Cat Therapist

October 19, 2004

ť CATNIP CHARISMA

I recently did a therapy session for a show, called THE MOST EXTREME, which airs on Animal Planet. "What's your opinion about catnip for cats?" was a question from someone who had seen my segment. I replied that most cats enjoy catnip whereas kittens don't usually respond. Generally, cats become excited by it, work off a clump of energy and finish with a catnap. It's a healthy way to trigger relaxation. If a cat becomes too stimulated and eventual relaxation is minimal, this is not a catnip candidate. Fresh catnip sprinkled on gift tissue paper can add to the catnip experience. The texture and sound of the crinkled paper is usually cat-appealing. I don't recommend catnip as a daily treat because its allure could disappear. My cat, Diana-Moon-Dust, is not a catnip fan, but she is the minority.

ť THE QUESTIONABLE SPRAY
Dear Carole:

Our young cat, Babis, was recently neutered. Before he was neutered, his two testicles had fully descended, so it was a routine surgery. We had read in your book THE TOTAL CAT, that sometimes, even after a cat has sexually matured, if one of the testicles doesn't descend, exploratory surgery is performed to locate and remove the undescended testicle. So we were pleased that Babis was not in that delicate category.

Anyway, suddenly Babis has started to spray. It's only been a couple of times. He didn't spray before the surgery. Why now? We, his guardians, are quite confused.

~ Peter, Rome Italy

Dear Guardian Peter:
Sounds like Babis became overstimulated and sprayed because of the excitement and culture shock of his situation. A neutered male has the ability to spray long after he's been neutered. But because he's no longer a "tom cat" (intact) the odor isn't as potent. Such deviant behavior can be triggered by anxiety, a medical problem or both.
With your Babis, his behavior should stop very soon. It usually takes about two weeks for the hormones to lower after surgery. If he seems uncomfortable, do consult your vet to rule out any medical problems. Make sure his litter box is pristine and give him endless praise and affection. If and when he does spray again, you can verbalize your dismay, but let him know you realize he's recovering and he's getting better. Be sure to praise him when he uses the litter box. Babis may need a few extra hugs to release any residual post-surgery tension. Here's to many happy days together.

ť TRIBUTE TO A WORKING THERAPY CAT
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» NEWS FLASH

ICATS & THE CITY, Monday, Nov. 1, 7:00-10 p.m., at The National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park West, N.Y.C., (Log on to my web site, www.thecattherapist.com for more information.)

» APPEARANCES

Join me at: LIBRARY APPEARANCES - New York

Oct. 21, Port Washington Library 3-5 p.m. My book, THE TOTAL CAT, will be on sale by the Library.

Nov. 9, Locust Valley Library, 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 13, Western Sullivan Public Library, 12:30-2:15 p.m. My book, Cat Talk, will be on sale.

Dec. 1, Great Neck Library, 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 3, Huntington Library, 7:30 p.m.

THERE WILL BE SELECTED FELINE GUESTS AND THEIR GUARDIANS.

Toronto Learning Annex
Join me at the Learning Annex in Toronto, January 22, '05 from 1:00-4:00, Saturday afternoon. Log on to my web site, www.thecattherapist.com for more information.

October 5, 2004

» SEPARATION ANXIETY

“Moon is missing! My cat sitter has searched the house and can’t find her,” was a frantic voice when I retrieved my messages. “I’m in Holland on business and wonder if I should catch the next flight back.” It was Emily, a client who lived in New Jersey with her two cats. She had adopted Moon a few months ago. Her older cat, Lippy, had decided Moon was ok as long as he was top cat. Moon followed his script so they were a good match. But they were still in the growing stages of their relationship. Emily’s message went on to tell me that she had her cat sitter notify the local vets, police departments and shelters. Also, “lost signs” should be posted in the vicinity. Both cat had micro chips (in their neck) for identification purposes and stretch collars with I.D. Emily asked if I would leave a message on her home phone and she would retrieve it and her cat sitter would also listen. E-mail was out of the question at her present Holland location.

I had just finished a behavioral session with two cats in North East Harbor, Maine and had a press interview scheduled with the “Bar Harbor Times.” Emily needed some immediate input. I told her that there was a strong possibility that Moon was tucked away in a cozy niche. With a THOROUGH search, she would surface. My experience has been that frequently the cat’s companion will hang out in front of the “missing” cat’s site. But not Lippy. It may have been they had a tussle with the excitement of Emily’s departure and the two were presently comfortable with Moon’s unavailability.

Lippy and Moon did spend time outdoors. At such times, he hung out in his Kittywalk Stroller and she in her enclosure on the porch. Emily was always close by. The cat sitter knew not to let the cats outdoors under any circumstances. I felt the odds would be in Moon’s favor. She was somewhere in the house.

“Carole, you were right,” was Emily’s follow-up message that evening. She went on to tell me that her sister and young niece went by to search the house and at the sound of her niece’s voice, there was a meow from a hall closet. Emily was to return home in a few days so she was doubly relieved. She left her cat sitter’s phone number so I could give her some instructions.

I told the cat sitter that whenever she left the house she should be sure that she saw the cats “face-to-face.” Unless they had a favorite closet to nestle in, all closet doors should be closed. If Moon or even Lippy seemed physically uncomfortable, she should call their vet. Although Moon needed extra reassurance and affection, Lippy should be included. If he felt rejected or neglected, he would take it out on Moon. I reminded her that the two cats were still in the midst of a new relationship and that Lippy was the first cat in residence. The better he felt, the better Moon would feel. The cat sitter thanked me and told me Emily wanted to schedule a behavioral session soon after she returned from Holland.

Moon and Lippy’s session went well. They sat next to each other while we made an audiotape of our voices with music in the background. Emily would play the tape for them to reinforce the desensitization of the session for on-going therapy and an emotional message. Unfortunately, Emily’s cassette player had broken the day she left for Holland so the cats didn’t have their taped security object.

I told Emily that a former client’s cat was nowhere in sight when they were about to return home from the country. “I bet if you put on their tape she’ll appear,” said the husband. Sure enough on went the tape and out she came. She’d been sound asleep in a dresser drawer. The husband had long tired of the tape but he knew his cat hadn’t.
“Well now they’ll have their new tape and I’m going to have it burned into a C.D. so there won’t be any slip-ups,” said Emily.

Separation anxiety, when a guardian goes away, can sometimes wreak havoc with cats. Consult my book THE TOTAL CAT, for more information. (www.thecattherapist.com)

» NEWS FLASH

I will be at the Port Washington Library on Long Island on October 21, at 3:00p.m. Join me and my guest feline companions. Bring along your cat questions. I look forward to meeting you.

» For MORE INFO, ask the cat therapist