Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, international phone consults and her current book is THE TOTAL CAT (Quill). She also sees appointments at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Subscribe to Carole's free newsletter on her website by clicking onto www.thecattherapist.com/wilbourn_way.htm

My column will appear online the second week of every month.
If you have a question guardians, please send an email to Carole. Scroll down to see my column. I can't answer every email I receive, so please check the archives. Your answer may be already there.

On behalf of IDA, I would like to extend our sincerest sympathy to any guardians whose companion animals have suffered or gone over the rainbow because of the contaminated food. Let us hope this critical issue will be resolved now, without any repeats.

If you have or had a cat 13 and older who is fabulous, and even if he or she is no longer with us, you are invited to enter IDA’s Fabulous 13 and Older Cat Contest. Just tell us what makes your elder cat a winner and a cat that cannot be forgotten in 50 words or less! Please include a photo with your entry and send it to: thecattherapist@idausa.org or to CATS ON THE COUCH CONTEST c/o IDA at 3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, California 94901.

CONTEST HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JULY

1st prize: "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved t-shirt, IDA commuter mug, and IDA greeting cards set, and phone consult with The Cat Therapist

2nd prize: "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved t-shirt and an IDA commuter mug.

3rd prize: IDA license plate frame and black IDA logo lanyard.

This contest is in memory of Diana-Moon-Dust, my 18 year old cat who was very, very FABULOUS.

Whiskers Natural Pet Supply Hosts Cat Behavior Q & A Session By Carole On May 19th

I am pleased to announce that my friends at Whiskers Natural Pet Supply will host a cat behavior Q & A session and book signing at their store in Manhattan on Saturday, May 19, 2007 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. There won't be a formal presentation. I will speak with cat guardians individually, answer their questions and sign my books, which will be on sale. Whiskers is at 235 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10003. Their telephone numbers are 212-979-2532 and 800-WHISKERS

“We found Luka on the street. He was a tiny kitten in horrible shape. His pupils were nowhere to be seen,” said Lin. “It turned out he had a neurological problem. That’s why his head is tilted.” I had arrived to do a therapy session with Luka. As Lin mentioned, Luka certainly did have a tilted head, but otherwise this hunk of a white and black, three years old cat managed quite well.

But there was a major difficulty in Luka’s behavior. He ran a destruction derby usually at 4:00 a.m. and at various, sundry times during the day. One by one, he would knock over ornaments, books, lamps, and whatever else he could get his paws on. Although Lin and her roommate had bought heavier lamps and moved breakables out of reach, he still found objects to wreck. Luka loved an audience. In fact, he rarely performed when Lin and her roommate were away from home. Evidently, Ziggy, his twelve-yearold companion, wasn’t interested in Luka’s performance. At present, he was in the bedroom, stretched out on the bed.

After I’d gathered my information, I explained my impression of what was causing Luka’s bizarre behavior, and gave a plan of treatment. Luka’s behavior was almost a metaphor for his “head tilt.” He was somewhat off balance and he created an environment that reflected this. “He’s a frustrated construction worker or, better yet, a wrecker!” I said and smiled. More seriously, I told them that Luka, because of his neurological problem and early deprived kittenhood, was particularly sensitive to their body language. As the morning approached, their bio rhythm changed as their time to get up approached. Luka became aroused and anxious. It was his “wake-up call.” They woke him up and he returned the favor.

“What about his weird behavior during the day?” asked Lin. I explained that “transitional angst” was the primary reason. He usually acted out when they arrived home. Up until that time, he and Ziggy were hanging out and the energy changed when they appeared. He over-reacted and his burst of energy resulted in a demolition performance.

“So what do we do?” Lin asked. I answered that they could take him for a walk in the hall to shift his energy or perhaps they could set up a tunnel of paper bags or boxes that he could bat around. If he was still “performance oriented,” they could sequester him in one of their small rooms or the bathroom with all of his comforts so he could wind down.

Ziggy could join him if he was interested. They should sequester him as a treat, not a treatment. When they felt he had calmed down, he could leave his sanctuary.

This same sanctuary could be used at bedtime or at 4:00 a.m., whichever time worked best. Luka might meow the first few nights, but he would soon accept the space as his security object. I realize it’s no fun for guardians to be sleep deprived. Luka spent most of the night on the bedroom dresser so this shift wouldn’t deprive him of their bed.

It was important that they play the music and conversation I recorded during his therapy session as continuous relaxation and therapy for both Luka and Ziggy. “You can phone me with a progress report,” I said. “We can make any further adjustments that Luka needs to change his dramatic image.”

Dear Carole,

I could really use some advice on what to do about my extremely shy and paranoid indoor female cat.

I got her from the SPCA about five years ago, when she was about 10 weeks old. The SPCA told me that she was found in an abandoned house, along with her mother and brothers and sisters. They said that when the SPCA workers found the cats, they were so scared they all ran away into the surrounding forest and had to be hunted down.

Anyway, I really liked "Lenny" over and above all the other kittens there because she was really into her toys and didn't pay any attention to the other kittens around her. I wanted a "fun" kitten that liked to play. So I brought her home and introduced her to my three other cats (aged 12 - 13), who didn't pay her much attention (and still don't today).

Lenny is great with me, follows me everywhere, is tolerant with my husband but hides when we have company. We tried to get her used to other people when she was younger, but one day she bolted and from that time on she’s the phantom cat with company. What would you suggest?

Thanks, Teri

Dear Guardian Teri,

Your Lenny really had a rough start to life. You were lucky to find each other and it’s terrific she’s so fond of you. To get her used to company, here are some tips:

• Start off with a very mellow friend.
• Before the friend arrives, sequester Lenny in a cozy, sunny, small room.
• Turn on some very mellow music.
• When your friend arrives, sit on the rug or floor and engage in pleasant conversation.
• After awhile, wave one of Lenny’s favorite toys but do it in a way where you’re seductive but not calling to her. This way Lenny will associate your friend with positive activity.
• Repeat this a few times and eventually, your friend can use one of the toys, in a low-key fashion to entice Lenny.
• Catnip is an option if she likes it or food as a last resort.

My book, The Total Cat, will give you additional information and I am also available for consults. Refer to my site (www.thecattherapist.com) for more advice.

Hello, Carole:

We have a "male" cat that we found as a kitten nine years ago. At that time we took him to the vet to be checked. The vet estimated him to be approximately five months old. He appeared to be neutered. We asked about the possibility of him having un-descended testicles and were told it was doubtful, but without exploratory surgery it couldn't be determined with 100% accuracy.

This is strictly an indoor cat. He is only let out onto our enclosed screened-in porch via a kitty door. Well, now after nine years, he is spraying around the house, raising and twitching his tail. This makes us wonder if he ever was truly neutered. What course of action do you think we should take to resolve this problem? If a cat does have un-descended testicles, can he still spray?

Thanks, Amy

Dear Guardian Amy,

Yes, a cat with un-descended testicles can spray because he is still intact, still a tom cat. This condition is called “cryptorchid.” If your cat is in this category, it may be that he’s being stimulated by outdoor, alien cats. However, there are some neutered cats that go through the motions of spraying but don’t actually spray, and even some who do spray but the urine is usually not strong smelling (these cats are in the minority). It has to do with the particular cat’s sensuality, energy level, and vulnerability.

Sometimes a veterinarian can determine if a cat is still intact, if the cat’s penis has barbs on it. There may be another way. But otherwise, an exploratory would be the answer.

Try keeping your cat away from your screened-in porch for a while, as this may be the source of his “deviant” behavior. Good luck!

Dear Carole,

Last year I was visiting a friend when I saw this Himmy outside in the pouring rain crying at the door to my neighbor’s house. He looked GROSS!! My friend told me that three months before those people moved out leaving their house cat behind. The new tenants wanted nothing to do with him (the way he looked not many people would). I was getting ready to leave and when I opened the car door, in he jumped. He was dirty and so matted it was hard to see how beautiful he was. Well I took him home. I have named him Horus de Piwacket, KiKi. I took him to the vet who said he was healthy, though underfed. He was already neutered. The vet suggested he was close to four years old or so. Well Horus...has become my pride and joy and gets along well with my neutered male Pomeranian dog. In fact, they seem to like each other. However, Horus has a bad habit. He thinks my blankets are a female cat. In fact he thinks so several times a day. Any suggestions? Please?

Dear Guardian:

It’s wonderful that you rescued Horus and that he and your dog are buddies. As for his blanket action, it is a symptom of sexuality and sensuality. The blankets are soft and cozy. They bring out his male energy. Why not get him a blanket or stuffed animal that he can claim as his “sexual object.” You might also adjust his diet and make sure that it’s of high quality. A neutered male can still be very sensual.

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you for sending along your testimonials. It lets other guardians know that their cat questions can be solved and lets me know that my column is helping cats to leave the couch.

Fabulous Felines

Don't miss out. You owe it to your cat/s. Scan photos to thecattherapist@idausa.org

Click on to Fabulous Felines and you'll see why this is a Feline Must!

Testimonials

Cat guardians, There is a new addition to CATS ON THE COUCH. Click on to TESTIMONIALS and read all about Winston and his rescue.

Stroll With Your Cats

There's a perfect and fun way to safely enjoy the outdoors with your cats. Click on to thecattherapist.com and then to Kittywalk

Cat Talk

CAT TALK is now available. Find out what your cat is TRYING TO TELL YOU. So guardians, click on to the Cat Store.

Carole's Newsletter - "The Wilbourn Way"

The Wilbourn Way Newsletter is Carole's free email newsletter, which brings you Carole's personal view on cat culture monthly..

Molly Of Myers Keswick Is Rescued

"Oh come on Molly you can do it," said cat therapist Carole Wilbourn.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Cat therapist Carole Wilbourn used the sounds of whales on tape and catnip to try and lure Molly out Wednesday. CBS

Feral Cats

Saturday, September 9, in San Francisco, the third annual National Feral Cat Summit will take place. You don't want to miss the only conference in the U.S. devoted exclusively to feral cats. Click on to neighborhoodcats.org for details.

Feral Cats

Each day we strive to give our cats the very best care. Helping feral cats is a valuable and wonderful way to extend social response to Neighborhood Cats can be your source of assistance.

You may even be the guardian of a feral cat—so you're aware of the beauty they possess. My late cat, Ziggy-Star-Dust was a feral kitten and the cure for my anxious, reformed attack cat, Sunny-Blue. After Sunny passed-on, Star-Dust took on many of his Sunny's traits—particularly, Sunny's Siamese cry. He was nine years old at the time but lived until seventeen. He taught me so many things, including patience and loyalty.

There is a chapter on feral cats in my book, THE TOTAL CAT, click on to my site, thecattherapist.com, for more info. You can also refer to the archives for my column, click on to Archives at top of page. There are articles from 11/04, 1/05, 11/15/05.

Let us all be socially responsible for feral cats on behalf of our own cats.

Remember, please add a picture of your cat along with your cat questions.

» CAROLE'S NEWSLETTER--THE WILBOURN WAY"