May, 2004

» CHEWING

Dear Concerned Guardian:
Sounds like your daughter's absence has wreaked havoc with your cat's emotions. Urinary problems and repeated licking and chewing of the skin are frequently symptoms of stress. I'm glad his bladder is better, but now his skin has become his stress target. It's important to ease the stress and feeling of angst so he feels more comfortable and doesn't resort to self-mutilation. Here are some tips that should make him feel better:

• Add some omega fatty acids to his diet by way of food or vitamin supplements. These will ease any actual itching of his skin.
• Brush him daily. This will aid his circulation and massage his body.
• Consider adopting a second cat for distraction and long-term friendship. Consult my book, The Total Cat, for how to match his catsonality and for my proven best introduction technique.
• Arrange to spend extra daily private time with him.

» A Super Anti-Social Cat

Dear Carole:
I thought I was a cat expert until now. I've socialized many feral cats. But now I have one that totally stumps me. She was one of a litter born in the woodpile next door. Their mother nursed them until they could eat on their own and vanished. I was able to trap the kitten that remained in a humane trap. A couple of hours after the kitten calmed down, I did my usual trick. I spread some chicken baby food on a stick and put it on her nose. She totally ignored it. Nor would she like if off my finger or on a stick. With
the stick, I scratched her gently behind the ears and other areas that cats like to be touched. I talked to her softly. But still no go. Finally, I positioned the trap so a couple of my cats could see her. She never looked their way and they ignored her. I released her into a much larger cage. I later put my friendliest cat, who always welcomes newcomers, in with her. No reaction from either. Not even fleeting sniff or eye contact. After several weeks, when I opened the cage to clean it, she shot out and took residence in a tiny cabinet high up in the kitchen. The space is only big enough for two cats. Sometimes one of my other cats stops by for some of her food. But there is no contact or recognition from either. She uses the liter box and has a good appetite. When I'm not around, she comes down to use the litter box. Otherwise, she stays in the cabinet. Such a dreadful existence! She is now about a year old and has never appeared to have had a heat. I thought if she did, she would be more inclined to relate to another cat. Perhaps she's afraid, although she never hisses. She's never played or even meowed. I feel so helpless! Any suggestions?

~ Very Distressed

Dear Very Distressed:
You are, indeed, a dedicated cat-lover. I agree with you that this cat is very traumatized. Let's give her a name. For, Let be Angel for good luck. It's possible that Angel may have had a silent heat. Perhaps, you can carry out the following recommendations:

• Add a homeopathic tranquillizer to her food, or something prescribed by a sympathetic vet.

• Once you have arranged to get her into an appropriate trap or carrier, she can be taken to the vet. If Angel can be spayed, generally, her hormonal level will decrease with a couple of weeks and she should become more relaxed.

• Angel should be released to a roomy cage with all her comforts. You might want to throw a cover over it at first.

• Soft music should help to relax her. As she slowly begins to relax, Angel might be able to appreciate a touch of catnip.

• A nutritious, health diet will add to her moving ahead.

• She should be more open to the trust your other cats have in you and their companions, so they become her role models.

• Cats are affected by scent and a touch of lavender potpourri nearby.

• Angel's quarters should be soothing to her and your other cats. Aromatherapy is soothing addition.

Good luck to you! Let's hope that Angel, slowly but surely, joins the ranks of your catdom. You might also want to refer to my book, The Total Cat (Quill), for additional information.

~ Carole

» Ambush and Attack

Dear Carole,
Ju Ju and Faxi are my two young, neutered cats. They're a terrific duo, but there's something that puzzles me. Every now and again, one of them will ambush and attack the other. Sometimes there are also yelps. Shortly after their toss and tumble, they will frequently groom each other, which can also lead to a brief wrestling match. But they don't seem to hold a grudge and there are no injuries. What do you make of it?

~ Perplexed

Dear Perplexed,
Aren't you lucky that your two guys are so physically robust and emotionally happy? JuJu and Faxi are a classic example of a well-integrated duo. The ambush and attack behaviour is a natural way for cats to release any pent-up feeling, angst and call-of-the-wild energy. Also, the repetitions motion of grooming can lead to a release of energy. If this energy wasn't released in this catlike and harmless mode, it could possibly trigger "deviant" or troublesome cat behavior. Keep up the good work. Your two guys' happy catsonalitites are a reflection of your care.

» For MORE INFO, ask the cat therapist