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, November ’08
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
If you’re wondering if Orion is okay with how his young
friend is holding him, the answer is yes. Orion is my media mate. In one of my presentations, he sat in 42 laps. His reaction reflected how relaxed each attendee was. He even managed to desensitize an attendee who was fearful she might upset him. No way! It was a double win. The attendees loved holding Orion, and he adored the attention. Recognition, affection, and being the only cat, have been the winning prescription for Orion’s disturbing, post- traumatic-stress disorder. There were so many symptoms. He had flashbacks of panic where he’d give out a terrified cry and run for cover. His dining place was the bathroom. He preferred stroking while he ate. A touch of bronchial asthma was another symptom. Drooling, and a drippy eye were two other players that were triggered by stress. But two months ago, these symptoms just about vanished. I adopted Orion two years ago from a Siamese Rescue in California. They had taken him from a shelter. November 4, we’ll celebrate our connection. Orion is feeling, particularly heady these days. He was recently featured in “New York Magazine’s” centerfold—his kind of therapy.
GUARDIAN V.S. OWNER
I recently gave a behavioral presentation at the Connetquot Public Library in Bohemia, Long Island. One of the high-points was when I gave an IDA Guardian T-shirt to the guardian who had the oldest cat. This cat was 19 years old, and her former cat lived to be 21. The guardian was very pleased to receive the shirt. She mentioned how she loved the idea of wearing a t-shirt that says: “I am my cat’s guardian, not owner.”
BLOODY NIPS OUT OF THE BLUE
Hi Carole,
I’m so glad to have found you. Maybe you can help me cure my cat of biting me. Lucky is 5 years old, playful, and happy. Yet there are times, when out of the blue, he will go for blood. I'm not talking about playful nips to get my attention or to engage me in play. I'm talking about scar-leaving MEAN bites. The vet says he is still trying to assert his dominance over me. I try kitty time-out and scolding him, but after a bit, he does it again. Luckily the weather is getting colder so I have more clothing protection. What is up with my guy? Thanks for any help or advice you can provide.
Sharon, Rochester, N.Y.
Hello Sharon,
It sounds like the single cat syndrome. Lucky is treating you the way he would treat a companion cat. You’ve become his cat, and it can get hairy. If he had a playmate, he could work his energy out in a playful, cat-like manner with another cat—instead of you—as a surrogate. It is not too late to get Lucky a playmate, but you would want to match his catsonality. A three or four month old kitten or young, very playful cat would be a good choice. Gender is not a priority but demeanor and disposition are. Lucky needs a companion who loves to play and who will adore him. Yes, another Lucky fan.
Remember, Sharon, you want to find a companion who will bond first with Lucky, rather than one who will jump into your lap. Once they become an item, you can reach out to the newcomer. The right introduction is a key factor in this new relationship. You will find a chapter in my book that addresses this. (Refer to the top of this page for info.)
Wave good-bye to “bloody nips”!
MY SENIOR CAT IS URINATING ON THE FLOOR
Hello Carole,
My fifteen year old, spayed cat, has never been very friendly or trusting. We adopted her when she was a year old. She may have been mistreated. I recently took her to the vet because she was urinating on the rug and futon. He examined her, but didn’t find anything wrong with her. She was okay for a while, but now she’s started to urinate on the floor. I love her very much. What can I do to help her?
Thanks,
F.R.
Hello F.R.,
It sounds like your senior cat is uncomfortable. Her incidents are a way of letting you know. You could provide her with a second litter box, and fill it with strips of paper towels or wee wee pads. She may prefer the softness of the paper to the feel of the commercial litter. But because she is a senior cat, there may be a problem with her kidneys. A urinalysis and blood test are usually needed to determine if this is so. If she does have a kidney problem, she may need fluid therapy. With instructions from the vet, you can do this at home. Diet is very important, and filtered water usually contains fewer minerals than tap water which will be easier on her kidneys. With proper management, a cat’s life can often be extended two or three years. Best of luck to you and your cat!
I’M PREGNANT AND HECTOR IS POOPING ALL OVER
Hello Carole,
For just over a month, our previously perfectly litter-trained, well-behaved four-year-old male neutered cat, Hector, has been acting out in a disturbing way. While he still uses his litter box to urinate, he is now pooping all over the house - in the bathtub, on the bed, behind the couch while I am watching TV!
I am six weeks pregnant. Could he sense the baby and is he resentful? I should mention that Hector is very attached to me. I rescued him from a shelter earlier this year, and before I lived with my fiance, he lived alone with me for several months. I play with him and brush him daily. He head-butts me and follows me around the house like a dog. I love him but this pooping behavior is driving me crazy! What can I do?
Thank you,
Tasha
Hello Tasha,
Yes, Hector may be anxious because of your forthcoming baby. He can sense the baby by your breathing and can sense that your body and demeanor are different. This could make him anxious, and his incidents may be anxiety attacks to alert you to his uneasiness. Keep telling him that he's your first born (tongue in cheek); mention his name when you talk about the baby. Make sure his litter box is pristine. He may even be constipated. You can try adding Laxatone to his food or giving him a food with more fiber. Be sure to praise him whenever he uses his litter box. Give him lots of hugs to release his tension. You could also brush him when you’re watching TV. Tell Hector that he’s going to be a terrific teacher to the baby. Tasha, with your sensitivity, Hector should recover from his anxiety. My CD will help to relax him. (Take a look at the top of this page.) The best to the four of you!
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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