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 JANUARY 15th, 2008

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.

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 Cat Acatemy is now on national tour. If you’re 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 to participate in the fun.

Find out how you can help feed homeless animals for free with a simple click.

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.”.

Our Kitten Isn’t Very Playful

Dear Carole Wilbourn:

I am fostering a five-month old female that was dropped at the Petco store on Union Square three days ago. While at Petco, she was hissing at the other kittens around her. She has been very sweet and purring from the moment we took her home. We have kept her in the bathroom for two days (mainly to deal with her fleas) but we notice that she does not play like other kittens. We tried to engage her in play and she does not respond or responds with little interest. She does not run after balls and toys. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks you,
Daniela p>

Dear Guardian Daniela:

Your little kitten may not be a kitten that lives to play. I have met many cats who prefer affection and hanging out. However, her lack of motivation, play-wise, may be a result of her previous abandonment and kitten deprivation. You may find that as she realizes she’s safe and loved, her tension will slowly dissolve and her desire to play will increase. You might try the laser light and/or a touch of catnip to relax and inspire her.

Thanks, Daniela, for sponsoring this kitten.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—Licking Away

Dear Carole Wilbourn:

My ten-year-old cat started licking his two lower nipples to the point where they bleed. This started about a year ago when he was nine. I took him to the vet and checked for cancer and other problems and it was clear. I have had him in a cone collar for the last year and supervise his grooming. When he wears the cone for a while, the area heals and looks normal. When I take off the cone for a longer period of time he will lick again to the point of bleeding. I don't know what else to do and can't understand why he does this to himself. It was suggested to me that he may have psychogenic alopecia. I can't give him any anxiety meds because he has a heart condition and already takes meds for that.

Any insight or suggestions?

Thanks,
Debbie

Dear Guardian Debbie:

Your cat’s grooming may be a symptom of psychogenic alopecia. If so, whenever he becomes anxious, he licks away. This obsessive-compulsive behavior is common in cats. His cardiac problem could add to his stress.

Diet can help the alopecia. Start him on a food with omega fatty acids and/or you can also add a supplement. This will help to lubricate his skin. See if the vet can prescribe something to ease the itching. There might be an anti-anxiety medication that won’t interfere with his cardiac medication and that will even aid his heart. My “Cat Caring” CD will relax him. The calmer he feels, the calmer he’ll behave. You might want to leave his cone on until you have this program going strong.

Sleep Deprived

Dear Carole Wilbourn:

My Ragdoll cat is just under 15 years old. This summer she has begun night crying, howling and roaming. My vet believes she is suffering from feline dementia. We have tried Seligiline but it has not helped. I am frustrated since my condo has an open floor plan and I have no respite from the noise. I can only survive on no sleep for a few days at a time. Do you have any suggestions?

Dear Guardian:

If your vet has ruled out any medical problems such as thyroid or cardiac, her annoying behavior may be a result of nocturnal angst and feeling disoriented.

I would suggest that at bedtime: make her cozy in a small room with all of her comforts. Do this in a loving way so she doesn’t feel punished. She may cry for the first few nights but will slowly begin to accept this space as her security place. A touch of lavender potpourri and soft music will also help to calm her. You might be able to take her to bed with you in the morning if she’s relaxed enough. This will give you some sleep time together. Good luck!

Litter Box Misbehavior May Be Renal Failure

Good morning Carole,

It's now 2:10 am in a beautiful Oregon coast town called Lincoln City. Though my husband and I would be happier if our dear Arnie cat was feeling and acting more like his younger self. I had a hard time sleeping because I'm worried about him. He's 19 years old, and I’m wondering if we will know or he will tell us when he is too uncomfortable to go on anymore.

This a.m. I was up for some warm chocolate milk hoping it would do it's magic on my sleep switch, so I decided to see if it would work on him too (Arnie the cat, not Steve the husband). As my husband sat just a few feet away from him, Arnie squatted on the floor and peed. Steve said stop (quietly) and I picked him up and put him in his litter box while I petted him and told him good boy. Then he promptly came back into the living room and pooped.

It breaks my heart but I'm a realist. All I'd like to ask is: Do you think that he is telling us he's tired and wants to rest in heaven? Is there a possibility that he is having kidney failure, which will mean the same thing, or in your professional opinion is there any possibility of some other cause?"

Amazon Continues To Look The Other Way

Why is it that Amazon continues to sell books on ANIMAL FIGHTING? Can their business be that bad?

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.

You should begin to notice some changes in Reggie’s demeanor in several days. If there isn’t any improvement within two weeks, it may be best to put the kitten refuge on hiatus for several months. At that time you could start again and use these recommendations. But I do hope that Reggie unloads his animosity. “You can do it Reggie!”>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..

Feral Cats

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.

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