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, March ’09
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
LOVE THAT LOOK-ALIKE
Doesn’t Orion look sublimely contented and serene stretched
out on his throw. True, he’s comfy, but I think there’s a pride connection. I can’t say that he knows he and the throw are color- coordinated look-alikes. But he’s received so many compliments whenever he’s on it that the throw’s comfort is first on his A list. A cat is descended from the wild cat so why shouldn’t Orion have the pride of a lion!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(Orion, a former rescue, will represent cats and offer nuggets of wisdom regarding the future rescued First Dog—a Portuguese Water Dog.)
A photo of a few of Orion’s dog buddies appeared in my February column. Max was one of them. The photo long
preceded Max’s splash where he darted on to a country-frozen pond and fell through the melting ice. Instinctively, he started to paddle. His guardian was right there. She crawled her way over to Max and pulled him out. Had a Portuguese Water Dog, such as the future First Dog, been on the scene, Max could have held on to the dog’s tail, as the dog swam to safety—the swim of a hero!
OVER THE TOP
I just read your February column and newsletter. We keep the litter pan in the bathtub. This way, if the cats urinate over the side, you can turn on the shower and any spills go down the drain. Also, the litter doesn't track all over as it is contained in the tub. We've been placing the pan in the tub for over 30 years and it’s the best.
Ray S.
Thank you, Guardian Ray, for your suggestion for Joey’s “over the top” litter box behavior.
MY CAT WON’T STOP MEOWING
Hi Carole,
My six-year-old spayed, Manx cat needs constant attention from me. When she doesn't get it, she meows and whines constantly. It drives me crazy. I've tried to give her extra playtime, and extra toys. I am at work all day, and so I make a special effort to play with her each morning before I leave, and each day when I return. Even on weekends, if I am home all day, she constantly whines and meows. I have no idea what she wants, and I don't think she does either. The vet says she is perfectly healthy.
Any tips?
Gail
Hi Guardian Gail,
It sounds like your kitty needs some four-legged companionship to keep her happy. Your generous attention now isn’t enough to keep her emotionally healthy. She needs a cat or dog to work out her energy. Sorry, Gail, but try as you may, you’re not able to duplicate that kind of high energy.
But don’t despair. Here are some recommendations to end her continuous meowing—usually, a symptom of the single cat syndrome:
- You could adopt a very playful kitten or adolescent whose top priority is cats, so there will be an immediate connection. A young or adult male cat is an option. It’s sometimes difficult to put two older females together, but the male should be smaller than your cat so she isn’t threatened.
- Use The Wilbourn Way to introduce the newcomer to your cat. Refer to my January column in the archives or the top of my homepage for my book.
- If you’re unable to adopt a companion for your cat, perhaps you could arrange playdates with a cat-friendly dog. But be sure the dog is on a lead, and the dog’s guardian is present. Sometimes just observing a dog will help a cat to release energy.
Relief for your cat’s loneliness is within reach.
POST VET ANGST
Hello Carole,
We need your advice. I recently took my cat Boo to the vet
where he was hospitalized for a couple of days. No doubt, he was anxious when we arrived home. But you can imagine how upset I was when his biological sister, Diamond, turned on him. She hissed and struck him in the face with her paw. She did have her claws in, but that’s no reception for her brother. They’ve always been as thick as glue together. After she socked him, she jumped to the top of the cat tree and went to sleep. Boo looked as if he wanted to cry. A few days passed before they were an item again. Why did Diamond turn in to such a brat? What can I do to prevent a repeat in the future?
Thank you,
Elaine
Hello Guardian Elaine,
HOW TO PREVENT POST VET ANGST
- When you return with your cat from the vet, remove the cat from the carrier. Place your other cat in the carrier so this cat can get a whiff of the hospital scent.
- Rub down the cat who remained at home with the towel or liner from the carrier, to familiarize that cat with the alien scent. Do this in an upbeat way so it’s fun for your cat
- Offer your cats a small treat as a distraction.
- Remember to relax your body so your cats can receive your positive energy.
SEPARATION INTERVALS
If you feel your cats are still anxious, separate them for a while. Do this in a playful manner to lighten up the mood. Greet them with one of their favorite toys when you put them together again. Maybe they’d like to be brushed. If they’re still tense, they may need a longer separation interval. Eventually, they’ll calm down.
The more sympathetic and lighthearted you are, the better you’ll all feel. My “Caring For Your Cat” CD would be a fine security object for your two guys. Refer to the top of my home page for more information. Thanks for being such a thoughtful guardian.
KATRINA IS SPOOKED
Hello Carole,
I am a nun at a monastery in New Jersey. We are all devoted animal lovers. Our animals include cats, dogs, horses, and cows. Katrina, one of our cats, has become fearful of her favorite chair. She used to glare at anyone who tried to displace her. But now she sits on the chair for a quick minute and jumps off with a look of fright. What do you think happened to cause such a weird reaction?
Sincerely yours,
MMJ
Hello Guardian MMJ,
So sorry your Katrina is so distraught. It sounds like something spooked her when she was chair bound, and now her once-favorite chair has become her trauma object. She associates her chair with the source of her fear. Talk to her softly when she’s on her chair. Brush her if she’s receptive. You can even feed her on her chair. With repetition, Katrina’s chair should lose its emotional trauma.
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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