she was. But as soon as she saw us, she hid. Now she will only come out to eat and use the litter box while we’re asleep. This cat previously followed us around like a puppy, rubbing against our legs at every chance.
We gave her much love and attention. Did we overdo it? We love our Fluffy and miss her.
Best,
Walter
Dear Guardian Walter,
I’m so happy your Fluffy has returned. I do not feel you pushed her over the edge with your with your shower of attention. My feeling is that her latest outdoors encounter brought back memories of her abandonment—déjà vu of hard times—until you found her. She’s reliving the past as though it were the present.
The following tips should relieve Fluffy’s angst so she can regain her trust in you.
- Place her food and litter box in a room where there’s something she can hide under so she’ll feel safe.
- Some soft music would help to calm her and you could put some lavender potpourri or oil of essence in a dish. Lavender has a soothing affect.
- When you think she has settled into that room, you can spend some time in there—just hanging out and occasionally speaking softly to her. Don’t try to pull her out. It may take a few days but she will slowly emerge.
You might want to take her to the vet for a check up if she appears to be physically uncomfortable.
May your Fluffy rebound quickly—but please be patient. A cat follows his or her own script.
OUR CAT ATTACKS MY DAUGHTER
Hello Carole,
Please help me. I don't know what to do about my once feral, now lap-buddy Siamese mix. I have an excitable five-year-old daughter who has been bitten in the face three times now (the last time today) by my usually tolerant cat. When my daughter gets hurt, she runs down the hallway screaming like the world is coming to an end with me running behind yelling, “What happened, are you okay?” If she falls down or throws herself down on to the carpet, my cat comes running up and bites her. Today he bit her in the face but, fortunately, the bite wasn’t at all deep. It seems he is being protective of me. Maybe he thinks my daughter is attacking me. We don’t want this to happen again. We love our daughter and our cat. He is otherwise a well-mannered cat, but he has his limits and barely tolerates being held too close. He sleeps with my husband and I every night and relishes the attention he gets.
Renee
Dear Guardian Renee,
Your cat has come a long way but he is still emotionally thin-skinned. The next time your daughter is upset you should immediately, put your cat in another room and close the door. This way your cat and daughter will be protected from each other.
His aggressive reaction is triggered from fear and anxiety. Your daughter’s cries upset him and he resorts to “fight” instead of “flight.” He goes into attack mode and tries to wipe out what feels to be a threat to him. Your anxiety adds to the mix. If it is too difficult for you to sequester him at such “emergency” times, you could arrange to keep him in a separate area when your daughter is feeling vulnerable.
My CD (http://www.thecattherapist.com/) will help to increase his stress tolerance and give you many cat pointers.
If he’s not neutered, this would increase his anxiety, so you would want to schedule an appointment to discuss this with the vet. Please remember caution is the key.
I can't answer every email I receive, so please check the archives. Your answer may be already there. Remember, please add a picture of your cat along with your cat questions.
Prevent The Ebb And Flow Of Stress With My New CD
Remember that your cat can mirror your stress. My CARING FOR YOUR CAT—THE WILBOURN WAY CD will help to relax both you and your cat. Listen with your cat/s for instruction, relaxation and increased good guardian-companion energy. Click on to my site (http://www.thecattherapist.com/caring4yourcat.htm) and order now.
Guardians, Learn to Think Like a Cat!
My cat, Orion, and I were speakers at the NYC Cat Acatemy that was overflowing with feline guardians. It was a fun-filled catmosphere.
The Meow Mix Cat Acatemy has now finished their annual national tour. If you were unable to attend the Acatemy in person, you can learn to think like a cat with cat napping and my other online lessons. Score well on the aptitude test and you can get your online degree. The more you think like a cat, the better your feline relationship will be. You may need a little help from your cat. But won't your cat be proud of your choice in higher education where the tuition is free? Click here (http://www.meowmix.com/acatemy/lessons.htm) to participate in the fun.
Feed Homeless Cats for Free
Find out how you can help feed homeless animals for free with a simple click (http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3).
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, scroll down the right and click "cat therapist."